Swallow-Tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
I don't know about you, but for me, certain birds just make me stop and watch them. Some birds just inspire a sense of awe in me when I encounter them. Eagles, whether Bald or Golden or some other species, always get my attention. It makes sense, given their size and power. However, there is another, another raptor, one that is much smaller and not at all "powerful" looking that I just can't help but want to spend time with; the swallow-tailed kite. It is the grace and awesome flight lines that this bird exhibits while living upon the rising air currents so prevalent in Florida that makes it such a wonder to me. This bird can really fly.
We are lucky here in Florida to have a fairly large breeding population of these awesome birds of prey. As a bird photographer I have been drawn to try to photograph these kites ever since I saw my first individual many years ago. Over the years I did get some images, but they were poor as they were taken during harsh light with the bird soring over head. I believe this is how a majority of people see this bird; mid-day soring in a thermal high above.
More recently however, I have been able to watch and photograph this bird under much better circumstances. All I can say is wow. What a great bird and what a difficult photographic subject. A basically black and white bird that presents a very difficult profile to get any kind of focus on; especially against any kind of nice background other than the sky. They also do some very awesome things while flying; like foraging, eating, drinking, and bathing. Oh, they also can do inverted loops. What more could a bird photographer ask for? Not much.
Below are some of my favorite images I have been able to capture of this species. I hope you enjoy them as much as I.
If you are interested in capturing some of your own images of this elegant and elusive raptor, I do offer workshops specifically to photograph this wonderful bird. Click here for more information
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6 Comments
Mar 20, 2016, 8:01:58 AM
paschal karl - hay Ron.. long time nature photog here and new to Fl.. and I'm dying to shoot the SW Kite.. like u say , they are mesmerizing!! I only have a few poor shots from up here around Williston Fl where I winter.. and would love to find an area where I can get better shots or at least see them on a more consistant basis.. what can u do for me as far as advice on some general locations/time of year or with guided work with you??? thanx..
Aug 19, 2015, 9:21:57 AM
Weng Lim - Hi Ron,
I would like to sign up for peak time next year please.
Weng
Jul 30, 2015, 7:18:33 PM
Ursula Dubrick - Ron, thanks for a wonderful experience photographing the Swallow-Tailed Kites. If anyone is looking for a tour guide that not only is a phenomenal photographer, but can place you in the best possible position on his beautifully equipped pontoon boat to get amazing images, Ron is the guy!
Jan 5, 2015, 2:42:26 AM
Dave Kaufmann - Ron ,
Thank you for sharing your inspiring captures .
We have not frequented Viera as much as we would like in the past year .
All the best
Elizabeth & Dave K
Sep 6, 2014, 9:30:29 PM
Paul Leader - Beautiful work!!! Do you have enough room in your pontoon boat for a wheelchair. I photograph with a monopod attached to the wheelchair or from a Tahoe auto window. Thanks Paul
Aug 29, 2014, 6:54:42 PM
Mike Fitzgerald - All great images Ron. You really captured this behavior this year. Well done!!