whistling kite

Whistling Kite

Whistling Kite

Whistling Kite

I can't quite remember whether it was Alex or June first spotted the Whistling Kite on the beach. In order for me to try and get a picture (we needed that to try and get the ID!), I had to pile up some some paving slabs to stand on (on tiptoes), so I could see over the fence. Then I had to...

This was quite unplanned, I was taking a picture of two behind this one, you can see one off to the right, when this guy swooped down right in front of me. I'm quite surprised it was reasonably in focus too. Couldn't possibly delete this one, could I LOL

We weren't quite done with the kites, as they seemed to accompany us on our cruise; here's a couple above the cliffs which lined the far side of the river bank. It was flatter on the town side.

When I shoot in burst mode, I don't always know exactly what the camera has recorded... so it wasn't until I downloaded this set that I realised what I'd got! Was really taken by this upside-down pose.

To redress the balance I then managed to get two kites up in the clouds. It was nice to see white fluffy ones after the wall-to-wall greyness of the morning. I was pleased to get the lower kite with his legs extended too.

After the pests went away, the crew threw some chum out and the action started. My pictures aren't as good as Ann's eagle ones, but I'm fairly pleased with the results. Here a Whistling Kite flew low over the water, allowing us to see his upperpart plumage and pale tail.

Round the other side of the island, birds began to appear from all sides, particularly Whistling Kites and Silver Gulls. However, there was also a pesky speedboat with some youngsters aboard who came speeding round and round us. We sat tight and ignored them so they gave up in the end. The...

Finally we were on board the boat and ready for our Murray River trip. A dream of mine since childhood. And.... the clouds of the morning had gone and the sun was shining. We soon got across to the what I thought was the other side of the river, but in fact it was an island and we went through...

A call from above alerted us... and through a gap in the branches I managed to spot a Whistling Kite flying over the woods. Really wasn't sure if I'd get him in but it seems to have worked not too badly. More of these guys to follow later.

We'd not even got through the gate when a Whistling Kite was spotted overhead.... so out I get to get a few shots. I was quite pleased with this one.

After lunch we set off to drive around the reserve. Hans had hear whispers of a Black Buzzard, both though we found the location, there was no sign of the bird. On the drive found this Whistling Kite who flew around for a bit and had a battle with a Black Kite, and I'll show you him later...

We still hadn't left the tree area where the bee-eater was, when there was some excitement above. Ken eventually worked it out for me... another Lifer with a Whistling Kite being mobbed by a Torresian Crow.

School Holidays have started so taking the grandchildren away for a couple of days hence this second post before we are off .

Whistling Kite coming in for a landing after s/he and the Black Kite did their job of scaring up the waders for us.

... or perhaps his mother. We saw more Whistling Kites than Black Kites once we were out in the countryside.

Dissapeared from view after this shot , shortly after was seen sitting in a tree eating a fish caught from the lagoon it was diving down to .

Hundreds of these and Black kites feeding on Road Kill out West .