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Maestro
May-19-2008, 07:26 PM
Better light this time too...

This one had actually flown in front of my vehicle as my son and I were heading off to church. He yelled, "Look Daddy! A Mississippi Kite!" He's six years old. I guess he does listen to me at times. :D After I got out of the truck this same kite flew down from its perch and snagged insects off the ground twice. The second time it came within about 5 feet of me. They seem very habituated to humans. They have chosen to nest in a neighborhood with large old growth cottonwoods, pecans and oaks. People are all around so that helps me out as I try to get closer.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/Raptors/MississippiKiteHighPerch.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/Raptors/MississippiKiteHighPerch2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/Raptors/MississippiKiteHighPerch3.jpg

Sunbathing it seems.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/Raptors/MississippiKiteWingsSpread1.jpg
Ric Grupe
May-19-2008, 08:21 PM
:clapThose last two are very nice, Stephen.:clap

Wait till your my age and your sons (3 of 'em) start telling you things that you told them years ago like it was their idea!
dbaker1221
May-20-2008, 04:13 AM
good captures Stephen..:clap I like the last one best:clap
Giphsub
May-20-2008, 04:45 AM
Cool captures Stephen! You got your kid kid trained well! :clap
Maestro
May-20-2008, 07:11 PM
:clapThose last two are very nice, Stephen.:clap

Wait till your my age and your sons (3 of 'em) start telling you things that you told them years ago like it was their idea!

Thanks Ric. My wife already does that so I should be prepared.
Maestro
May-20-2008, 07:12 PM
good captures Stephen..:clap I like the last one best:clap
Thanks Dave. That is my favorite one too.
bfjr
May-20-2008, 08:56 PM
very nice

the kites here in SoCal are anything but appraochable :cry
Jim T
May-21-2008, 04:44 AM
Stephen, I am SOOOO enjoying these! The red eyes and the coloring what a fantastic raptor! the expression on the sunbathing shot...:clap It's almost like he/she is saying "just look how handsome I am."

Thanks again for sharing.
Maestro
May-21-2008, 06:18 AM
Cool captures Stephen! You got your kid kid trained well! :clap

Thanks Mike. As far as my son goes, I have him trained well in certain things. :wink
Harryb
May-21-2008, 01:06 PM
Good set Stephen. :thumb
Maestro
May-21-2008, 04:45 PM
very nice

the kites here in SoCal are anything but appraochable :cry

Yes but I sure would like to find a white tailed kite like you have in SoCal. Thanks for compliment on the photos.
PrescottPhotog
May-21-2008, 04:50 PM
Better light this time too...

I'll say Stephen.. excellent light. I really like #2 you caught the light perfectly..:clap
Maestro
May-21-2008, 04:53 PM
Stephen, I am SOOOO enjoying these! The red eyes and the coloring what a fantastic raptor! the expression on the sunbathing shot...:clap It's almost like he/she is saying "just look how handsome I am."

Thanks again for sharing.

Thanks Jim. I am certainly enjoying photographing these kites. They are so much fun to watch and they are very photogenic. I do like that sunbathing shot as well. It does look quite smug with that head-turn. :D
Maestro
May-22-2008, 03:57 AM
Good set Stephen. :thumb

Thanks Harry.
Maestro
May-22-2008, 03:57 AM
I'll say Stephen.. excellent light. I really like #2 you caught the light perfectly..:clap

Thanks Chris. I like the eye contact in that one.
riddim_maker
May-22-2008, 09:17 PM
great capture Stephen :clap :clap :clap
Haven't seen any kites yet in L.A. this year
This helps me to enjoy your post even more:thumb
Maestro
May-23-2008, 08:18 AM
Thanks Russ. I hope you see those kites soon. Like I mentioned upthread, I'd love to photograph the white tailed kites you have in SoCal.
WildWally
May-23-2008, 03:01 PM
Very cool shots ...
They are beautiful birds , which I never got to see in person :cry Are they much smaller than a red-tail , maybe like a Kestral ?? There eyes are so cool !!!
Maestro
May-23-2008, 03:46 PM
Very cool shots ...
They are beautiful birds , which I never got to see in person :cry Are they much smaller than a red-tail , maybe like a Kestral ?? There eyes are so cool !!!

Thanks WildWally. Their eyes are one of the aspects I like most about them. As far as their size, they are bigger than kestrels, but quite a bit smaller than red tailed hawks. I'd say they are crow size, perhaps a bit bigger, with slender, sleek bodies.