A look at a big marsh scene that included a small flock of Roseate Spoonbills way off in the air, a closer raft of dabbling ducks and a single White Ibis in the foreground.
A little closer look at the White Ibis.
Usually White Ibis are in constant motion in the water, poking and prodding for food, but this one was just looking around.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 29, 2021
The sun was low in the sky and cast a bright light on a small group of feeding White Ibis.
A few swamp sunflowers decorated their feeding area.
Ibis stay amazingly clean as they probe the mud.
Only his beak showed any sign of the local conditions.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 12, 2021
White Ibis are busy birds, poking and pecking as they go along looking for about anything to eat.
Usually in the water, this trio led a parade along the bank of a pond.
The water at the edge of the pond was too deep for them to wade so they worked their way around on the grass.
One stopped to take in the view.
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
September 14, 2021
Most of the time the wading birds don’t pay any attention to each other.
They each just go about their business.
No matter how close they get.
Passing by!
Front row seats for everyone.
Being watched from the water…
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
September 2, 2021
A White Ibis was surveying the scene from his perch on a dead limb.
I saw a flock of White Ibis at the far end of the pond, sitting very pretty in a tree with red buds. They stayed put until I got a bit closer, but my hoped for image of a single white bird surrounded by red wasn’t to be.
On my way to the back of the pond I spotted a single Ibis that was on a limb hanging over the water. There were a few colorful buds on that tree, but the bird seemed determined to keep his face shaded.
Then a few feet away another Ibis right over the path, showing off his feet and with sun on his face.
A small flock of White Ibis have been hanging out in this tree in late afternoons.
In other years Great Blue Herons have nested here.
Right now the GBH are only in the further trees and the Ibis have the run of this one
Squabbles among the Ibis are pretty common.
Sometimes they just want a bit of alone time.
At the darkest point of winter the end of my favorite pond where much of the Great Blue Heron nesting activity is in shadows while the Herons are still working at attracting mates.
The White Ibis wasn’t impressed with the song and decided to move on.
The GBH remained hopeful, long feathers up.
I moved a bit further on, and the ritual began again.
January 3, 2021
A mixed bag of wading birds was feeding in this pool of water at the side of an old rice field pond.
Most of the birds were concentrating on feeding, but a few Snowy Egrets were busier coming and going.
This one came in for full spread landing.
And almost immediately another took off.
Curses on the mud blob ruining this reflection.
Good for me, the flight path he took crossed some clear water.
