Dropping In Unexpectedly…Part II
Here is the follow up to the post from earlier this week showing what happened after a juvenile spoonbill dropped into the salt marsh right next to an adult that was already in there feeding…
At first I thought the adult was happy to see the young spoonie, but it quickly became apparent that the older bird was in no mood to share his hot fishing spot with the upstart youngster. The juvie was chased on several occasions just to make the message clear, but eventually they both settled down and seemed to mostly get along.
Notice how much more pale pink in color the juvenile is compared to the adult who also has the adult red eye while the youngster’s eyes are still dark. Also you can see how the color and vibrancy of the birds change as the late evening sun goes in and out.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Well, if that is not a feed envy, what then? Nice if they at least have found both some food. These beaks and feather colors are so beautiful! ▲
They are fun, goofy birds and you have to love the pink! They ended up getting along OK eventually.
Great captures. Nice reflections in the last 2
Thanks very much I’m glad you enjoyed the spoonie pics.
The colouration differences are interesting. I wonder if the adult would still chase the juvenile off it was bigger than the adult.
There is not all that much difference in size between by this time, it’s more likely that the adults get a bit cranky and don’t always want the kids around creating a mess.
One of the biggest differences in the ages at this point is the juvies still have the white fluffy head while the adults start to get that bald (and greenish) old man head, plus the adults get a crimsom ‘wing drip’ eventually too.
So much pink! Thanks for the great photos and the explanation. Have the spoonies returned since they went away in the rain?
Yes tons of pink! Thanks for checking out these photos and glad you like them!
Sadly, that photo of the miserable looking spoonie in the rain from Tue. was the last time I have seen any from the group of five that we had last weekend. 😦 Looks like they left the area.
I’m sorry to hear that, both for you and for the rest of us who enjoy your photos. Maybe they will find their way back again.
It is possible some of them will return. That happened last summer, they were in and out several times.
They seem to like being here in Sept. but hope I see some again sooner then that.
We do tend to get a little grumpier with age. Guess that is true of the spoonies too. Image #3 with the dancing on water act makes me think there must have been a grebe in someone’s past. 🙂
The funny thing was we thought they were likely all part of the same family so why would the parent get so cranky at it’s kid…oh, wait. 🙂
Once again, Phil, you’ve given us the most excellent photos of these two bickering birds. I’m bowled over by the gorgeous pink reflections. So they’re just like us…..they fade away as they get older. 😀
Well I can tell you one thing that is just like us (well us males anyway) as they age they lose more and more hair
(head feathers). Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything. 😛 😀
Fantastic colors. The younger seem to have his fun chasing the older one. 😉
They are very colorful and I’m not sure if they were having fun or not. 🙂
Beautiful captures! The older one has pretty strong wings though 🙂
They are quite colorful and you gotta love pink birds right?! Thanks Amy!
Love it!
Thanks very much Hans I appreciate it!
That is one persistent youngster! It is so interesting to see the differences between the young and adult birds and to see how really beautiful the young one will become. The reflections in the water are lovely!
The little guy is probably much the same as kids anywhere, they can annoy their elders and be a nuisance. 😀
Thanks for checking these out Maggie and I’m glad you like them!
Fantastic images as usual Phil. Their colour is incredible.
Thanks Edith, the pink birds sure are something a bit different aren’t they?! 🙂
How amusing they are when they bicker! I haven’t seen this behavior too often but always enjoy it. Thanks for making me smile with these wonderful photos!
I’m very happy you enjoyed these Molly, thanks!
Love them!
I am so glad you do! 🙂
Wonderful capture of their interaction. New name for the adult perhaps? Not Spoony but Bully.
Glad you enjoyed these spoonie pics Andrew. That adult was being a bit of a bully and I thought it might have been the parent of the youngster and now that I think of it…quite possibly it was. 🙂
Gotta say that stubborn is definitely a hard-earned spoonbill trait. Wonderful photos. Love the light.
They can be odd goofy birds at times, not so much aggressive just a bit temperamental. Could be the pink. 🙂
Glad you liked the photos Angelia!
I think being pink makes them seem/look like less a threat. Not to mention that spoon beak, but I guess they do make each other very uncomfortable in the marsh. Nice sequence.
Yes the pink color plus the big goofy spatula shaped bill make them appear quite tame and they are more funny then aggressive I believe.
Wonderful sequence. I hope you get them back again to thrill us with more pink text… 😀
Thanks so much Gunta, glad you enjoy the photos and pink text. 😀
Got some new arrivals in today’s post, so all is not lost.
Absolutely wonderful captures Phil.
Thank you Jan I really appreciate it.
Beautiful flashes of pink. Nice action shots!
We are always thrilled to see these pink goofballs for sure! 🙂
What beautiful birds they are 🙂
I can tell you when you get a group of them in the marsh along side a roadway they will stop traffic. 🙂
Yes that would be a sight to see 🙂
More pink birds!! Love these! 😀
Oh well sure, you gotta love pink birds! 😀
Such an incredible wingspan. Wow!
They are wild to see for sure!
I’m loving the text colour change; is this a new theme?
I’m getting more wild and crazy every day with the text colors! I’m just such a wacky guy.
Awesome series!