One of the most calm, really easy going, birds in the marshes are Roseate Spoonbills. Maybe a snap here and there, but not much more.
However, once in a while things do get testy.
Something set these 2 juveniles off and suddenly it was loud. Spoonbills snap that big bill like a Spanish dancers castanet.
I wasn’t all that far away so I did catch most of tussle. One moved off and neither were hurt, except pride. Click, or double tap, any image to view the gallery.
After sunrise, but before full sun, getting a good shot can be ‘interesting’. Too many times there isn’t enough light. But here the water acted like a reflector and held some of the sunrise colors.
Technically I should have tried for more light, maybe exposure compensation. Glad I didn’t since I would have washed the shot of color.
Even the young ones like this have that swagger.
Some birds you pick and choose the shots you take carefully. A Tricolor, just grab the shot. Chances are it’s an interesting photograph.
Like the Anhinga these birds must leave the water to dry their feathers. Here the bird is shaking and flapping to get dry.
I’m not sure why but the number of Cormorants in the marsh looks to be less this year. No proof, just a thought.
This was the only one I noticed all day.
I wouldn’t swim here either, maybe the most Alligators in one area is under this tree.
This juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron sat in a dark, and muddy, spot.
The canal here runs through a big marsh and water flows with the tides. It’s fresh water being pushed by the wide flat marsh. It also can push into the old rice fields when a wooden water gate (a trunk) is open.
The light here was dim but perfect for catching the ruby colored eyes of a Night Heron.
This gnarly old tree has become the main resting place, safe haven, for birds in this marsh area. At times a flock of a single species will roost, other times everyone picks a spot.
The tree, and the island it sits on has been under water a lot this year. It’s looking a little tired.
How often do you get to photograph a full take off, and landing, at the same time! Not something that happens a lot.
The Heron wanted to get the top spot in a tree. There was an Egret and Spoonbill already here. Rather than jump using the branches he took off and flew over them, gaining the high ground.
I was already focused on the bird when I noticed the ‘bent knee’ signal. I started shooting right away. I wasn’t using a fast camera here so I was doubly pleased to catch this.
Click, or double tap, any image to view the gallery.
The Heron was pretty pleased too. Took the best seat without any argument from the other birds.
There’s a story here, big surprise.
I cross a rural bridge whenever we travel to the one of the large marshes. It’s the type of bridge that has a steep incline, like to have a sail boat pass underneath. The river and inlets look to be rapids, maybe knee deep. But maybe some day, who knows.
The scenery is spectacular, a wide vista of marsh and rivers. I am convinced there will be wildlife everywhere each time we cross.
Never! Ever! Nothing.
Except the other day, this beautiful Bald Eagle on this ugly pole. Beauty all around, he picks this. At the top of the humpy back bridge.
I was shocked to see him, and of course as I stopped (never other cars, but you never know) he turned and we were at eye level.
I got the famous Bald Eagle ‘stink eye’ look for bothering him.
That’s it. I was dismissed, told to move on.
I did.
