Images from Lake "Toho" taken from 2005 thru 2011. Magnificent raptors. The male adults are fully gray on top with a red eye. The first image is an immature male while the second image shows the full mature plumage.The adult females have a lighter head as seen in images 11-13. Young juveniles can be seen in images 14 and 15. I have one early nest image with 2 young chicks. Getting clean perched birds can be very difficult while flight images are far more frequent.
In all the years I have captured but 2 images showing the snatch of the snail from the water. Lake "Toho" is a large lake and these kites nest in different locations each year.
Image 85 shows a kite perched on the Endanged Snail Kite nesting sign posted throughout the areas where these kites nest. By temporarily placing a natural perch in the top of these signs one can get these kites on a natural perch.
Enjoy viewing