I do spend a lot of time watching large birds in the air.
Mostly Kites and Falcons.
Each has its own special flight pattern, its own use of the air, wind, and terrain.
The concept of flight has been a fascination of human history, and not without a little envy of these creatures that can spread out their wings and move seemingly effortlessly through the air.

One bird that I find not only fascinating, but truly mesmerising is watching a Gannet working over the water on a strong breeze. Its movements are not just about wingflaps, or wing angle.
They seem to be able to make the most minute of adjustments depending on the wind, one moment skimming close to the water, the next raising high, or rolling over into a near vertical dive.

We occasionally have have them come up to the northern end of Port Phillip.

If there is a low(ish) tide, and the fish run over the sandy reef, and there is strong offshore, northerly wind blowing, we might even, on a good day, get them close enough to watch every detail of their flight. On a really, really good day, we might even get some sunshine for photographs. (Although of late, such a chance is more dreamed than achieved in reality)

The long thin wings seem to be scythe through the air, yet carry the bird’s torpedo shaped body in the right direction. A little tail flick, a weight distribution, one wing pulled in, the other extended, and the bird carries out its magic dance against the strength of the wind, the roll of the waves and the constant search for a meal.

Mesmerising.