Breeding Mississippi Kites and American Avocets

I am delighted that the photos I took of the breeding Mississippi Kites yesterday came out very well. They document the astonishing actions of the male kite who begins wrapping his wings around the female as he mounts her. As the series progress, one can watch as the action culminates with the female being fully enveloped by the males wings.

The photo here is just the first photo taken as the male started to mount the female. Click here to go to the full set of Mississippi Kite breeding photos plus photos of pre- and post-breeding behavior by a pair of American Avocets I also took yesterday (the breeding behavior was quickly accomplished and resulted a blurred photo in the low light conditions).

SeEtta