Posted by Joel n Rosenthal on January 01, 1970 at 00:00:00
I was with the group until we left Mahogany Hammock and managed a few pictures, although my recent inactivity left my minimal photography skills in even shorter supply. I dawdled to try to converse with a visiting Frenchman after the group had departed the west end of Research Road, and was rewarded with the sight of two swallowtailed kites soaring and wheeling above the distant tree line.(Only after viewing all my shots did I notice that in fact there were 3 birds). I have seen and photographed these beautiful birds near my house on Red Road, in Panama, and costa rica, and i never tire of their effortless soaring and dive bombing. I was unprepared for their appearance yesterday , and my blurred photos are evidence of my inept efforts to capture their fantastic display--however, for once i did get identifiable shots of their dorsal color and pattern, which are, in my view, the most appealing aspect of their overall pattern and coloration. I have included 45 photos from yesterday's outing, some of which will enlarge if you click on them. Follow the link to my photos and yesterday's birds start with the egret' close up and the last bird from the trip is the northern cardinal,(although you are welcome to scroll through my photostream or albums) which I photographed in the Coe visitor center parking lot before the group arrived at 730. https://www.flickr.com/photos/joelnrosenthal/