I knew he was about to take off, he had the sticks and was leaning off the trees. Of course he went in the opposite direction I had been ready for.
I’m OK with these. Any shots of a Stork exit and flight is good.
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Amazing to be able to get these shots. They were rare in the US, and about to be gone.
She was nesting with a large number of other storks in the Port Royal rookery. Impossible to get a count of how many were around.
Wood Storks have taken the high brush and trees on the islands in Cypress Wetlands. This year there are even more nesting than ever. This makes the wetlands the 6th stork rookery in South Carolina.
However, between Edisto Island and Donnelley the storks that nest there have not been seen in the air. There’s no access to the rookery site to check but these storks may have gone down to Cypress. It’s really not that far.
So, when was the last time a bald headed five foot bird threw water at you ??
He had just combed out of the water, closer to us than expected, and flapped all about for a while.
It’s always amazing how these big birds fly through the trees. Huge wing spans yet they make it look effortless.
They are incredible in flight. Sometimes they catch a wind and soar at great heights.
However, sooner or later they need to land. Those long spindly legs must be stronger than they appear. Landing is something they’re not so good at.
Wood Stork.
If you sat down and wrote out just how you would want a Stork to pose, it might not be this good anyway.
Best viewed large.
One of the most impressive birds around here. On a quiet morning you can hear their massive wings long before you see them.
