Arlene

Send to SMAS also please.  Nice shot.

We (Gwen and I), after doing point counts in Christfield, Somerset County,
drove up to Sean's.  Between 3 and 5 PM we had about six Mississippi Kite.
At 4:43 PM Gwen located the Swallow-tailed Kite.  She picked up two state
birds this afternoon.

In Somerset County I flushed a Chuck's, found an Ovenbird nest, heard
calling Black-billed Cuckoo, and picked up lots of ticks.  Hot and humid but
eventful.

I took a couple shots at the Mississippi Kites but most were too far or too
high.  The Swallow-tailed was too far.  I hope the pictures I took on my
first trip are OK.  Nothing like your but ....

Off to Brazil on Saturday.  Maybe some new images to add to the collection.

I happened to be at a Stewardship seminar that MET put on last Saturday.
Doug was also in attendance.  Small world.

The Dicksissel is still in Ann Arundle County as of tonight.  I took some
distance shots.  If you are interested, let me know, but some folks want to
keep this under wraps.

Regards

George

----- Original Message -----
From: "Arlene Ripley" <>
To: <>
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 10:32 AM
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Kite update


> It was a long wait for me yesterday arriving at Sean McCandless's house
> just about a half hour after the very brief sightings of both kite species
> around 10 AM. A congenial group entertained each other, some coming and
> going, while we patiently waited in the sun for more kites. None came
until
> Sean arrived home from work! Obviously they know when to start the show
> <s>.  While waiting, we all enjoyed the many passes of the Red-shouldered
> Hawk who plucked cicadas out of the air as it flew by. This behavior was
> observed in a Red-tailed Hawk too and finally the kites. When one
sub-adult
> kite really put on a show for us, flying low and directly overhead, I ran
> back to my car and whipped out my camera. I managed a few distant shots
and
> one pretty close. I've put it on my website here:
> http://nestbox.com/rare.htm for those who might not make it to Sean's.
> Unfortunately the Swallow-tailed Kite never put in another appearance
> although some of us waited until 6:30.
>
> Sean and his neighbor directly across the street were most accommodating.
> We sat on the neighbor's lawn most of the day. Sean provides chairs but it
> would be a good idea to take your own, especially if you plan on spending
a
> lot of time there (between travel and waiting, I had a 14-hour day!).
Bring
> sunscreen and plenty of water!
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Arlene Ripley
> Calvert County, MD
> 
> http://nestbox.com
>