Back in April I posted an image of Whistling Kites playing catch with what appears to be a rabbit bone. There were several requests to share more images of the kites’ playfulness, so here they are, along with a sweet Valentine Kite with a flower.
Whistling Kites (Haliastur sphenurus) – juveniles playing catch with a bone
The above image is the one I posted in April, it heads the series although by the time I’d taken this image we had watched the kite with the bone being followed by the ‘catcher’ for several minutes.
Whistling Kites (Haliastur sphenurus) – juveniles playing catch with a bone
The acrobatics were remarkable! Despite being such large, scruffy birds Whistling Kites are super agile in flight.
Whistling Kites (Haliastur sphenurus) – juveniles playing catch with a bone
I like the concentration apparent in the bird that’s hoping to catch the bone – it really was amazing to watch these birds honing their skills.
Whistling Kites (Haliastur sphenurus)
Whistling Kites (Haliastur sphenurus)
Whistling Kites (Haliastur sphenurus)
I’m not sure what the ‘clump’ is, it could be a clod of mud/grass or maybe a small mammal or part of a mammal.
Whistling Kites (Haliastur sphenurus)
Seeing the kite above carrying a flower in its bill was super cute, especially as it was Valentine’s weekend when I took the image – what a romantic bird.
I’m in the process of choosing images for an exhibition later in the year, if anyone has a favourite from those I’ve shared on lirralirra please send me an email or leave a comment, thank you!
Happy birding
Kim
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Kim you really have captured some wonderful images here – I love your work and thank you
Thank you so much Jan 🙂
Your photographs are just amazing. Love them all.
Aw Joyce, you are so lovely!
Brilliant as always Kim! I love these fellahs.
Thanks Evie! I hope you get to see some playing too.
Thanks tons Kim, have just spent a few weeks at Farina surrounded by Black Kites and two Buzzards – your shots of these engaging raptors are really colossal.
You’ve made my day, ta, Doug.
I just googled Farina and see that it’s very near where I was a couple of weeks ago. I’m guessing that you may have been camping at the station – how awesome! Could you let me know, either here or by email, if you saw many birds other than the kites and buzzards? I love that part of the world, and I’m glad you enjoyed this week’s images, thanks for letting me know.
Wow, how outstanding. You captured it so well and it shows the fun they are having.
Thank you Thomas, I could hardly believe what I was seeing, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
These really are remarkable shots! Such fascinating behaviour that you caught in the briefest of moments.
It’s hard to pick favourites! I love your baby welcome swallows, yellow robin, baby tawny frogmouths and of course the beautiful grey teal. I’ve just had a blank on the species, but the White birds with the long tail flying over Lord Howe Island is spectacular. It’s very hard to choose!
Thank you for thinking of all of those! I have some included and will check the others.
Great shots Kim, again😀
Will definitely think about a ‘favourite’
Warm regards
Alison
Thank you Alison! I’ve had a few people look at a group of images now, the differences in their choices is so fascinating 🙂
Wow, wow and wow.
Love them all, but the first and second shots are my favourite. And how I love to see birds/animals playing to develop their skills. Just as the ‘so-called’ superior race does.
I was there with my youngest daughter and we both loved seeing the kites ‘playing’, I’m glad you enjoyed sharing the moment with us.