Mississippi Kite

I am in NW Oklahoma this week and managed to do a bit of photography while here. It has been overcast today, but there was a brief glint of blue showed up behind this handsome Kite. Notice it has a Cicada in its talon! Shot in a residential area in Enid, Oklahoma.

40D, f/10, 700mm, 1/800, ISO 320, uncropped

Nice capture Dan, too bad it could not have found a more photogenic perch for you. Nice and warm out there in Enid?

I've never seen so many Kites, but they are all in town and perch on wires or antennas! I finally got a couple of shots of one in a cedar tree, but it is not great shot. And yes it is warm here, but much cooler Tuesday and Wednesday.

Well, these shots beat anything I've got of this attractive kite. A less steep shooting angle would also have been a plus.

Dan, nicer perch in the second. Funny how birds can be so uncooperative at times.

I have not seen one of these kites before. Should I be looking for them in SW MO?

Sure seems that you do a lot of traveling.

If I've ever seen one of these I didn't know enough to make a positive id. A beautiful bird that's for sure. Thanks for sharing Daniel.

iBird Pro shows the south half of Missouri as part of the summer range for Mississippi Kites. They are one of the few hawks that circle around like vultures when soaring. They like to eat insects, but can eat lizards, small rodents, and even small birds. We have them here in South Arkansas, but not as many as I saw in Enid.

Here is a shot of one soaring overhead. Lighting was whiteout and so detail is poor.

Thanks Dan.