It was enthralling to watch the juvenile Black-shouldered Kite hovering above the grasslands, it was less pleasant to watch it prepare its catch.
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris) – juvenile with mouse
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 800
When I saw this happening it looked as though the hapless mouse was fighting back. Looking at the image, details of the mouse’s injuries are visible and they look substantial so perhaps the mouse had been held upright by the kite and was dropping back to the post. I hope the injuries, along with the shock of being captured, were enough to have ended the mouse’s life.
Black-shoulder Kites are about 36cm and weigh up to about 300g. Adult birds are stark grey with white heads and underparts and black shoulder patches. Juveniles have a warm russet wash and pale tips to their wings.
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris) – juvenile with mouse
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 800
These birds have remarkable eyesight. I watched this bird for some time as it flew back and forth along the coastal grasslands. Occasionally it would hover for a while before moving on, less frequently it would hover and dive.
I have a series of images showing the mouse being skinned but my stomach’s not up to processing them today – sorry about that.
Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)
1/800, f/5.6, ISO 3200
Instead I thought I’d finish with an image of the Swamp Wallaby that was watching the proceedings and no doubt feeling pleased to be too big to be considered edible by the local raptors.
Happy birding, and wallabying
Kim
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[…] Black-shouldered Kites are about 36cm in length and weigh a bit under 300g. The parent birds returned to feed their youngster, which will soon be foraging for itself, hovering over the grasslands before dropping down on its prey. These kites often eat their prey on the wing but if they’ve caught something larger they will perch to eat, in earlier posts I have images of kites eating mice, including here: Mouse fights back? […]
I think it is great to be able to capture nature, in everyday. Being out there and able to witness the web of life I think is a privilege. Thanks for sharing.
Oh thank you Ian! So sorry I only saw your comment today, I don’t know how I missed it for so long. I definitely agree about being out in nature 🙂
Superb photography, Kim.
Thank you Neil
looks to me like that little mouse was saying a prayer before being devoured, Great photography though Kim.
That’s a sweet thought Dona, the mouse saying its prayers at the same time as the kite’s prayers have been answered 🙂
First image is a prize winner.
Thank you Debbie, maybe I’ll see about entering it somewhere
I don’t think size is relative and the wallaby would be good tucker for a pair of Wedgetails. I recall two taking it in turns swooping an Eastern Grey Kangaroo that was cornered in a paddock for hours. They may have been waiting for the joey to emerge or just tire out the kangaroo because they would not let it rest.
I’ve seen videos of scenes like you’re mentioning, maybe it was one of yours – amazing to watch. Luckily for this wallaby though I’ve not spotted wedgies out there and the local raptors I was referring to are BS Kites, kestrels and swampies – though I’m sure they’d make the most of any opportunity to spend time with a small or sick wallaby.
Eww that’s well rotten. Poor mouse! Funny kangaroo!! Beautiful photos though.
The luck of the draw eh, prey or predator. I think this is the first time my images have been rightly called ‘well rotten’ and ‘beautiful’ in the same comment, thank you Tam
Brilliant but poignant shots Kim, c’est la vie eh?
Thank you Alison, definitely c’est la vie!
I too hope the mouse’s demise was quick. They need to eat and I know that, but my wimpy tummy doesn’t like to see it.
And yes, the swamp wallaby is indeed thanking its lucky stars it is too big for the Kite.
I’m glad our wimpy tummies agreed about not posting the gorier images