Kite Anti-Food Exchange

March 11, 2012 Carbide Canyon Regional Park, Orange County, CA
Nikon D300 Nikkor 200-400 1.4 TC 550 mm f/9 1/1600
-.03 step 29.9 m Aperture Priority White Balance Auto
50% crop Wimberley on tripod.

White Tail Kites are nesting and mating at the park. The male returned with a large rodent and perched on a branch and began to eat it. Soon after the female flew up, crowded in and attempted to share. The male turned his back to her and spread his wings. She continued to push and attempted to share. This shot shows part of their interaction while he protected his meal. There was no loving exchange in this instance. He eventually flew to another branch and finished the mouse alone. We also got numerous mating shots, but none like the one David Haynes posted.

comments welcome