Spoonbill Incoming
Two days ago I watched this spoonbill take off from the salt marsh and I thought it would fly further out looking for a new feeding spot. But instead, it did one loop around and decided to head into the same pine tree where all the wood storks were congregating.
It was funny seeing the one wood stork (seen in the first three photos) watch the spoonie carefully as it approached but, upon realizing spoonie was not planning to land on his head, the stork lost interest. Then the wood stork on the right took notice, as well as the one under the spoonbill, and by photo 6 you can see the two above looking down on the expected landing. Finally spoonie finds an empty branch and settles in, but that apparently did not please one wood stork who felt the need to immediately leave the tree.
Soon after this I was treated to a rare display of affection by a pair of wood storks in the same tree and that series of photos is a post for another day…
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Sono stupende, che grande meraviglia.
Bellissime!!!!
Grazie mille Pat! 🙂
Hello Phil,
amazing series, the 2nd photo is my favorit!!!
Wish you a nice weekend,
moni
Thanks moni glad you like these! Photo #2 is funny!
These are amazing captures Phil.
Thanks much Edith I appreciate that!
Spoonbilly seems to be constantly looking for a fight. Isn’t it? The little provocateur! 😉
He should be careful, he is outnumbered in a tree full of storks! 🙂
This seems to him not to be very clear! 😛
You are right about that!
I really like these birds … Their color as well as their face … I wish we had them were i live … And your photos of them are just great … // Maria 🙂
I appreciate that very much Maria, thanks! We love having them around!
Eine gelungene Fotografie – perfekte Aufnahme! 🙂
Vielen Dank bin ich glücklich genießen Sie die Fotos 🙂
Another great series of photos of your feathered friends! How often do these shore birds hang out in trees?
Thank you Deb, glad to know you liked these spoonie pics! I don’t see them in trees very often and these are among the few shots of them in trees that I have.
Amazing capture, Phil! It ‘s so much funny to see the wood stork reaction. The second one is just beautiful, Wow!
Those wood storks are quite comical for sure Amy! I like photo #6 with the two peering down on the landing spoonbill and the other one with his yap open. 🙂
I’m amazed that they can find their way to land amongst the branches given the wing spans. Great wonderful shots as usual!
You should see the wood storks when about 60 of them are all trying to land and find a branch on a tree that could maybe handle half that many large birds. 🙂
Thanks for checking these out.
I would dearly LOVE to see that!
Those wood storks are not much to look at up close they have a face only a mother could love, but they are elegant flyers and can be active and interesting birds.
I have series of wood stork ‘love birds’ coming up soon. 🙂
I never realized that birds this big hung out in trees. Is that because I’m from Iowa and all we have are blue jays, cardinals and sparrows? Hello blonde moment 1,298,745. Jeez! I love the series – especially photo two. And as always…that pink text! Happy Labor Day!
You should see when a whole bunch of them try to cram themselves onto sometimes shaky branches. It can be comical to say the least.
Almost left off the pink text this time, but glad I went with it.
Enjoy your weekend!
It’s like a stranger walking into a small town cafe – all eyes are on him.
Well it’s been funny because we are convinced that many of the typical birds we might see such as egrets, herons, ibis, wood storks etc. have likely never seen a spoonbill and probably don’t quite know what to make of it. Some birds seem to walk around next to them in the salt marsh not even feeding just staring at the big goofy pink birds in bewilderment.
Love the shots of life in the tree high rise!
Thanks very much and yes life in the penthouse is always top notch!
He must seem so exotic to them – they look very impressed! What a great series of photos!
Some of those storks likely have never seen a spoonbill before and are very interested. Thanks Maggie!
Lovely serie!
Thank you Hans glad you liked these photos!
Once again, another great visual story. Thanks for sharing! See you soon!
I really appreciate you checking these out, thanks and I’m happy you like them!
Great shots Phil, excellent nature photography.
Thanks very much Jan, I’m very happy you enjoyed these spoonbill photos!
Is this the same guy making all the trouble in the pond? If it is then he is obviously nothing but trouble wherever he goes. 🙂 Or is that just typical spoonie trouble-making in their genes? Pretty comical collection, Phil.
This was not our resident trouble maker, it was another individual. But those spoonbills can be goofy and often create problems without even realizing it. 🙂 Thanks Steve!
Marvelous action shots 🙂
Thank you Paula I appreciate that!
Was he jealous, Woody, or just acting the snob ? You have daily entertainment there, Phil and it’s great you sharing it with us.
No Woody was OK it’s just that not much impresses the wood storks, they are almost always quite stoic.
I’m very happy you enjoy the views of life in the marsh!
Clearly it didn’t bother him being the odd one out
No he seemed fine with being the only pink member of the club.
So, so cool! I don’t see them in trees that often. 🙂
I don’t see spoonbills in trees very often but wood storks spend a ton of time hanging around in trees. 🙂