The Family That Feeds Together Flies Together | Phil Lanoue Photography

The Family That Feeds Together Flies Together

Yesterday evening a spoonbill was feeding in a side corner of the salt marsh along with several white ibis. There was a typical mix of adult and juvenile ibis in the group. Suddenly they all decided they needed to immediately be somewhere else and they took off. I’m going to give the edge on speed to the spoonbill with it’s larger wings, but…the young ibis kept up with spoonie quite nicely!

42 thoughts on “The Family That Feeds Together Flies Together”

lylekrahn on August 8, 2013 at 1:27 pm said:

Beautiful flight shots. The other factor to consider is all that extra resistance with the spoonie’s big bill:)

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- Phil Lanoue on August 8, 2013 at 3:59 pm said:
  
  Thanks! Oh wow I had not thought about that. Poor spoonie, it’s always something that’s gonna drag him down.
  
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janmasyn on August 8, 2013 at 1:30 pm said:

Absolutely awesome flight shots Phil, the last photo is super.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 8, 2013 at 4:00 pm said:
  
  Hey thanks very much Jan, very glad you liked these!
  
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crazytraintotinkytown on August 8, 2013 at 3:28 pm said:

Beautiful shots Phil

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- Phil Lanoue on August 8, 2013 at 4:00 pm said:
  
  Well I appreciate that, thank you.
  
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uthamz on August 8, 2013 at 3:31 pm said:

Amazing shots !
The last one – just Perfect !
Congrats , Phil!

utham

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- Phil Lanoue on August 8, 2013 at 4:01 pm said:
  
  So nice of you to visit and comment and I’m happy you enjoyed the flight photos!
  
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HansHB on August 8, 2013 at 3:33 pm said:

Wonderful flight serie, well done!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 8, 2013 at 4:01 pm said:
  
  Hey thanks Hans I really appreciate that!
  
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Kitt Crescendo on August 8, 2013 at 3:49 pm said:

Love the flying ones!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 8, 2013 at 4:01 pm said:
  
  That’s great I’m happy to hear you enjoyed them!
  
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Steve Gingold on August 8, 2013 at 3:57 pm said:

Man, you are so lucky to have this salt marsh at the ready every day, Phil. Wonderful natural experiences and these images share that quite well.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 8, 2013 at 4:04 pm said:
  
  We do realize we are fortunate to have this environment near by and are able to take advantage of it. Plus I’m very happy folks enjoy the photos.
  I would like to head back to the marsh this evening because I’m betting the spoonies will be out and about but we have tickets for our local minor league baseball team tonight. Not sure I even want to go but it is dollar beer night so… 🙂
  
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  - Steve Gingold on August 8, 2013 at 4:13 pm said:
    
    Not much thinking required for that decision, Phil. Even Mr.A will approve I am sure. ::-)
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on August 8, 2013 at 4:47 pm said:
      
      Mr. A is particularly fond of dollar hot dog night.
      
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adinparadise on August 8, 2013 at 5:07 pm said:

Fantastic photos again, Phil. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on August 9, 2013 at 4:15 pm said:
  
  Thanks Sylvia I appreciate it.
  
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Amy on August 8, 2013 at 7:03 pm said:

Another amazing series, Phil! The last shot, wow!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 9, 2013 at 4:15 pm said:
  
  Very glad you liked these Amy!
  
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Deb W. Trotter on August 8, 2013 at 8:35 pm said:

Love the last shot especially because of the contrasts between the two birds’ appearances.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 9, 2013 at 4:16 pm said:
  
  Thanks, the spoonies and ibis often feed together because they have similar fishing styles, but very different bill shapes. 🙂
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on August 8, 2013 at 8:35 pm said:

I liked seeing the mixed flock. I never see that here. The marsh birds are all in their little cliques. Love your flight shots, nobody does it better. I sent your link to some local bird watchers. I am sure they will love your birds.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 9, 2013 at 5:02 pm said:
  
  Well I’m very happy you liked seeing these and I appreciate you passing along to site to the bird watchers!
  
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The Dancing Rider on August 8, 2013 at 8:54 pm said:

What struck me most was the last photograph, and the upturned bill on one, the downturned bill on the other. Beautiful and complimentary — like so much of nature.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 9, 2013 at 5:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million, I’m glad you have been enjoying my views of our local nature and wildlife!
  
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The Wanderlust Gene on August 8, 2013 at 10:41 pm said:

They’re breathtaking captures, Phil. Tell me, do you ever miss? 🙂 I love all of them, but the last one, with the two birds’ bodies so in line they look choreographed till you realise the ‘shadow’ bird and the big flamboyant spoonie, are on the opposite flap – that somehow eclipses the two first flight pix – both extraordinary shots. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on August 9, 2013 at 5:04 pm said:
  
  I greatly appreciate your very kind comments and I’m so happy you enjoy these photos. And oh yeah, I do miss…occasionally. 😀
  
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Gunta on August 9, 2013 at 4:28 am said:

The flight shots were amazing, but I have to admit the last one had me gasping!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 9, 2013 at 5:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch Gunta, I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the flights!
  
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meyer23 on August 9, 2013 at 4:37 am said:

They seem to be good friends. Great story and great pics.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 9, 2013 at 5:05 pm said:
  
  They were getting along quite nicely. Thanks!
  
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Paula on August 9, 2013 at 6:12 am said:

That last shot is spectacular!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 9, 2013 at 5:06 pm said:
  
  Thanks Paula I appreciate that!
  
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Andrew on August 9, 2013 at 6:31 am said:

Perhaps the birds knew it was ‘openin time’ too – dollar beer for Spoonies?

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- Phil Lanoue on August 9, 2013 at 5:06 pm said:
  
  I’m betting the spoonies would be on board for 5 shrimp for a dollar night! 😀
  
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Dina on August 9, 2013 at 9:39 am said:

Wonderful flight captures in a gorgeous light, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 9, 2013 at 5:07 pm said:
  
  Well I really appreciate your kind comments Dina, thanks!
  
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Molly Argo on August 10, 2013 at 6:29 pm said:

All are stunning but the last one is really exceptional! Love the lighting!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 11, 2013 at 4:11 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Molly I’m happy you enjoyed these!
  
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Scott Marshall on August 12, 2013 at 5:48 pm said:

the 3 in tandem is fabulous

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foxleylady on August 22, 2013 at 6:37 am said:

Such beautiful action shots Phil!

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