Mama “Radar”?!
Last night everyone was thrilled to see five spoonbills working the salt marsh during low tide. We were also particularly happy to enjoy a special guest appearance by our favorite great egret “Radar”. As some of you might remember, Radar got his name because he has a transmitter pack attached to his back that has two antennas sticking out of it. He is supposed to be part of a study involving migratory habits of certain wading birds such as egrets.
Yesterday evening though, Radar was behaving more like a mother duck with the spoonbills as her ducklings. At one point Radar had them all lined up and led them over to the water. Eventually he, (Radar is actually a male egret) kept watch over the brood as they stayed in line and fed in the shallow water in the salt marsh.
I included the last photo with a closer view where, if you look carefully, you should be able to see the antennas sticking out from Radar’s back.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
I was assuming it was because of his fondness for Grape Nehis. 🙂
It really does look like the egret is keeping an eye on the spoonies, Phil. Very enjoyable studies.
Thanks very much Steve! It is not often we see spoonies line up and even more rare to have them watched over by a protective egret. Fun stuff for sure.
This has got playful written all over it. I love your eye and your sense of fun.
I was lucky to be able to keep the camera still watching this scene unfold I was laughing. These birds never fail to amuse and entertain, and maybe even educate. 🙂
Cute and interesting!!It did look sort of like a bunch of young spoonbills imprinted onto that white egret!! Ah who else can look so gorgeous playing in the mud?
They were quite cute and it’s not often we will see five spoonies line up like this. The spoonies also stay remarkably clean in the mud, unlike the ibis which feed in a similar manner, they are almost always filthy. 🙂
This does remind me of a mother and her ducklings, too. Although it’s a single step-dad who’s taken over the flock. Your photos always make me smile. As does the pink text. You know it’s my fave!
Well I’m thrilled you enjoy the wacky scenes from the marsh and of course I had to throw in some pink text.
I bet our pal Radar was thinking twice about taking over responsibilities for that brood.
He’s a gentle “general”. Really sweet series.
He does seem to be almost reviewing the troops. Pink troops? Wow! 🙂
So cute!
Radar and the spoonies decided to collaborate on cuteness! 🙂
Lovely series of pics, Phil. Those spoonies look really small next to Radar. 🙂
Thanks very much Sylvia and it’s funny because yes they do indeed look small next to Radar but the spoonies are not at all small birds, they are considered large waders. So maybe Radar is bigger then we thought. But seriously, Radar is a larger then normal egret, he is head egret in charge out there too. 🙂
Such lovely pictures, Phil! The interaction between species is fascinating, isn’t it? Are they juveniles? I love the protective way in which Radar is behaving.
The interaction never fails to amaze me Maggie for sure! These are juvenile spoonbills but one (the one with the adult red eye color) is older then the others. We also have the cranky adult in the area who is getting his ‘old man head’.
This is adorable, Phil. Here in Boston, we have that famous ‘Make Way for Ducklings” statue. Maybe they should rethink the cast of characters to include Radar plus the flamingos.
I think that Radar and a group of spoonbills would make an excellent statue! Glad you like these!
Yes, they would. I also think you must have a direct line to Central Casting to get such an amazing menagerie there in your marsh!
Sometimes it amazes even me when things fall into place so nicely. Doesn’t happen too often but always glad when it does.
And your readers are glad when it does, too!
Cool pics!
I really appreciate you checking them out!
so cool! Excellent shots Phil!
Thanks very much Gareth, I appreciate it!
Awesome pictures and great commentary. I missed the best night out again! 😦 Well, glad you shared these so I could . Thanks, Phil. Will be seeing you and Alyce in the marsh!
Thanks very much for looking and commenting Twila I greatly appreciate it! Never a dull moment out there when the spoonies show up right?! 🙂
You are amazing, this is great touches… How lovely and how beautiful… Thank you, love, nia
Thank you so much Nia, I am happy you liked these!
Thank you for pointing the antennas to us Phil. Otherwise, I would not have noticed it. This is the most amusing account from your marshes :D. I like the way you matched your font colour with the colour of spoonbills’ feathers 🙂
It’s great that we can actually pick out one egret from all the others due to the antennas. Sometimes Radar will disappear for weeks and everyone asks about him but then you look up one day and he’s back.
Glad you liked these photos Paula and of course the pink text!
😀
Great photo’s Phil, excellent work.
Thanks so much Jan, glad you enjoyed them.
Hello Phil,
perfect series, so lovely, great work!
Wish you a nice weekend,
moni
Thank you moni I hope you have been enjoying your weekend as well!
This is just too cute for words. Good to see Radar again! With spoonies for frosting. Life is good. Eh?
Life is indeed good! It’s always an extravaganza when the spoonies show up and throw in a protective egret or maybe an alligator and the fun never stops!
What a terrific piece of shooting and storytelling, Phil!
Well I’m very happy you enjoyed seeing these photos and reading the story about them!
Phil, I met you on Sunset Beach several years ago, wrote down the name of the CBC on the back of my card, and asked you to submit a photo of an osprey carrying a shark. Ever since I have been basking in the beauty of your work. Do you know what study the Egret is in? If you got a good close-up shot of the transmitter, you might be able to determine part of the name. Thank you for sharing your talent with many of us. Jo O’Keefe
Thank you very much for looking and commenting Jo! We have some info on the egret but I’m not sure they get much usable data from him since he doesn’t seem to travel very far. 🙂
Did you ever see the osprey with the shark photos?
https://phillanoue.com/2012/08/26/fresh-caught-shark/
They’re so adorable!
Oh they excel at being adorable! 😀
It’s not easy lining up spoonbills.
It would be easier trying to get kittens to line up on a straight row.
Just love his harem
That Radar is some piece of work. He is a big bird and considers himself head egret in charge of the marsh. Guess that includes everything.
I would be pleased about such a great teacher! ▲
Well it is always a fun and entertaining time to see these birds out there!
I really enjoyed the story. Radar makes a good mother duck. I wonder if his antenna ever gets removed?
Glad you enjoyed the story about Mama Radar, I doubt I will ever witness a scene like this again.
I asked if the transmitter pack was designed to simply drop off after a certain amount of time but was told it’s on permanent. So I guess poor Radar is stuck with it for life.
How cute is this!! And it really does look like he is ‘mothering’ them. Great shots BTW!
Thanks very much Molly and I could not believe the scene as I was watching it. Never saw anything like that before!
Phil
I’ve been traveling quite a bit recently and now that I’m home and catching up on email I noticed something missing. I’ve not received your daily notice regarding your blog posts.
Since reading your blog and enjoying your photos has become a ritual I really miss the notice. Do I have to subscribe gain? If so where and how?
I also noticed that you have not had any recent posts on the UHH so your blog will have to be my only connection. Hope all is well with you and your reptile buddies.
Take care my friend.
Larry
From South Florida
Hey Larry, good hearing from you and glad to see you here.
Drop me an email at photos.wildlife@gmail.com when you get a chance.
Nice to see your beautiful photography. Where did you see the spoonbills?
Thank you for visiting my humble site. I am honored to have a comment from you, professional photographer!
I am in the coastal SC area just south of Myrtle Beach and we have been getting spoonbill visitors every summer for the past 5 years. We still have a few around but it’s starting to get cold so they will likely leave soon.
Thank you for your kind words and I’m glad you enjoyed my photos.