Six Mississippi Kites
Shortly before 10:00 this morning, the day was already steamy with heat and humidity. But up in a hazy blue sky two Mississippi Kites appeared, like apparitions at first. They were flying fairly low, gradually circling and gaining altitude, when I first saw them as I was walking through the subdivision next to our own. While the Red-tailed Hawks and Vultures soar on big wide wings, the Mississippi Kites look as if they cut through the air. Their shapes are thin and sharp and precise like a blade.
These two were juveniles, with visible patterns, not the smooth gray of adults. They circled several times, gradually climbing higher until they were soaring high and flew against the sun, and I lost them.
About 20 minutes later, heading back home and on a different road, I saw a Mississippi Kite soaring to the north. I stopped to watch it, and then saw another and another – at least six Kites circling and climbing. These were not as close as the first two, but their shapes were distinct. They gradually drifted away to the northeast.
Then a few minutes later, as I was almost home, one more Mississippi Kite appeared, this one closer but soaring high. It circled around only once, then sailed fast toward the east and out of sight.