Something, or someone, startled this flock of American White Pelicans at the edge of the pond. They lifted off but didn’t go far, landing on a mud flat in the middle.
In less than five minutes they had all settled down and were mostly facing the same way. A larger number of Snowy Egrets, White Ibis and a few Wood Storks in the group behind them didn’t react to the alert or the Pelicans landing.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area
February 10, 2020
A maple tree stands on this small island, actually more of a struggle, as it doesn’t stand straight and there isn’t much more to it than what you see here in this image taken this week. This tree is an early bloomer, and a variety with bright red seed pods.
Finding a bird in the right light tucked in among these bright maple seeds is a treat. The next two images were taken a few weeks ago on a windy day when most of the wading birds were staying low. The light wasn’t great but I couldn’t resist the red.
A small flock of White Ibis has had this island on their daily route for most of the winter. I often see them sticking out of the pine trees on the far end of the island and was happy to spot these two on the trail side.
I’ve spotted White Ibis all around the swamp recently, including taking a turn in the Skinny Tree while the Great Blue Heron was away.
Ibis feed by probing with their long bill and this one is surprisingly clean for standing in the duck weed.
Several of them landed in a pine tree over the trail, unconcerned about observers.
Although this one had a bit to say.
Coming in over a small group of Snowy Egrets a White Ibis is cleared to land.
He flexes his wings to slow down.
Feet out for a perfect two point landing.
One foot up for style. The egrets do not care.
I’ve just come back from almost three weeks on the west coast of Florida with most of my wildlife time at Ding Darling NWR on Sanibel Island. The first two days were pouring rain but then the sun and the birds came out.
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
December 24, 2019
Reminding me of musical notes on a staff these White Ibis were writing a song in a dead tree.
However, they weren’t all carrying the same tune, and seemed to covet each others’ spots.
Being “king of the hill” is a popular bird theme.
Pushing right to the limit, this fellow held a long note.
I circled around to get better light and most of the Ibis had moved on to another song.
I occasionally take a walk to this small pond after checking out the action on the big pond. The pond has a full tree canopy so the light is usually poor for photographs, but late in the day some dappled sun works through. And some days the walk rewards me with a bird.
This trip it was an adult White Ibis, slowing working his way back and forth, in and out of the patches of sunlight.
Then something startled him and he retreated to a spot above the water at the back of the pond, where he carefully checked the sky.
This dirty looking Ibis is actually a not-quite adult. Juvenile White Ibis are brown and gradually turn white.
This one was foraging along the edge of a pond, sticking to the mostly shaded edge, quickly swallowing any food.
He stepped into the sun for a moment and you can see the mottled brown on his wings.
White Ibis usually travel in groups but this one was by himself searching the edges of a small pond. There is a full tree canopy over the pond so not much direct light gets to the water, and the reflected light appears in lots of colors.
Back and forth he went with an occasional sweep of the water with his beak, hunting for food.
Reflections of some Cyprus Knees and a few dapples of sunlight changed the look of the water as the Ibis moved along.
The sun was rising on a juvenile Glossy Ibis, Wood Stork and Little Blue Heron standing in a shallow pond.
The Ibis got the signal to go!
I love these reflections, especially the upside down Ibis.
