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.
Not Landing Anytime Soon, KiteNot Landing Anytime Soon, Kite
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.
Not Landing Anytime Soon, KiteNot Landing Anytime Soon, Kite
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.
Once he takes off someone must wait around for him to land. This bird loves to fly and will, for hours at a time.
Yellow-billed Kite
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.
Yellow-billed Kite
Above, this Kite was anxiously waiting for the jesses (falconry leg ties) to be loosened.
Yellow-billed Kite
As soon as they were he jumped and started to soar.
Yellow-billed Kite
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.
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.
Glossy Ibis
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.
Glossy Ibis
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.