A Tale Of Two Ibis

I was happy to see a pair of juvenile white ibis feeding in the salt marsh at low tide yesterday evening. The ibis are always entertaining and amusing to watch as they confidently march about the area frequently stopping to pick around in and among the oyster beds with their long curved bills. The ibis typically feed on minnows, glass shrimp and small marine crustaceans such as these crabs. These are juvenile white ibis which you can tell by their brown and white mottled plumage, as they age they will turn into all white adults with bright blue eyes. These youngsters eyes are just starting to turn from brown into that blue.

Of course many of you are wondering if there were any alligators out last night. Yes indeed there were and I came very close to stepping on one’s nose. But that’s a story for another day!

31 thoughts on “A Tale Of Two Ibis”

jan masyn on May 29, 2013 at 1:43 pm said:

Great shots Phil, the juvenile white Ibis is a beautiful bird.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 29, 2013 at 2:02 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jan, I really like these goofy guys quite a bit. They are really good at what they do too.
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on May 29, 2013 at 1:51 pm said:

I love how they prance around in the mud. Are there feet ever clean?! Great shots!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 29, 2013 at 2:03 pm said:
  
  Their feet and their faces are rarely clean. That’s why we often refer to them as “muddy ibis”.
  They love a good slop around in the mud.
  
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  - Cowboys and Crossbones on May 29, 2013 at 4:21 pm said:
    
    Ooh and I meant to type their not there! UGH.
    
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Deb W. Trotter on May 29, 2013 at 2:20 pm said:

What a cute bird in a really awkward kind of way. Do they float away in the water to get the mud off their feet and legs or can they fly with all that guck on there?!?

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- Phil Lanoue on May 29, 2013 at 2:40 pm said:
  
  Although they are sort of goofy birds I think they are very cute and I often find my self enjoying their antics.
  They don’t swim in the water, they are waders and only get the mud off by doing more of what they do which is walking and feeding in water. They do indeed fly all covered with mud. After a brief time of watching these two last night they just suddenly took off flying and that was that. 🙂
  
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  - Deb W. Trotter on May 29, 2013 at 3:12 pm said:
    
    Thanks for that explanation. I appreciate all that I’m learning from you and your top quality photos. 🙂
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on May 29, 2013 at 5:16 pm said:
      
      Well I appreciate you stopping by and glad you are having fun here. 🙂
      
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mike585 on May 29, 2013 at 4:23 pm said:

Excellent shots, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 29, 2013 at 5:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch Mike.
  
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thecasualrider on May 29, 2013 at 4:25 pm said:

Yes, I was wondering if any alligator were about! Have learned a great deal about various wildlife since following your blog. I can see ibis have that long curved bill for a reason. Really like the last photo in this series.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 29, 2013 at 5:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much I’m glad you have been enjoying your visits here! 🙂
  
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pixelspielerei on May 29, 2013 at 5:03 pm said:

Yet another story for another day? Hey, I have to wait forever! 😉

The Ibis is a beautiful bird and you have brought great photos! ▲

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- Phil Lanoue on May 29, 2013 at 5:18 pm said:
  
  You may have to wait a very long time. 😉
  I’m happy you like the ibis! 😀
  
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Bella Remy Photography on May 29, 2013 at 7:05 pm said:

Oh wow..you really do need to be watching your step Phil. Glorious images.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 30, 2013 at 1:27 pm said:
  
  Thanks Emily and yes almost stepping on an alligator will get the ole heart pumpin’ for sure.
  
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Karen on May 29, 2013 at 7:23 pm said:

Reminds me of my years in Florida…Ibis could often be spotted in large groups in our neighbor’s yard. Don’t know what they enjoyed but they never came in ours.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 30, 2013 at 1:27 pm said:
  
  They are goofy birds but fun to watch. 🙂
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on May 29, 2013 at 7:54 pm said:

They are kinda cute with those big feet. I wonder if mom makes them wipe their feet before coming ashore? Just kidding, but they are a muddy mess. Love your shots too.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 30, 2013 at 1:28 pm said:
  
  We don’t call ’em Muddy Ibis for nothin’ 🙂 Glad you like the shots.
  
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lylekrahn on May 30, 2013 at 12:52 am said:

More great bird shots. It always seems to me that their feet are too big.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 30, 2013 at 1:29 pm said:
  
  They need those big feet to navigate around in the salt marsh. There is all kinds of stuff to trip over.
  Glad you liked these ibis pics.
  
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Fergiemoto on May 30, 2013 at 1:31 am said:

Yikes! Close to stepping on an alligator nose?!?! Oh my, that would more than frighten me.
Great photos of the ibis!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 30, 2013 at 1:30 pm said:
  
  I did do a quick back step to avoid stepping on him. 🙂
  Thanks for checking out the ibis pics!
  
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crazytraintotinkytown on May 30, 2013 at 2:00 am said:

You’re such a tease Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 30, 2013 at 1:30 pm said:
  
  I try to keep things interesting where possible. 😉
  
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Maggie Davey on May 30, 2013 at 5:43 am said:

My first look at juvenile ibis. Similar to swans, in their change of plumage colour? Mucky but lovely! You had a close shave there, Phil – you do not want to upset an alligator!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 30, 2013 at 1:31 pm said:
  
  Yes, these would be similar to the swans in terms of color change as they age. They are really at hom ein the muck and mud for sure.
  Nothing about stepping on an alligator is good I’m thinking. 🙂
  
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Chillbrook on May 31, 2013 at 6:10 am said:

smashing images Phil! 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on May 31, 2013 at 4:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks much Adrian!
  
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