Let's Go Fly a Kite!

White-tailed Kite Takeoff

Since having been to the San Diego Zoo, I've made only a couple trips to Bolsa Chica Environmental Reserve. But, those trips were very fruitful! The Kites were active and showing off. I learned that patience pays off, sitting on the bench for hours near where these beautiful little raptors liked to perch and stage their flights.

I love arriving before sunrise so I can get a few interesting shots before walking out to where the birds are. I'm including a couple here, mainly shot with my iPhone.

Sharing in the gallery below are the results of some rapid shooting with my Canon R5 MKII at 15-30 frames per second. Hence the Kite landing and takeoff shots. I am also throwing in a few images of a Northern Harrier, Double-crested Cormorant, Turkey Vulture and a White Pelican skidding to a stop on the water. Oh, and a cute little Burrowing Owl that lives under a bridge. In the photo where its head is turned, you can zoom in and see a reflection in his eye of a crowd of his / her admirers standing at the fence above.

Enjoy!

Steve