“The Look”

Saturday morning we spent quite a while watching this roseate spoonbill in the marsh pond. During most of that time the spoonie was standing on one leg with it’s bill tucked behind his back, napping. About the most action we saw was when it would occasionally wake up and preen a bit before going back to sleep. But I really wanted some action photos, hopefully including some flight shots, so I waited him out figuring he had to get up at some point and likely fly off to the far back edge of the pond where a lot of the wood storks were congregating.

Finally our fluffy pink friend woke up and then I saw it…the look. I knew from prior experience watching these birds that they often get a certain almost imperceptible look about them when they are preparing to takeoff. Sure enough, he angled his head toward me then back straight ahead. He did this little bit of a drop down in preparation for liftoff, and that was it, he took flight!

He did indeed fly off toward the far back end of the pond where he joined his wood stork friends in a tree, but I got the shots I wanted…patience paid off! 🙂

39 thoughts on ““The Look””

pixelspielerei on July 22, 2013 at 12:24 pm said:

The patience has really paid off and also the reflections are absolutely beautiful! ▲

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 10:38 am said:
  
  Thanks so much glad you liked them!
  
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Deb W. Trotter on July 22, 2013 at 2:41 pm said:

Yay, pink is back! I’m glad you waited around the pond so we could see your beautiful photos of a really lovely bird. Thanks!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 10:39 am said:
  
  Gotta love some pink right?! 😉 I’m happy you enjoyed the photos of our pink visitor!
  
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adinparadise on July 22, 2013 at 2:48 pm said:

These are really WOW shots, Phil. Magnificent take off and in flight pics, and I love the reflections. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 10:40 am said:
  
  Thanks so much Sylvia I really appreciate it!
  
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Gunta on July 22, 2013 at 3:11 pm said:

Wow! Absolutely breathtaking shots of the take off. Your patience definitely paid off.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 10:41 am said:
  
  Thanks so much for the kind comments Gunta and I glad you liked the spoonie pics!
  
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Patrizia M. on July 22, 2013 at 3:12 pm said:

Wowwwwwwwww, non ho parole. Fantastiche!!
Ciaooo

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 11:02 am said:
  
  Thanks so much Pat! 😀
  
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lylekrahn on July 22, 2013 at 5:06 pm said:

Loved the water falling off the bird. So apparently getting the look isn’t always bad – who knew?

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 10:44 am said:
  
  Some looks are much better then others. For instance I did not particularly care for the look this guy was giving me when he floated right over to me and the fact that he blew bubbles at me was a trifle unnerving.
  https://phillanoue.com/alligator-photos/#jp-carousel-224
  
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Amy on July 22, 2013 at 5:24 pm said:

Perfect takeoff! Beauty beyond words….

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 10:56 am said:
  
  Thank you Amy, I appreciate it greatly!
  
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Chillbrook on July 22, 2013 at 5:34 pm said:

Wow. Stunning pictures Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 10:56 am said:
  
  Thanks a million Adrian, so glad you like them!
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on July 22, 2013 at 5:47 pm said:

My favorite photos yet (along with the pink text, of course)! Worth the wait, indeed!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 10:57 am said:
  
  I knew you would like the pink text and good to know you liked the pics too! Thanks!
  
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foxleylady on July 22, 2013 at 5:52 pm said:

What stunning pictures, Phil! The background, the reflection, the action – all simply beautiful! You’ve done it again!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 10:57 am said:
  
  Hey thanks so much Maggie, I really appreciate your very kind words!
  
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Shannon Keevert on July 22, 2013 at 6:27 pm said:

Absolutely beautiful!!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 10:58 am said:
  
  Thanks much Shannon I appreciate it!
  
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janmasyn on July 23, 2013 at 2:23 am said:

These are great shots Phil, excellent work.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 10:58 am said:
  
  Thanks a lot Jan glad you enjoyed them.
  
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Andrew on July 23, 2013 at 3:24 am said:

Good wildlife photography is often about fieldcraft and knowing your subject. Congratulations Phil. I wonder if the bird thought: I recognise what he’s doing….. he’s going to take the photo just as I take off. So predictable!!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 11:00 am said:
  
  That’s funny Andrew because it is pretty much what we thought after the bird left. We were imagining it saying…
  “OK here you go I’m about to take off so if you are paying attention you can get the shots, if not tough luck.”
  
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Gareth Rasberry on July 23, 2013 at 9:17 am said:

Excellent reflection shots, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 11:00 am said:
  
  Thanks Gareth, glad you enjoyed the spoonie pics!
  
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Debbie on July 23, 2013 at 9:27 am said:

I’m planning a trip to the park this weekend and found your blog. enjoyed looking at all your Photographs. Now I’m really excited about the trip and the wonderful birds I might see.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 11:01 am said:
  
  Glad to hear you have been enjoying the blog Debbie and hope you see some great wildlife action during your visit.
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on July 23, 2013 at 9:46 am said:

I too like the first shot with the reflection. Really beautiful bird and looked to be a great day.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 11:02 am said:
  
  Good to hear you enjoyed these and yes it was a fun day.
  
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crazytraintotinkytown on July 23, 2013 at 2:56 pm said:

They really are stunning birds; I bet there are day Phil when you count your blessings and realise how lucky you are to have such wonderful wildlife on your doorstep

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- Phil Lanoue on July 24, 2013 at 5:01 pm said:
  
  Yes we do realize we are fortunate to be able to view such a wide variety of wildlife close and in the wild. I never post zoo or captive animals, I like to keep it on the wild side.
  
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Molly Argo on July 23, 2013 at 9:42 pm said:

I am so glad that you waited and were able to take these beautiful photos!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 24, 2013 at 5:02 pm said:
  
  Thanks Molly, although I have to admit I was getting impatient with this youngster waiting for him to wake up from his morning nap. 🙂
  
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Scott Marshall on July 24, 2013 at 5:39 pm said:

they are a little ungainly

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- Phil Lanoue on July 25, 2013 at 12:54 pm said:
  
  No more so then any of the large waders, plus they are quite nice flyers.
  
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Fergiemoto on July 27, 2013 at 6:21 pm said:

Beautiful shots! I love their pink color!

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