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Michael T. Barrett
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Aug
9
We had such a good time last weekend in Glennville, we decided to venture down to view the Swallow-Tailed Kites one more time. Last weekend, there were just six of us observing the birds. This weekend we had quite a few more.
After meeting at the Little Rock Baptist Church, Gene Wilkinson led us all about a half mile away to observe the arrival of the Swallow-Tailed Kites. It didn’t take long before the first kite came soaring into view.
The Swallow-Tailed Kites are one of the most graceful birds to watch, as they soar high on the wind, dive down toward their prey, and then glide peacefully just feet off the ground eating their catch.
Within minutes, we had 20 Swallow-Tailed Kites flying over the field.
There were plenty of June bugs popping all over the field, and the kites had a field day chasing them down.
At one point they birds were flying directly overhead and I thought for a moment they may drop their lunch right on top of our heads.
We spent about 2 hours watching these magnificent birds perform their acrobatic stunts, and then we ventured down the road to Jekyll Island again. This time we arrived at low tide and we were able to observe many more birds than we did last weekend.
We got a few photos, but many of the birds were so far offshore we could only see them in the scope.
After spending some quality time at the beach, and visiting with Josh Spence, who we just happened to run into at Gould’s Inlet, we began our journey home again.
All in all it was a wonderful day, just as we had hoped. We got to see the magnificence of the Swallow-Tailed Kites again, but the highlight was adding eight, yes eight, life birds to our lists.
It will be a while before we can make it back down there, but we’re already looking forward to birding the Georgia Coast this fall.
Sphere: Related ContentAug
2
Swallow-Tailed Kites Are Magnificent!
Category: Birding, Life | Leave a Comment | 600 words | Print
As I mentioned yesterday, we were on the road by 4:45 yesterday morning.
Our journey would take us 4 and a half hours toward the Southeast to Glennville, Georgia. The boys handled the drive very well, considering none of them got more than 3 hours sleep because they were so excited about making the trip. We arrived at the location to view the Swallow-Tailed Kites just after 9, and met up with the infamous Mark McShane.
It didn’t take long before the first Swallow-Tailed Kite arrived to start feasting on June bugs.
The excitement grew as more and more of these magnificent birds arrived. I was so taken by their beauty, I almost forgot to snap photos. In fact, I didn’t get nearly as many photographs as I had hoped. I wasn’t focusing on lighting or the fact that there were nearly five dozen birds soaring above our heads.
As I loaded the photos from the trip onto the computer, I noticed that I didn’t get any “flock photos” to speak of. I have several photos that show 4-5 birds, but none that showed the enormous number of birds flying around. Our oldest son got some video that I will be processing sometime this week, so hopefully he got some good shots of the birds together.
It was awesome watching them soar high above in the sky, then dive straight down until they were about one foot off the ground, only the turn at just the right moment and grab the June bugs. As they soared across the grass they were feeding on the wing, never stopping for a second.
A few hours later, they were gone again. They show up around the same time each morning and disappear to parts unknown a few hours later. Today’s trip was one of those “you have to do this once in your lifetime” moments, although I can see us making a return trip again very, very, soon.
Not long after the Swallow-Tailed Kites arrived, a few Mississippi Kites joined the feast.
You wouldn’t know it from my photograph, but the Mississippi Kites are much smaller than their feasting counterparts.
When it was obvious that the Swallow-Tailed Kites had departed for the day, we ventured down the road toward Brunswick, Georgia. The boys and I had never been there, and it was the perfect opportunity to see a few more birds.
We arrived at high-tide, so we didn’t get the chance to see too man shorebirds, which serves us right because Gidget was sitting at home while we were on the beach.
We watched Brown Pelicans fly up and down the shoreline, diving into the water, as if no one else was there.
After a few hours exploring the Brunswick area, we fueled up the truck and made the trip home.
We walked in the door at 9:15, 16 and a half hours later. It was exhausting, but it was fun, and we’re already planning our next trip so Gidget can go with us.
The boys traveled well, and took a lot of time to research the birds we were going to see, making sure I knewexactly what to look for. Their love for birds and nature is amazing, and I have no doubt that our sons are going to do great things in their lifetime.
I have some more photos up over on my Flickr pages, so make sure you check those out. If you find anything you like let me know, as I do sell prints, but these are not up in the OptiBytes shop just yet.
Sphere: Related ContentAug
1
An Awesome (And Very Long) Day
Category: Birding, Life | Leave a Comment | 119 words | Print
Today was one of the best days ever. I am completely exhausted, but it was worth every single moment of the trip.
We met up with Mark McShane, of the Near Georgia Report, and observed between 55 and 75 Swallow-Tailed Kites diving, swooping, and foraging on June bugs on the fly. After enjoying the Kite spectacle, the boys and drove down to Brunswick, Georgia to check out the birds hanging out on the coast.
We left the house at 4:45 this morning and walked in the door at 9:15 this evening. I suppose exhausted is an understatement.
I am too tired to process all 300 photos from the trip, but here’s one to whet your appetite.
More tomorrow.
Sphere: Related ContentJul
31
Waiting Patiently For Tomorrow
Category: Birding, Life | Leave a Comment | 105 words | Print
Tomorrow is going to be a big day.
We’re taking a short trip down to Glennville, Georgia to observe a flock of Swallow-Tailed Kites that will be foraging on June bugs. Each year the Swallow-Tailed Kites forage as a flock as they fatten up before their migration to South America.
We’ll be driving several hours (each way) to see this rare occurrence, and we’re all so excited we can hardly stand it.
Of course, this one of my latest photos of a Great Egret, not a Swallow-Tailed Kite, but I should have some decent photos of the Kites to post by Monday.
Sphere: Related ContentJul
28
Let’s Fly!
Category: Birding, Life | Leave a Comment | 84 words | Print
It’s been a couple months since we’ve gone anywhere, other than the E.L. Huie ponds on a birdwatching trip. Tonight, I am planning a trip up to Rome, Georgia. I love the fact we can drive to places less than an hour away to see some of the most magnificent birds around.
I was lucky to capture the shot of the Eastern Kingbird shown above. It’s those spontaneous shots that keep me coming back for more.
Jul
25
A Sunday Morning In The Sun
Category: Birding, Life | Leave a Comment | 201 words | Print
Early this morning we ventured down to the Newman Wetland Center in Clayton County to participate in a “dragonfly walk” with noted author, Giff Beaton, and senior conservationist at the center, Carol Lambert.
We had a great time on the wetland center trail, learning about the different species of dragonflies and damselflies. We also learned abotu robber bugs, which I had never heard of before.
We saw everything from the tiniest damselflies to the newly arriving dragonflies.
We’ve been to the wetland center before, but we never noticed so many dragonflies on previous trips.
I couldn’t help but notice that dragonflies have faces.
It was hot in the sun, but we had a great time on this walk.
After we finished the walk, we drove over to the E.L. Huie Land Application Facility to see if any new birds had shown up. We saw a great assortment of Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Herons, and Great Blue Herons. We also saw a Solitary Sandpiper, a Semi-Palmated Sandpiper, a Sanderling, and a Spotted Sandpiper.
We’re hoping we get a chance to see some Swallow-Tailed Kites this weekend. Of course, I will post photos if we do.
Jul
11
All Grown Up With No Place To Go
Category: Birding, Life | Leave a Comment | 552 words | Print
Our baby bluebirds fledged today, but it wasn’t all fun and games for one of the babies.
Each summer, since putting up our bluebird house, we have had a nesting pair of Eastern Bluebirds on our back deck. Each summer, they have at least two broods, and one time three. We have only had one bad egg out of all the broods hatched in our bluebird house, which is 10 feet from our back door.
The bluebirds that spend time in our yard get very accustomed to our comings and goings. They don’t seem to have any problem when we decide we want to use our back deck either. In fact, they sit on the feeder poles 10-15 feet away from the nest when we check it.
Last year, the mother bluebird flew up to our back door in what seemed to be a panic. She was making quite a ruckus, and it was obvious she was trying to get our attention. We quickly noticed that one of the the babies from their first brood had fallen from the deck before it was ready to fly.
Based on her reaction, I did not hesitate to go outside to pick it up and bring it back up to the deck to place it back in the nest. Ever since that day, we have seemed to enjoy a special bond with the bluebirds on our back deck.
This afternoon, we noticed both the male and female bluebirds hovering over the same spot in the yard. I checked their nest and sure enough, the babies had fledged from the nest, right on schedule. I grabbed my shoes and walked out into the yard to find one of the babies hiding behind a blade of grass (it wasn’t camouflaged too well).
After a brief observation it was clear that the baby couldn’t fly, but I couldn’t tell if it was due to the tall grass in that section of the yard, or if it just wasn’t developed enough yet. The parents flew to the bushes nearby and waited patiently.
I picked up the baby to examine it. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t injured. I tried to place it on a low branch of one of our snowball bushes, but it wouldn’t let go of my fingers, so I snapped the following photo with my iPhone.
After a brief rest, the baby was ready to try flying again. As I placed it gently back where I found it, the mom and dad started hovering over it again, trying to persuade the little tyke to take flight. It’s brothers and sisters were flying in and out too, in an obvious sign of support.
As the sun set tonight, after an afternoon of numerous flight attempts, that baby was still sitting in the tall grass by the old swing set, and its parents were still perched on the top of the swing set keeping an eye out for predators. Maybe tomorrow the little bird will find just the lift it needs to spread its wings and fly.
They say you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. Apparently you can lead a bluebird to the open field, but you can’t make it fly either.
Sphere: Related ContentJul
9
I am taking one more night to relax before I get back into the swing of things. Enjoy this photo of the Great Egret we saw on June 29th.
I can hardly wait for fall migration to begin.
Sphere: Related ContentJul
1
A Bright Spot On A Hot Day
Category: Birding | Leave a Comment | 91 words | Print
It’s not every day you see a Snowy Egret. We heard there was a Snowy Egret hanging out at the E.L. Huie Land Application Facility, so we took a trip over to see it.
We saw the Snowy Egret, a Great Egret, a Yellow Crowned Night Heron, and various other birds common for the area. There was a report of a Little Blue Heron, but we could not locate it while we were there.
It’s been so hot lately, I can hardly wait for the fall migration to begin.
Sphere: Related ContentMay
24
Just Another Common Monday
Category: Birding, Life, Photography | Comments Off | 75 words | Print
What happens after a nice relaxing weekend? A lot of catch up. No not Ketchup, nor catsup. Of course this means I am playing catch up all day today, so you’ll just have to deal with another bird photo until I can concentrate on something and have the time to actually write about it.
Catching up on Mondays is becoming as common as the Grackle shown above.