Sunday, June 21, 2009

Whistling Kite

Yesterday morning I decided to go for a walk along the foreshore at Tin Can Bay to look for waders as well as whatever other birds were around. I was at the southern end close to Crab Creek and was trying to find a Kingfisher which had briefly flashed across in front of me when I heard the distinctive sound of Whistling Kites somewhere overhead. Usually these birds glide overhead and then out of view but this time I spotted two birds sitting in the sunshine and preening. These two saw me but then decided they could ignore me and get on with the important task of putting every feather into place. They looked rather different from their usual sleek selves with their feathers all fluffed up.
Ten minutes later they had both left their perch and I saw one gliding overhead.
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14 comments:

  1. TarzanJune 21, 2009 at 6:31 PM

    Hi Mick,
    Once again great photos of the Whistling Kite. Hope the weather has been nice to you down your way it hasn't really been that good up here so haven't had the chance to get the camera out.

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  2. gwenJune 21, 2009 at 9:13 PM

    Super photos of the Whistling Kites, Mick. Did you spot the Kingfisher again? Was it an Azure Kingfisher?

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  3. Midmarsh JohnJune 21, 2009 at 9:58 PM

    Lovely close up photos of the Whistling Kites, Mick. With those powerful hooked beaks I guess they are mean hunters when not preening themselves.

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  4. AnonymousJune 22, 2009 at 12:14 AM

    Nice photos, and great behavior capture. I particularly enjoy photos of birds I haven't yet seen, so this is a really treat!

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  5. mickJune 22, 2009 at 5:33 AM

    Hi Tarzan, Gwendolen, John, and Wren. Thanks for visiting and commenting. Still showers here and enough to make you really wet if you get caught out in one. Birding around the backyard only in these conditions. I didn't see the Kingfisher again - I think it was the Forest Kingfisher that I have seen there before but still haven't got good photos of.

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  6. Bob KaufmanJune 22, 2009 at 12:39 PM

    Just your luck to have not one but two Whistling Kites pose for you, Mick. Awesome photos!

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  7. Dawn FineJune 22, 2009 at 2:34 PM

    Very cool birds!

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  8. mickJune 22, 2009 at 3:21 PM

    Hi Bob and Cynthia and Dawn. Thanks for visiting. I was lucky to find the two birds together. Mostly you just sight them overhead.

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  9. Tricia RyderJune 23, 2009 at 4:15 AM

    What a wonderful spot Mick and to get such good shots of them too. Nice one!! :D

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  10. LarryJune 23, 2009 at 11:21 PM

    Gorgeous captures of the Whistling Kites Mick! Yet another raptor I have never seen. I have a special love of raptors and these are really beautiful birds. Thanks for sharing them.

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  11. mickJune 24, 2009 at 7:21 AM

    Thanks for commenting Tricia and Larry.

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  12. tilcheffJune 24, 2009 at 11:30 AM

    Thanks for sharing, Mick! It always very exciting to see raptors from relatively short distance.
    Cheers!

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  13. mickJune 24, 2009 at 12:27 PM

    Just what I think as well Nickolay. Too often they are too far overhead

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  14. TonyCJuly 9, 2009 at 8:45 AM

    Nice set of photos Mick, I'll be up in your neck of the woods in August, it would be good to catch up if possible. Cheers tony

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