Red Kites are amazing birds of prey, and I am lucky enough to have a colony of them not far from where I live. They often fly over our house in search for food. They were re-introduced to Harewood in 1999. The population of Red Kites nearly became extinct, but thanks to conservation groups and breeding programs, they have been introduced across the country, and are steadily building up a healthy colony.

Red kites are 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28 in) long with a 175–179 cm (69–70 in) wingspan. They are very graceful, gliding through the air with what looks like very little effort from those huge wings, and when they do what I can only describe as a barrel roll when they dive for food, is something worth watching.

I knew they inhabited the area of Harewood House, as I had seen them many times, but the best place to view them, I found by accident. I had decided to do a walk from the outskirts of Harewood, and do a big loop, taking me through the grounds of Harewood House, and eventually back to my car.

I was near the end of my walk, and had just come out of Harewood House grounds, into the village of Harewood, when I came across the village hall, which had a cafe at the back of it, called Muddy Boots Cafe. I thought I would call in and have a coffee and a slice of cake, what I would witness that day as I stood at the counter, would stay with me forever. I just happened to look out of the window which is next to the entrance to the cafe, when a Red Kite swooped past the window and the doorway! If anyone had been walking out of the cafe at that moment, I am sure they would have got a face full of Red Kite! It was that close and low down. I promptly went outside, and saw five or six Kites flying about.

Considering it was the 1st time I had tried to photograph any sort of fast moving object, let alone something that was relatively still at height and could change direction even quicker, I think my photos turned out OK.