First Anniversary and Swallow-Tailed Kites

Tonight, I celebrate the first anniversary of Eva’s Birds I View. It’s been a great year of birding, walking, photography and artwork and to all who have supported this I send out a huge thank you! I am dedicating this blog to one of my “thrill birds” the Swallow-Tailed Kite.

These are large, slender raptors that migrate from South America to Florida and back again. It’s always a thrill to see them return and sad when you are sure they are gone. Isn’t that true of anything you hold dear? They have bright white heads and black markings underneath. Their backs are stunningly black and white, but I realized tonight I have NEVER caught a glimpse of their backs. These are creatures of the air that appear to effortlessly float in the breeze. No arduous flapping. They are just too cool for that! And they spend much of their time in flight even eating.

Since so much of my bird watching is done while walking, these birds have taught me the value of looking up – often and with intention. I sometimes can find them by their high-pitched calls – a bird watching technique I am trying hard to improve my skills on. Also, I walk with a simple camera and in order to catch them I am shooting straight up into the sun – something they tell amateurs not to do. So, this bird has been a lesson for me in looking up AND not listening to everything you are told!

I celebrate the fact that I once caught a pair “in the act” on a cloudy day while I was walking. To my delight, it was chosen by my longtime friend Susan Everhart to be an anniversary gift for her husband. Susan gave me her vintage baby grand piano last year and this exchange was a celebration of that friendship and music and our years together doing good work for young people through Communities In Schools. I am so grateful. I hope my website and my love for birds has brought joy to you.