For once the weather tv talking heads had managed to get it right.
Rain.
EE and I had an appointment at the medical precinct very close to the nesting site of the Black-shouldered Kites. How close? Well, we could see the trees just down the road as we parked at the clinic.
“You know,” she had said, “we’ll be in the area, why not just take a few minutes after we’re through with the doctor, and go on for a look to see what the young kites might be up to?”
Good thought.
But, as they say, by the time we’d finished with the medicos and were back in iAmGrey, the weather had closed. In!
Still a quick look wouldn’t hurt would it.
The showers had turned to a light drizzle, and we rugged up, grabbed the cameras and walked down to the nesting area. The young kites were up and about on some trees nearby.
A glance across the paddock behind them revealed a slow moving grey mass, that was more than ‘just a passing shower’.
In the open paddock it was intriguing to see the grey mass, slowly, and, inexorably heading toward us.
The drizzle turned to a half decent shower, and then to incessant and increasing as the grey mass loomed even closer.
Dad, was out hunting, and it was thought prudent to stand under a tree and try to keep the cameras dry, and hope that he could bring in a mouse for a bit of aerial action.
One of the young kites sat, ready to make its presence felt should a food offering be made.
But
The rain was now intensifying, and after a few shakes of the feathers, it must have concluded that it would be drier under the trees. It took off.
Headed in my direction, and landed on a branch about 5-6 metres from where I stood. We both looked at each other.
I offered it a, “It is getting wetter isn’t it” But the young one just shook its feathers and tried to hunch down a bit to avoid the rain that was now coming through the tree canopy.
“Time to head for the shelter of the car….”, I heard in the distance, as a bedraggled EE set off toward the vehicle.
I stepped back just enough to fit all the of the young bird in the frame, messed with the exposure, and made the shot.
The young kite had second thoughts about this being a dry spot, shook its feathers again, and flew across the stand of trees to what must have been a much drier area. Perhaps it thought if I wasn’t going to share the space with it, it would go elsewhere.
Smiling, I slogged back to the car.
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 
A fine image in the rain! The weather has been rather ordinary for sure. Today being a fine example of Melbourne having at least four seasons in one day, still I did get some sunshine!
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G,day,
The weather probably just matches my attitude at the moment. I don’t mind rain, based on the general principle of get wet, then dry off. It seems to have worked that way my entire life.
My poor old DrizaBone doesn’t get out as much these days as previously. The newer, materials and better dress sense makes it mandatory to be seen to be seen in the best gear. 🙂
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A lovely image in the rain. Maybe because I’m not actually out in it, there is a very peaceful feeling to this. Beautiful.
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Thanks Eleanor, I don’t always plan to be out in the wet. Mostly try and avoid it these days. And at the moment everything is as EE says, “Close to home if we decide to leave early”.
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This time of year the weather has been quite unpredictable everywhere. The weather app has had me save my washing several times, due to unexpected rain on what is a fine and sunny day. It can make one a little anxious as the rain is watched moving in one’s direction, especially when teaming down and you are standing with camera and no rain gear. Great shot David even in the rain, which I can see in the background. The facial expression is almost a kind smile of recognition or acceptance of your presence, or it may even be the humour of watching you both deal with the precipitating event.
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Hi Ashley, Watching the rain on the app is always a bit amusing. Will it, won’t it. Oh look the big green blob is just about over us.
Not the first bird I’ve ever shared a space with in the rain. They seem to adopt a different approach that has more to do with keeping dry than fear of close approaches.
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G’day David, This is another of your wonderful tales of you and “the Wildlife” sharing a space so intimately. I enjoy it so much because this happens to me occasionally as well and I love to relive this feeling again while reading your story. The photo of the young Black-shouldered Kite is a perfect illustration. I’m happy 🙂
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G,day Adam, I reckon that sheltering under a tree with a bird that has chosen to share the space is a pretty exciting reason for being out in the rain. As you say, its something to relive and enjoy
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