They are a permanent resident on the coasts of the Southeastern United States.
In theory they prefer marshes. I see them all along the shore. Personally I think they prefer outdoor seafood restaurants.
These shots were taken on a dike (lately that’s a pretty safe bet), sitting on the top of a water gate – Trunk.
Above the wider tail shows the difference between them and the Common Grackle. Also the female is a chocolate brown.
We knew he would be up there for a while. Yellow-billed Kites, all Kites, are born to fly. Once this guy gets started you photograph and wait. Mostly wait because he’s fast and agile.
His handler didn’t even bother with his glove as the Kite dive bombed us. It was too early on.
Actually when I left to shoot owl portraits the Kite was still going strong. Maybe an hour later the bird flew into the woods with us, passed through is better description. He didn’t stop just looked at us.
Some birds can be flown at other locations, fund raisers, but I’m guessing Kites stay home at the center.
Note; all the birds that exercise loose are fitted with small tracking devices. They have been needed, but not often.
Avian Conservation Center / Birds Of Prey.
Not much you need to say about these birds.
The Great Horned Owl is found in both North and South America. They stand about 2 feet tall, have a 5 foot wing span, and weigh 4 pounds.
They have a loud deep call that will wake a photographer in the middle of night, cause them to sit up, even sneak outside to listen.
Avian Conservation Center.
Once he takes off someone must wait around for him to land. This bird loves to fly and will, for hours at a time.
Kites catch and eat their prey in the air never coming down until it’s rest time. They drink from rivers flying in the air. Mid summer we have Mississippi Kites circling our house all day catching dragonfly’s.
Above, this Kite was anxiously waiting for the jesses (falconry leg ties) to be loosened.
As soon as they were he jumped and started to soar.
At one point he briefly landed in a tree.
I can say he was flying for hours. I was done photographing him, moved off into a wooded area and started working with Owls. At one point a big bird flew right through us and went off into the air again.
It was the Kite, checking us and moving on.
Taken at the Birds Of Brey / Avian Conservation Center, Charleston.
Perched over a large pond, fed by the Cooper River, I expected to at least catch a good dive.
This was it, never moved.
The above was more about getting a quick first shot, checking settings, etc. however…
This was once a favorite nesting location. Storms and a few too many years have taken a toll.
It still works pretty good if there isn’t too many at the same time.
It was a good day.
Roseate Spoonbill.
I don’t see many Glossy Ibis and when I do they are out in a wide open marsh. So they pretty much see us coming and leave.
A few were traveling with Storks and Spoonbills who are not as shy as these Glossy. The Ibis hose to stay with the flock.
Their coloring is iridescent in the right light.
They have a small range in the US, most stay in Florida. Even Central America has only a few usual spots. The Glossy Ibis is more wide spread in Africa.
Of course the last few years all the rules have changed.
