Swallow Tailed Kite

-Swallow-Tailed Kite.

You won’t believe what’s adding an extra dash of beauty to our neighborhood! The Swallow-Tailed Kite has graced us with its presence. According to the Audubon Field Guide:

Our most beautiful bird of prey, striking in its shape, pattern, and its extraordinarily graceful flight. Hanging motionless in the air, swooping and gliding, rolling upside down, and then zooming high in the air with scarcely a motion of its wings, the Swallow-tailed Kite is a joy to watch. Once common in summer over much of the southeast, today it’s mostly found in Florida and a few other areas of the deep south.

These majestic birds are a rarity, and I’ve never spotted them around here before. They call a few southeastern places home and, sadly, are threatened or endangered in most areas. Thankfully, Florida still offers a welcoming haven for them.

Witnessing their unique flight alongside other birds against Florida’s towering clouds is a delightful way to unwind and savor nature’s beauty.

✨

Cheers, D 🌴🌊