Last week saw another trip to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. The usual suspects included wood storks, mostly hanging out behind palm fronds at great heights but occasionally speeding across the sky . . .
. . . and roseate spoonbills: completely improbable large, pink birds whether by land, tree, or sky.
The great egrets were also in great form. True, on this gusty day they spent less time flitting about than some days. Less time posing atop trees with their feathers gently, artistically ruffled; more time balancing against the gusts in a streamlined posture.
But overall, they were ridiculously beautiful: landing gently in a good spot for hunting nesting materials, pausing briefly with their selected branch, positioning themselves to land at home, and then flaring for a controlled landing without crashing onto their sweetie’s head.
Not that it was all easy pickings. Quite a few times they caught me by surprise as they launched, challenging–and beating–my framing speed.
I shared some of these photos with an acquaintance in Ottawa who likes birds. He wanted to know how close I was to them. The answer, of course, would require a better estimator of distance that I am, but I guessed between 10 and 50 feet (so likely double both of those), depending on the photo. His comment?
I guess they must be used to humans.
I guess so. Indeed, all that exposure to people seems to have rubbed off on them. Sometimes–pace JFK and his announcement of the moon program–they seem all too annoyingly human.
We choose to land behind branches; not because it is easy, but because it frustrates the photographer.
Very nice memories of one of the first “bird” places we visited in Florida a “few” years ago.
Great collection of birds that are more accommodating (to photographers) than some of the birds around home.
Jim R – They are pretty accommodating. Their size alone makes them less inclined to flittiness. Their habit of nesting within easy visual reach is another plus. Eagles could take some lessons.
What breathtaking, glorious photos! How the birds can navigate the tree branches with all that plumage is amazing and mysterious. Although the last great egret photo appears to be a voluntary imprisonment, it surely rose again to new heights. No wonder that, for the envy of them, humans in their own clumsy ways have learned to fly.
Laurna – 🙂 Yes, I did not see any egret skeletons in the trees, so they all manage to extricate themselves. Usually without any fuss . . . . Astounding.
Wonderful photos of preposterous beasts !
Ralph – Many thanks. When I see the body all stretched out, they remind me of a rubber chicken.
Thank you for showing me the roseate spoonbill. Never heard of it or seen it, but now I want to. Perhaps not enough to get on a plane and travel to the appropriate environment, but happy with the photo. Your multiplicity of photos of the egrets is a beautiful display of a beautiful bird.
Judith – 🙂 Glad you enjoyed them. The spoonbills are lovely one-by-one, and spectacular as a flock in flight, which I saw once in Florida, at a great distance across a swamp. “Pink” is just such a surprising colour to see wafting across the sky.
What wonderful pictures!
Tom
Tom – Many thanks! It was a wonderful couple of hours.
Isabel your bird pictures are spectacular; well done!
Not to nitpick the male egret’s manly chores but I find very little (no?) difference between the twig in his mouth and the tree of twigs on which he’s landing. Just sayin….this seems like a trumped up excuse to get out of the house.
Mary – Maybe there’s some structural reason they don’t break off branches where they’re building a nest? But I’m sure I’ve seen the spoonbills doing that very thing, so maybe the egret thinks he looks cool when he returns in triumph. And I couldn’t argue the point. 🙂
The Rosette Spoonbills are definitely a beauty to behold. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing them in Huntington Beach State Park many times. Your photos are amazing.
Lynne – 🙂 I think I always leave the HBSP area before the spoonbills arrive. If only I could persuade my government to delay the tax-filing deadline. In any case, enjoy!