I have seen them walk right by one, step over one, even walk on their back…but never saw a Spoonbill bite an Alligator. Until now.
This was a long shot, taken at 535mm. At first I just assumed it was another log, there were plenty here. The logged moved. I noticed so I must think he did too.
Above, in both shots, he is messing around with the gators tail. Why?
This looks to be a four year old (approx) Alligator based on his size. I just think he was a surprised as me.
It was the Alligator that moved off, not the Spoonbill. I hope the Spoonbill doesn’t make a habit of this.
Unfortunately I was not very close. Still this was a first for me, probably the gator too.
Note; click any image to view full size.
Wow! Bold or foolish? It’s hard to know, but it sure is unusual behavior.
It was far so shooting it I knew he was poking around the gator, but really not smart.
I hope also that this foolish Spoonbill did it only once.
Great series of photos and very interesting!
I have never seen that before. But they do walk all around and over them often. All the birds do.