Featured photo: Red-shouldered Hawk spreads its wings to dry, after rains

Photos and content by Jaya Ramanathan – July 2024

Birds distinguish themselves by their ability to fly. They have inspired humans to invent flight, so we too can enjoy such speed of travel. Wings help birds fly. Over several years of birding, I have been fortunate to observe many a spectacle of birds’ wings.

Red-winged Blackbird, near Old Settlers Pond,  and Mississippi Kite show off their wings

Even perched birds call our attention to their wings. Red-winged Blackbird, near Old Settlers Pond, faces away from us, calls while opening wings, then closes them, repeating this behavior. Mississippi Kite, perched on wire, slightly opens its wing, but does not immediately take flight. Blue Jay and White-winged Dove, use wings to appear big, during a skirmish at bath.

Black Vulture dries itself after rains, Anhinga after a dip in Creekfield Lake, at Brazos Bend State Park

Red-shouldered Hawk and Black Vulture, display their full wingspread, drying them after rains. Anhinga does too, but after taking a voluntary dip to cool off, in Creekfield Lake, at Brazos Bend State Park. White-winged Dove, flaps wings, to gingerly perch on feeder. Another basks in winter, underpart of its wing, now visible, and sunlit. Juveniles, flutter wings, gaping to be fed.

Juvenile Blue Jay gapes to be fed, Great-crested Flycatcher takes flight

Birds in flight dazzle us. Great-crested Flycatcher suddenly stoops down from its perch, did it spot a fly? Chimney Swift dart across sky, appearing like stars twinkling in daylight. Great Egret hurries, carrying a twig, to its partner, nesting in Murphy Park rookery. Another takes off, flapping its wings gracefully, after fishing in Brushy Creek, at Freeman Park.

Great Egret takes off near Brushy Creek, at Freeman Park, Black-chinned Hummingbird sips at Salvia, and then at Desert Honeysuckle

Black-chinned Hummingbirds perform an elaborate wing ballet. Using short flights, they sip at one bloom, then another, until they are done with Salvia, then repeat on Desert Honeysuckle, akin to a foodie relishing a Thali meal. Zipping high, during skirmishes, they appear like buzzing bees. Swinging left to right, near other birds, they try to shoo them away. They flutter close to feeder, sometimes even come near us, to say hi?

Red-shouldered Hawk takes off, Cooper Hawk lands after catching White-winged Dove

Different aspects of a bird’s flight captivate us. Red-shouldered Hawk takes off, with an expansive wing lift, after catching prey on grass. Cooper Hawk lands, its wings spread out, above its victim, White-winged Dove, held in its talons. Great Blue Heron flies low, across Lake Buchanan. Mississippi Kite circles high above, body lit golden by sunset, wings motionless, just like those of Crested Caracara.

Great Blue Heron flies low across Lake Buchanan, Mississippi Kite circles high at sunset

Birds at scale, render dramatic wing shows. Examples include Cranes and Pelicans, wintering near Padre National Seashore, and migrating American White Pelican. A local summer delight are Purple Martins, roosting together by the thousands, around sunset, arriving wave after wave, until they are zigzagging all over the sky, putting on an acrobatic show.

Purple Martins roost in thousands, at La Frontera, Round Rock, displaying an acrobatic show

Since birds can fly, they can leave us in a flash, so we treasure, and are mindful, whenever we spot them. Their flight challenges our photography skills, as we hurry, and hope to not lose the opportunity to capture their interesting look or behavior. Their daunting migratory flights inspire resilience, Arctic Tern that flies around 25,000 miles being a stellar example. They motivate us to preserve and protect their habitat, so we and future generations can continue enjoying their wing spectacle.