This was the scene under the Spoonbill Tree at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area on a recent cold and windy morning. The Roseate Spoonbills were wisely at the back of the pond, tucked under a bigger tree.

A few Gallinules were popping in and out view and the Great Blue Heron seemed on the verge of doing something as he repositioned several times.

The GBH moved back into the water when a Great Egret appeared. This dead tree, which has been a great perch for a Roseate Spoonbills over the last few years,  has taken another step towards its end as another good size limb has fallen off this winter.

I was expecting the Heron to drive off the other birds the way he came back around the front of the island all puffed up.

But he decided to ignore whatever was going on behind him at least for the moment, as one lone gull paddled by.

February 4, 2021