A few from our old B&W / Monochrome web site.
These are such distinctive birds we did a large series of just storks.
Wood Storks, Black And White
Category Archives: Stork
Spoonbills Took Over
This started out is a flock of Wood Storks. After a bit Roseate Spoonbills joined.
It didn’t take long for the Spoonbills to out number Storks.
After watching the Storks moving up and down the edge here I knew both groups would do the same path. I stayed and let them parade into my viewfinder.
After only seeing them one or two at a time this summer it was good to know they were still out in the far marsh.
I need to visit again soon, this marshland is closed every winter by the state. It is a major migratory route so all roads and trails through here are blocked by iron gates.
Note; there are some animals that are very conscious of the sound my cameras shutter makes (Canon 7D2) when shooting high speed. In images above you can see several glancing over at me. If I see it bothering them I will change to ‘S, silent’ but lose about 6 shots a second. My backup camera (Canon 70D) is even louder, and much slower.
Spoonbill Joined Up With Wood Storks
These were taken a few minutes after I was able to spot the Spoonbills flying up the marsh (click here to view the article). I had just attached my monopod so I could shoot a little slower.
They both have the same feeding habits, walk along while working the water. This is also about the maximum depth a Spoonbill will work.
Over the years scientists have discovered the Roseate Spoonbill is a good gauge on how well the health and flow of our waterways are. They track Spoonbill carefully around the Everglades. This bird was doing well, then almost extinct, all due to man changing the waters depth.
Both the Wood Stork and Spoonbill were endangered, and both learned to move into new places like the South Carolina Lowcountry to survive.
ACE Basin, South Carolina.
Moving Up The Marsh, Wood Stork
This day there were several small flocks of Storks (later Spoonbills) around this long marsh. One by one the far groups were flying to me, joining the closer birds.
One of the great photo series of wildlife is a big Stork landing within a flock. I battled the high grass, taller than me, for open shots.
This day the grass won, not many dramatic crash landings.
A Feeding (2), Stragglers
There are always a few, slower and dragging along behind.
Below is a juvenile. This bird still has ‘fuzz’ on his head.
ACE Basin, South Carolina.
A Feeding (1)
Minutes before this I was ready not even look around. No birds in the air was a bad sign.
A walk over to the cross roads of this dike and these Storks worked their right towards us.
This group had only one juvenile.
In a moment their normal ‘U Turn’ and now I could see another whole flock down the marsh.
At this point I found an opening in the grasses and the Storks did all the work.
Except I was shooting hand held which sooner or later can get heavy.
Wood Stork Joining Others
As I was shooting a group of Storks feeding this single bird came in from another flock.
There were at least three different flocks, but the other two were way down on the far side of this marsh. Probably at least a mile away.
I stayed with the group here.
BTW, I have mentioned the sound of a Storks wings when flying. However, they can also glide for long distances. There was no sound at all when he flew in.
Line Of Wood Storks
A small flock of Storks feeding.
Oh yeah, in the back is a smaller Tricolored Heron watching them go by. Probably a good idea to stay out of their way.
