I wanted to call this post ‘Why I love my sunroof’ or ‘A mouse’s eye view of a Black-shouldered Kite’ but the first option sounds like a car commercial and the second is way too long and although a ‘mouse’s eye view’ is more relevant it sounds ridiculous – ah, I’ve just realised that’s because it’s an incorrect pluralisation.
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)
1/1000, f5.6, ISO 1600
I was leaving Werribee’s Western Treatment Plant, heading along Beach Road with a lovely gate-opening friend, when we saw this kite perched above the road. I stopped the car and looked up at the bird through the open sunroof. The kite looked quite puzzled to see us, but not quite as puzzled as the car sales staff had been when I took my camera into the vehicle to check if I’d be able to use it through the roof.
Looking up at those piercing eyes, strong bill and ferocious-looking talons makes me feel for the many mice I’ve seen captured and eaten by these birds – at least their endings should have been swift.
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)
1/1000, f5.6, ISO 1600
The ‘looking up’ shots were tricky to take as the Black-shouldered Kite had its back to the setting sun. I had to use a high ISO to get some detail in its face and underparts, while avoiding blowing out the highlights where the sun was hitting it more directly. There seems to be a little blood from its most recent victim on its chest feathers.
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)
1/2000, f6.3, ISO 1000
The kite was obliging and stayed on its perch while we drove beneath it and paused to take a few images from the well-lit side; photographers may have noticed the vastly different camera settings.
In the image above the kite had just preened and was mid-shake as it resettled its feathers.
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)
1/2000, f6.3, ISO 1000
Black-shouldered Kites are small to medium raptors that can be found across mainland Australia and often increase in number during mouse plagues. They generally hover over grasslands or paddocks before diving onto their prey, grabbing it with their talons and either eating it while flying or while perched. I generally see them eat large insects on the wing and eat mice while perched.
I like the look in its eye in the image above, and the angle of its head. Its black shoulders and wing tips look stunning, as does the black marking around its red eye. They are exquisite birds.
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)
1/2000, f8.0, ISO 800
The raptor’s direct look, above, seemed to be giving us our marching orders. The sun was low on the horizon and when it dropped behind the clouds it was time to head home.
The treatment plant is one of my favourite places, I wish it was an hour closer to home.
Happy birding
Kim
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