Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Sky Swallowtail

At the end of July, during their migration south, hundreds of Swallow-tailed Kites congregate around various pastures in central Florida to catch insects attracted to melon fields. It's one of the most amazing spectacles I've ever seen and is a perfect opportunity to photograph these majestic birds in flight. I really enjoy this shot in particular because of the way the parting clouds point to the iconic swallow tail of this diving bird, while also showcasing a lovely contrast in white, black, and gray between the bird and the cloud cover.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2021
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Trenton, Florida, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Copyright: © Mitch Walters