He’s At It Again!!

Well our cranky dysfunctional loner spoonbill was at it again yesterday in the salt marsh. (that’s him on the right) Mr. Grumpy was feeding at low tide when a group of six spoonbills suddenly came swooping in right at the spot where our anti-social pink friend was already feeding. He did not care for this unannounced intrusion at all and immediately attacked one of the new arrivals!

Mr. Grumpy leapt up in an airborne assault but he miscalculated as the enemy spoonie managed to grab hold of our disgruntled friend’s foot in mid air! This maneuver only served to further anger the cranky pink bird who proceeded to use that same foot to jam the head of his opponent down into the water. You can see that happen in photos five and six. The poor spoonbill was able to avoid being drowned as it quickly freed itself and bolted free of the entanglement with our aggressor still continuing his aggressive stance.

72 thoughts on “He’s At It Again!!”

Ricky Simpson on August 27, 2013 at 12:47 pm said:

Gorgeous colors Phil. That blue and pink really pops! Great captures.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 27, 2013 at 12:54 pm said:
  
  Thanks much for checking these out Ricky and I really appreciate your very kind words.
  
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Deb W. Trotter on August 27, 2013 at 12:54 pm said:

These are amazing photos of crazy shenanigans! The secret lives of spoonbills….who knew?!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 27, 2013 at 1:35 pm said:
  
  It’s just gets more wacky out there every day Deb. I never saw some of this behavior before, maybe it’s just our ‘special’ boy. 🙂
  
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lemanshots on August 27, 2013 at 12:55 pm said:

Gut gelungene Aufnahme! .-)

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- Phil Lanoue on August 27, 2013 at 2:14 pm said:
  
  Vielen Dank bin ich glücklich genießen Sie die Fotos 🙂
  
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lylekrahn on August 27, 2013 at 1:00 pm said:

Great action. Just another family gathering.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 27, 2013 at 1:36 pm said:
  
  Thanks there was more then one altercation out there too, they (well one in particular) were in some mood.
  
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janmasyn on August 27, 2013 at 1:03 pm said:

Amazing shots Phil, Top nature photography.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 27, 2013 at 1:36 pm said:
  
  I appreciate that very much Jan, thanks!
  
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Judi van der Kaay on August 27, 2013 at 1:06 pm said:

Gracious – the language!!!!! Terrible manners to say nothing of no self-discipline………….

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- Phil Lanoue on August 27, 2013 at 1:37 pm said:
  
  Oh it was a scene for adults only out there last night. They went at it more then once too, it was quite a crazy situation for sure.
  
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meyer23 on August 27, 2013 at 1:31 pm said:

Fantastic shots of this good old “Who’s the king?” game.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 27, 2013 at 1:38 pm said:
  
  They must enjoy that game because they played it several times. 😀
  
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Beverly on August 27, 2013 at 1:36 pm said:

Well that’s foul! Even the bird kingdom has some “can’t-get-along” creatures. Great captures!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 27, 2013 at 1:38 pm said:
  
  I don’t think this one guy can get along with anybody, not even the wood storks or ibis.
  Glad you like the pics!
  
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Kitt Crescendo on August 27, 2013 at 3:07 pm said:

Looks like a turf war! Next thing you know the Jets and the Sharks are gonna show up and all heck will break loose forcing Mr Gator to lay down the law!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 27, 2013 at 3:56 pm said:
  
  Uh oh, if we have to bring out Mr. Gator to settle this dispute heads are gonna roll. Or maybe be eaten. 🙂
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on August 27, 2013 at 3:49 pm said:

These spoonbills should have their own soap opera…or maybe today, reality show. And the cranky pants would be the villain, spoiling everyone’s fun time. I hope his ankle hurts just a little bit due to his attitude! Crazy cool pics, as always (and the text….you know I love the text color).

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- Phil Lanoue on August 27, 2013 at 3:54 pm said:
  
  We could steal a title from the current Netflix series , “Orange is the New Black” and call it Pink is the New Black.
  It’s about a ‘rouge’ spoonbill who sees himself outside the law and goes around the marsh creating mayhem.
  Or perhaps a drama about a motorcycle gang…Spoonbills of Anarchy?!
  See these are all great ideas! 😛
  
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HansHB on August 27, 2013 at 4:17 pm said:

Fighting for positions?
Great serie!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 10:23 am said:
  
  They seemed to be fighting just to be fighting so who knows? Thanks Jan!
  
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Gunta on August 27, 2013 at 4:20 pm said:

I feel bad for the other spoonbills, but ole Grumpy makes for some great actions shots. And best of all, you’re there snapping all this wonderful action!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:26 pm said:
  
  We saw him again yesterday evening…all by himself, which is apparently the way he likes it. But bad for me because then I get no fight photos.
  I’m happy you have been enjoying these spoonie pics!
  
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foxleylady on August 27, 2013 at 4:24 pm said:

What fantastic pictures, Phil! I thought swans could be homicidal but spoonies …….! He is certainly one to be avoided!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:29 pm said:
  
  He is a real terror out there Maggie for sure. It’s not just a one time thing with this bird either, we have seen him act this many several times. 😯
  
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pixelspielerei on August 27, 2013 at 4:45 pm said:

My goodness, they are brutal! It’s certainly enough food for everyone there, right? But your photos are again very impressive! ▲

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:30 pm said:
  
  There is enough food for everyone, I don’t think that is his issue. He just can not get along well with others. 🙂
  
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edithlevyphotography on August 27, 2013 at 5:44 pm said:

Oh my he’s quite the instigator. Nicely captured.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:31 pm said:
  
  Oh he is a huge pain in the neck (literally) out there Edith. Glad you liked these photos!
  
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grasberry on August 27, 2013 at 7:29 pm said:

Very good, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:31 pm said:
  
  Thanks much for checking these out Gareth!
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on August 27, 2013 at 8:04 pm said:

Dysfunctional Pink family. They really have a Mr. Bitter in their flock. What wonderful captures of the feud.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:32 pm said:
  
  The thing is that all the others seem to mostly get along fine, it’s this one anti social loner that creates all the problems. Maybe he needs a vacation and a little therapy. 🙂
  
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Steve Gingold on August 27, 2013 at 8:21 pm said:

Great action shots, Phil. I think someone needs a time out. Love the pink leggings.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:34 pm said:
  
  Oh he needs a time out for sure, he has such an awful attitude. Sometimes they look like they are wearing pink knickers. 🙂
  
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Andrew on August 27, 2013 at 10:45 pm said:

Spectacular. In Britain he’d get an ASBO for that. (Anti-Social Behaviour Order).

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:36 pm said:
  
  He would deserve that for sure. What a pain this guy is! Everyone else gets along OK. and I have a photo of this guy standing right behind a large alligator. Do you think he gave the gator a hard time? No he did not.
  
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Twila Ehrfeld on August 28, 2013 at 12:56 am said:

“how many pictures do you need to take of a Spoonbill anyway?” THE BEST ONES!!! Awesome pictures. I am excited about these!! Great job!!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:36 pm said:
  
  Well you know how it goes out there, you can’t help but to always take *more* pics of these pink guys!
  Thanks for looking and commenting!
  
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niasunset on August 28, 2013 at 1:45 am said:

They are really fighting 🙂 great photographs, fascinated me! Thank you dear Phil, love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:37 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much Nia, I’m happy you enjoyed these!
  
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mariayarri on August 28, 2013 at 4:39 am said:

Wonderful photos ! // Maria 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:37 pm said:
  
  I am glad you enjoyed them Maria, thanks!
  
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thehappyhugger on August 28, 2013 at 4:46 am said:

Such a cranky bird shouldn’t be allowed to wear pink 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:38 pm said:
  
  You are 100% correct about that. Of course maybe he is over compensating for being forced to always dress in pink. 🙂
  
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Dina on August 28, 2013 at 5:33 am said:

This is so wonderful, almost unreal. You should present it to National Geographic, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:38 pm said:
  
  I greatly appreciate those kind words Dina, thanks!
  
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babsje on August 28, 2013 at 9:25 am said:

Fabulous sequence, Phil. what did it sound like? I’ve never heard spoonies.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:39 pm said:
  
  They are actually very quiet birds. Some soft, low grunting sounds are about it. These battles take place in a virtually silent scene. Really amazing.
  
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  - babsje on August 28, 2013 at 2:29 pm said:
    
    Wow, that’s incredible. Thanks again for sharing your marsh adventures with us.
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 2:33 pm said:
      
      I’m happy you are enjoying the photos and tales from the marsh!
      
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      - babsje on August 28, 2013 at 4:19 pm said:
        
        🙂
        
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Geri on August 28, 2013 at 9:30 am said:

Guess I don’t have to tell you just how great this bunch is do I??? It is always fun to see what you have found
at the “Swamp Gator”. PS I read that you back up your back up. Hope to see you soon.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:40 pm said:
  
  Thanks for checking these out and I’m glad you like the spoonie shots!
  
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adinparadise on August 28, 2013 at 12:27 pm said:

Wow! Those spoonies really don’t mess about, do they? Fabulous sequence of pics, Phil. You should make a movie. 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 1:41 pm said:
  
  For big pink goofy birds no they surely do not mess around Sylvia you are right about that! Many times I wish I would have switched over to video at times like these. I need a production crew. 😉 😀
  
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Twila on August 28, 2013 at 1:44 pm said:

I have looked and looked at these pictures! I am still in awe!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 28, 2013 at 2:34 pm said:
  
  We are thrilled you are enjoying the photos!
  
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Shelley on August 28, 2013 at 7:42 pm said:

So much for pink being a pacifying color…

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- Phil Lanoue on August 29, 2013 at 5:38 pm said:
  
  Yes I guess that takes care of that. 🙂
  
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zannyro on August 28, 2013 at 8:45 pm said:

Oh my lord…amazing capture!!!!!!!!!!! What a series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Standing ovation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 29, 2013 at 5:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million for the very kind words! 😀
  
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Paula Harrington on August 29, 2013 at 3:26 pm said:

Get that bird some Zoloft. I hear if you take that you do not give a flying hoot what others do.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 29, 2013 at 5:39 pm said:
  
  Something tells me our grumpy pink friend is beyond medical help, he is a compulsive crank.
  
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Judy on August 30, 2013 at 9:17 am said:

Stellar series!!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 30, 2013 at 12:27 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Judy!
  
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pviette on August 31, 2013 at 3:09 pm said:

The bully of the playground 🙂

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crazytraintotinkytown on September 1, 2013 at 8:30 am said:

Is he always on his own and I didn’t realise Spoonbills were quite so aggressive

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Littlesundog on September 3, 2013 at 9:53 pm said:

Phil, these are great photos! You capture so much emotion… what a heated battle!

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jhh1964 on August 19, 2015 at 3:03 pm said:

I reckon he’s a bully lol

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- Phil Lanoue on August 19, 2015 at 3:54 pm said:
  
  He’s some piece of work for sure!
  
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