Of course I changed to a shorter lens just as some Swallow-tailed Kites showed up. This was a chance for great photographs.

I knew I was shooting short, the Kites were too high, and I have no practice with them. These birds survive by being the ultimate acrobats, catching dragonfly in flight, with their claws. Even our Mississippi Kites don’t dance like them.

Few birds can twist and turn like these birds, so no practice with them limits results. You can’t get practice because they are just arriving here, these are South American birds that will venture into Florida.

The last 2 – 3 years have seen a few migrating around here. Now this year there are small flocks.

Perhaps within my 200 bad images I may find some good ones. I did catch several capturing insects and eating in flight, but really bad photos. I may see more in the next month or so though.

Now I need to submit the coordinates to DNR as they track and document these arrivals.