Mid Air Crisis…Averted

This morning we saw a Swallow-tailed Kite flying along the treetops at the far edge of the marsh pond. Quickly the kite circled around and headed back in our direction and we realized it had something in it’s feet. Snakes are it’s primary food source so seeing it had a Rough Green Snake was not a surprise. What was a surprise was not just how long the snake was, but how it wrapped it’s tail first around the beak of the kite then around the bird’s head and neck. After a bit of a struggle the kite managed to untangle itself from the snake’s grasp, and continue off with it’s prey…crisis averted.

In general, Swallow-tailed Kites are an uncommon species in our area so it’s always a treat just to get a glimpse of one and even better to see the kite with it’s prize catch!

79 thoughts on “Mid Air Crisis…Averted”

Maleea on June 10, 2013 at 3:55 pm said:

wow amazing series of shots Phil! I saw a swallow tailed kite last year and was so thrilled! It was so big! Your close ups of birds and wildlife teach me so much about the species. Thank you!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 10, 2013 at 4:30 pm said:
  
  Well thanks very much Maleea I’m happy you have been enjoying the photos!
  
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theforagingphotographer on June 10, 2013 at 3:57 pm said:

He looks like a very slippery customer! 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on June 10, 2013 at 4:31 pm said:
  
  I guess the snake figured it was worth a chance to keep trying to strangle the kite. If the snake gets dropped it still might die but if it does nothing it will for sure.
  
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deb0509 (@loggie73) on June 10, 2013 at 4:07 pm said:

Amazing!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 10, 2013 at 4:32 pm said:
  
  Thanks, appreciate you looking!
  
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lylekrahn on June 10, 2013 at 4:10 pm said:

Looks like some skill is required for that job – all done while flying through the air. I don’t think I’ll apply.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 10, 2013 at 4:33 pm said:
  
  Watching much of the wildlife struggle for their food and survival always makes me feel lucky to be able to go grab a sandwich if I’m hungry after taking pics.
  
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adinparadise on June 10, 2013 at 4:18 pm said:

You and your camera always seem to be where the action is, Phil. Amazing shots again. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on June 10, 2013 at 4:34 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Sylvia, I’m always thrilled to be able to witness and photograph a scene like this.
  
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Gunta on June 10, 2013 at 4:20 pm said:

Every bit of this was amazing…. first the actions of the kite (and the snake), but your shooting topped it all off. Kudos to you!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 10, 2013 at 4:34 pm said:
  
  I really appreciate your very kind comments Gunta, thanks!
  
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Chillbrook on June 10, 2013 at 4:29 pm said:

Absolutely amazing Phil. Brilliantly captured!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 10, 2013 at 4:35 pm said:
  
  Oh wow, thanks a million Adrian I truly appreciate it!
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on June 10, 2013 at 4:51 pm said:

Amazing photos! And beautiful bird – who looked like it might have had a bad day had the snake been successful with its continual wrapping around the Kite. Crisis averted, indeed!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 10, 2013 at 5:05 pm said:
  
  That is actually a rare bird for us here too so it was a bonus situation, cool bird and snake in the same shot!
  Thanks for checking these out Megan.
  
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janmasyn on June 10, 2013 at 4:51 pm said:

WOW Phil, amazing shots, excellent nature photography.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 10, 2013 at 5:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks a lot Jan I’m happy you enjoyed these kite pics!
  
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Victor Rakmil on June 10, 2013 at 4:53 pm said:

Great stuff, nice catch!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 10, 2013 at 5:06 pm said:
  
  Thanks much I appreciate you looking and commenting!
  
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HansHB on June 10, 2013 at 5:10 pm said:

Great serie of photos, what a fight!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:12 pm said:
  
  Thanks Hans and it was an even bigger fight because there was a gull chasing the kite for a while!
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on June 10, 2013 at 5:45 pm said:

Very unlucky snake to fly the unfriendly skies. Love your rare captures.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:14 pm said:
  
  Poor Mr. Snake is just minding his own business sitting in a tree and suddenly he is being flown about rudely.
  Glad you like the pics!
  
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Molly Argo on June 10, 2013 at 6:15 pm said:

My goodness, you really leave me in awe with your photos! What an amazing series this is.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:14 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million Molly I’m very glad you enjoy the photos!
  
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Jane Lurie on June 10, 2013 at 6:39 pm said:

Beautifully shaped birds! Very cool that you caught him with the snake. Great shots, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:15 pm said:
  
  They are a fairly large bird and quite elegant flyers making it look effortless.
  Thanks Jane.
  
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Kitt Crescendo on June 10, 2013 at 6:39 pm said:

Wow! Those are gorgeous shots!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:15 pm said:
  
  Well I’m so happy you like then, thanks!
  
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meyer23 on June 10, 2013 at 6:41 pm said:

Wow. I’ve never seen such pics before. It must have been a great view

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:16 pm said:
  
  It was quite thrilling to see in part because this bird is rare for us. Thanks for looking!
  
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Judy on June 10, 2013 at 6:56 pm said:

Whew! That was a close one for the Kite. Fantastic job of recording the drama.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:17 pm said:
  
  It was an even closer call because there was a gull chasing the kite at one point.
  Glad you enjoyed the photos!
  
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Maggie Davey on June 10, 2013 at 8:03 pm said:

How you get pictures like these just amazes me, Phil! These are brilliant! Award winners?

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:18 pm said:
  
  I’m just happy when a terrific bird like this shows up and gives me the opportunity for pics! Thanks Maggie!
  
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norasphotos4u on June 10, 2013 at 8:53 pm said:

Unbelievable series.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:18 pm said:
  
  Thanks much for checking them out.
  
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dinajohnston on June 10, 2013 at 9:18 pm said:

Really cool! That’s something you don’t see often!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks! I have seen kites before and even ones with a snake but not this long of a snake and one that struggled so much.
  
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zannyro on June 10, 2013 at 9:23 pm said:

This is just an incredible capture!!!!!!!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:19 pm said:
  
  I really appreciate your very kind words!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on June 10, 2013 at 9:37 pm said:

This is absolutely amazing, and because of the subject I think the best post you’ve ever done. What an incredible scene you captured perfectly Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:20 pm said:
  
  Wow Emily thanks very much for the wonderful comments! I’m so happy you really enjoyed these pics!
  
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The Wanderlust Gene on June 10, 2013 at 9:44 pm said:

Such drama in the skies! Of course the snake is going to struggle, we’ve just become so accustomed to the poor fishes which don’t seem to have such defences! What a stunning picture of real life, Phil 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:22 pm said:
  
  Yes I have to figure the snake is going to put up a struggle. We have found wounded snakes on the ground before with no other bird or animal around. We figure they were likely dropped by a bird like this. Maybe some even get away uninjured.
  Thanks for checking these out and glad you like them!
  
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Deb W. Trotter on June 10, 2013 at 10:40 pm said:

What amazing photos, Phil. I think I’ve heard of birds wrestling in flight with live snakes, but never thought I’d get to see it! Thanks for another new and memorable experience from the marsh!!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:22 pm said:
  
  Well I’m so happy you enjoyed this series Deb, thanks!
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on June 10, 2013 at 11:10 pm said:

Wonderful photo gallery, it is always good to be reminded of the cycle of life from time to time.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:23 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Charlie and it seems that our local marsh is a dangerous place for snakes as well as fish.
  
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niasunset on June 11, 2013 at 5:17 am said:

Reblogged this on photographyofnia.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:23 pm said:
  
  Thank you for the reblog Nia!
  
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niasunset on June 11, 2013 at 5:18 am said:

WOW! WOW! Seems that he was an acrobat 🙂 You are amazing photographer dear Phil, every time you come with another amazing composition that I have never seen before… Thank you, love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:24 pm said:
  
  I am so happy you enjoy seeing these photos Nia, thanks!
  
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Connie Starner on June 11, 2013 at 5:37 am said:

WOW!! You guys are always where the action is!! Plus, your talent in getting these amazing pics is extraordinary!! Just LOVE keeping up-to-date on you guys’ adventures!! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pics with all of us!!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:24 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much for looking and for your very kind comments Connie we appreciate it!
  
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Lamar Boleman on June 11, 2013 at 10:30 am said:

Amazing! I love your blog!
Lamar …. aka Sunfish 33

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:25 pm said:
  
  Well I really appreciate you checking in and commenting Lamar and I’m glad you liked these pics!
  
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shlehora on June 11, 2013 at 10:47 am said:

Wow! Once in a life time opportunity! Awesome!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:25 pm said:
  
  We were sure thrilled to see it, thanks!
  
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  - shlehora on June 11, 2013 at 5:40 pm said:
    
    Your very welcome!!
    
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Amy on June 11, 2013 at 12:11 pm said:

I’m in awe! Thank you, Phil!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:26 pm said:
  
  I appreciate your kind words Amy, thanks!
  
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Naomi Baltuck on June 11, 2013 at 2:05 pm said:

Absolutely astounding! What a capture!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much I’m so glad you liked these kit epics!
  
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Fergiemoto on June 11, 2013 at 4:47 pm said:

What a cool sight to see, and you’ve captured some stunning photos!
Does it go after poisonous snakes? If so, I wonder how it avoids getting bitten.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:07 pm said:
  
  Thanks for checking these out!
  It would not surprise me if one grabbed a poisonous snake but maybe they know to stay away.
  
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elenacaravela on June 11, 2013 at 7:15 pm said:

Wow! Excellent captures!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:07 pm said:
  
  Thanks glad you liked ’em!
  
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FeyGirl on June 12, 2013 at 9:18 am said:

Wow, what a scene you captured…. Just stunning.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:08 pm said:
  
  Well I really appreciate your very kind words!
  
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crazytraintotinkytown on June 12, 2013 at 2:18 pm said:

Great shots Phil, never seen one that close up before

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:08 pm said:
  
  Thanks, we were quite happy when it flew practically right over our heads!
  
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Gracie on June 13, 2013 at 1:32 pm said:

Wow, Phil. These are incredible!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 13, 2013 at 1:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks Gracie, glad you enjoyed these!
  
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gregjoder on June 14, 2013 at 12:13 am said:

Wow! Great photo series and capture!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 15, 2013 at 12:56 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much so glad you enjoyed these!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on June 16, 2013 at 8:17 pm said:

I shared this with my birding group here on facebook. They loved it and were so impressed with your work.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 17, 2013 at 7:21 pm said:
  
  Hey thanks Emily that sounds great! Happy to hear your group enjoyed the kite pics!
  
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