Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: Dinusaur on August 28, 2018, 08:32:17 PM

Title: Swallow-tailed Kite
Post by: Dinusaur on August 28, 2018, 08:32:17 PM
Another rarity showed up recently in Southern Ontario - a Swallow-tailed Kite reported near Wasaga Beach area. Five hours of baking in the sun today (Aug 28, 2018) was rewarded when this beauty showed up from its hiding place and started catching/eating insects in flight. Such a graceful flier.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1874/42525536570_2a3aab3db6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/27MQuso)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1880/42525538360_12a50e8b67_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/27MQuZf)
Title: Re: Swallow-tailed Kite
Post by: Ally on August 28, 2018, 08:51:46 PM
wow, nice catch! Is he picking his beak?
Title: Re: Swallow-tailed Kite
Post by: Paul O'Toole on August 29, 2018, 06:46:25 AM
Great, not hard to ID this bird with that forked tail.
Title: Re: Swallow-tailed Kite
Post by: cairnstone on August 29, 2018, 09:59:02 AM
I do believe we met yesterday Dinusaur. I was worried that you had given up and left by the time the bird made an appearance. I was on the brink of leaving at one point because of the heat but changed my mind and stuck it out. I am glad I did as we had pretty close views of the kite and I got some good photos.
Title: Re: Swallow-tailed Kite
Post by: Dinusaur on August 29, 2018, 08:15:22 PM
Quote from: "cairnstone"
I do believe we met yesterday Dinusaur. I was worried that you had given up and left by the time the bird made an appearance. I was on the brink of leaving at one point because of the heat but changed my mind and stuck it out. I am glad I did as we had pretty close views of the kite and I got some good photos.


It was nice meeting you too - such a great fun to spend 5 hours in misery together with like-minded folks. I briefly went to Tim Horton's for a cold drink. When I returned to the original location I saw all cars gone. Then a person told me that they were all on Concession Road 12. So, it was a close call - lucky that it kept flying and feeding itself.
Title: Re: Swallow-tailed Kite
Post by: Napper on August 29, 2018, 09:00:04 PM
Wow! Nice capture

I use Klondike park and Concession 12 to  Flos rd 4 most weekends on the way to our place in Tiny township.

I guess I'll have to keep my eyes open this weekend.

It  is a very interesting place, the Nottawasaga river snakes through the farms and forests in the area. Lots of low areas with Carolinian type trees (Black Walnut, Willow's etc).

hmmm.. I saw something last summer closer to the old bridge on Flos rd 4. Could it have been?


Napper :)