Flying Kites

Yesterday afternoon I took a look around the famous Friendship Store near Ritan Park where there is a large selection of intricately designed kites for sale for very reasonable prices. I made up my mind to start shopping around for one or two to take home with me. If you spend much time outdoors in Beijing you are bound to see people flying kites; this is not a passtime to be taken lightly. Often the kites are so high up and so far away from their owners, that it is impossible to know where they originate. Many times it is a job for two.

These 2 men, perhaps father and son, are flying one kite together in Chaoyang Park. In the top picture they have just reeled the kite in and are getting ready to send it up again in this photo.

This is one of the pictures I took of the kite as it was climbing back up into the air.

While I was watching the above kite, this guy arrived. I hurried over and was able to take several pictures while it was still in close range.
I was amazed by the color and clarity.

After a few minutes the first kite appear in the sky much higher but both visible in the view finder.

This guy is a real pro. He can make his kite do just about anything he asks it to do. I tried to catch a few shots that show off his skills...

For several minutes he had it hover over the ground.

Here it is flying around like it's looking for prey.
This is my favorite shot...wings lifted as if flapping.

Even the best flyers have accidental landings. The two guys who lost this one in a tree had pretty sheepish looks on their faces. These branches are very high up. I don't think they could ever get it out without special equipment.