Young White tailed kite looking out toward the Delta where parents will bring back food... Oakley CA

 

                         CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE JULY 2026 

            Happy beginning of July! Hope all is well. Sharing wildlife photographs from late spring, early summer in our local area. This has been an interesting season. A pair of Swainson hawks nested behind our place, close by. Then, not long after, a pair of white tail kites also nested a bit farther back in some pine trees. As neighbors, the two species have some issues with each other over territorial rights. The swains were much closer to our house and each evening they circled in the sky. The Kites were located farther South, however reacted many times upon the sightings of Swains in this shared area. White tail kites are very aggressive, though smaller in size, they are relentless against adversaries, especially Swains. On each dive bomb attempt from the kites, the swains contort their bodies upside down with talons skyward. The Swainson hawks take the kites very seriously. The Swains seem way more chill when cruising, though well aware of the crazy kites. In the end, The Swains in back fledged one youngster successfully.

    Then came the white tail kites, fledged just behind the young swain, but  taking over our back area completely. Five fledglings. (Photos obtained verify five fledglings, which I find remarkable) They are Perched all over the back area most afternoons and evenings.  They perch on random trees all mostly within sight of each other. In the early flights they are clumsy often times two or three landing on a branch right next to one another, sometimes landing on a sibling’s head or body. The awkwardness wears off quickly.  I had the opportunity to capture many looks at the youngsters, and finally to record the transfer of mice by the parents in mid-air flight during their feeding or training activity. It all happens so quick; in short time they learn to hunt and are seen less often. This process has continued for several years as I have been lucky enough to witness this phenomenon and share the photographs. Never gets old.  Sharing a sequence of photos, and some of the Swainson hawks as well.  My practice has always been to not approach the nests, just to wait for them to come out and soar, perch, hunt and play… Area butterflies included, Additional info in photo text... All of these photographs taken recently, except swallow tail and pipevine butterflies. They were both taken on 06-12-2017 San Pablo...

Tiger swallowtail butterfly near San Pablo Dam reservoir

Parent to youngster hand off one 

transfer picture two

Successful transfer three

pipevine swallowtail butterfly Also near San Pablo reservoir

Swainson hawk adult parent Oakley CA Dark Morph

Youngster white tail kite in Oakley  

This traditional morph Swainson hawk photographed in the Central Valley 

Painted lady in Oakley CA.

Another youngster white tailed kite in Oakley CA

Youngster Swainson hawk very early flight in Oakley CA. Dark morph above in the parent.