I Did Not See THAT Coming!

Yesterday evening in the salt marsh we had an assortment of the usual suspects…spoonbills (including Mr. Grumpy) snowy egrets, wood storks, and white ibis, etc. Everybody seemed to be happily feeding and enjoying the evening, and even Mr. Cranky was behaving.

Suddenly these two white ibis broke out into a huge ruckus! We aren’t sure what the disagreement was about, but what was quite surprising was that we rarely see white ibis fight. They are generally rather docile birds and tend to get along well with everyone including each other. But this pair clearly had issues, and as best as we could tell, the one on the right was the primary aggressor as he chased the other ibis back into the reeds to conclude the battle.

53 thoughts on “I Did Not See THAT Coming!”

janmasyn on September 27, 2013 at 12:38 pm said:

Wonderful series Phil, great action shots.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 27, 2013 at 12:54 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jan I appreciate that.
  
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- Andrew on September 28, 2013 at 7:39 am said:
  
  These are splendid shots, Phil. Great aerial acrobatics.
  
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  - Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 2:57 pm said:
    
    Thank you Andrew, I was thrilled to see them put on this aerial display!
    
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Robert Miracle on September 27, 2013 at 12:45 pm said:

That’s some amazing shot’s Phil. We will be in Hilton Head shooting A car show first of November. Hope we can find a place to get some shots like that.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 27, 2013 at 12:55 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much for looking and commenting and I’m glad you liked these photos. \Hope you do find a spot for good photo ops when in HH.
  
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edithlevyphotography on September 27, 2013 at 12:47 pm said:

You may not have seen it coming but you sure captures in beautifully.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 27, 2013 at 12:56 pm said:
  
  I was very surprised that this just suddenly broke out. Glad you liked the photos Edith.
  
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Lyle Krahn on September 27, 2013 at 12:54 pm said:

You’re always prepared for the unexpected and great action.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 27, 2013 at 12:57 pm said:
  
  Gotta thank my wife for this one, I wasn’t paying attention when she suddenly yelled out “Fight Fight!!” Good thing someone is alert out there. 🙂
  
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monisertel on September 27, 2013 at 12:58 pm said:

Dear Phil,
thank you for show us these amazing pictures of the dance from wonderful birds!
Wish you a nice weekend,
moni

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- Phil Lanoue on September 27, 2013 at 1:40 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much for looking moni and I’m am very glad you liked these birds!
  
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Susan Sohl on September 27, 2013 at 1:02 pm said:

Wow! �That sure is unusual. �What great pictures!

________________________________

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- Phil Lanoue on September 27, 2013 at 1:41 pm said:
  
  Don’t remember ever seeing ibis going at it like this and not sure what the issue was. Thanks for checking these out Sue!
  
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HansHB on September 27, 2013 at 1:43 pm said:

Fighting for their Territory!?
Great photo!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 27, 2013 at 2:29 pm said:
  
  I think that could be it! Thanks Hans!
  
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Jonathan Caswell on September 27, 2013 at 2:10 pm said:

Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
MUST BE TRUE LOVE?

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 2:58 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much for checking these out and commenting and I greatly appreciate the reblog! 🙂
  
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acuriousgal on September 27, 2013 at 2:13 pm said:

Such a great capture, Phil!!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 27, 2013 at 3:06 pm said:
  
  I appreciate your kind comments, thanks!
  
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Deb W. Trotter on September 27, 2013 at 2:45 pm said:

Wow, amazing photos!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 27, 2013 at 3:07 pm said:
  
  I’m really happy you enjoyed these ibis shots Deb and thanks for checking them out!
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on September 27, 2013 at 3:08 pm said:

Even birds have pissing contests! Great photos!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 2:59 pm said:
  
  Oh wow they sure do! These guys looked kind of serious too which is unusual. Glad you liked ’em!
  
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adinparadise on September 27, 2013 at 3:22 pm said:

Well you and your camera were sure ready for their bad-tempered display, Phil. 🙂 Fabulous shots.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 3:00 pm said:
  
  I almost wasn’t ready Sylvia, my wife alerted me to the action while I was otherwise distracted. 🙂
  Glad you enjoyed the photos!
  
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Amy on September 27, 2013 at 3:43 pm said:

How amazing! Great action shots, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 3:00 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million Amy I’m so happy you enjoyed these ibis photos!
  
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dinajohnston on September 27, 2013 at 3:43 pm said:

Wow! Great action shots. I’ve never seen them do that. Is it too early for them to be flirting?

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 3:01 pm said:
  
  I have never seen them go at it anywhere near as seriously as this and it looked a lot more like a fight then a flirt. 🙂
  Thanks for checking these out and glad you like them.
  
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Steve Gingold on September 27, 2013 at 5:16 pm said:

This is why it pays to revisit places…or in your case have a regular haunt…we just never know what nature will present us with and when we think we have seen it all…well here comes something new. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 3:02 pm said:
  
  Steve that’s a big part of what keeps me going out there so often, you really never do know what a day will bring. Nature can be amazing for sure!
  
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The Dancing Rider on September 27, 2013 at 5:18 pm said:

Looks like quite a little squabble there. Again, I notice the beady, focused eyes! Yikes.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 3:03 pm said:
  
  Oh they had a major disagreement for sure! The adult ibis get these deep blue eyes as they age, very striking.
  
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pixelspielerei on September 27, 2013 at 6:48 pm said:

The main thing is, that they didn’t break off there beaks! Then they have to die, right?

But the pictures are great, very interesting! ▲

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 3:03 pm said:
  
  I never saw any break their beaks which is good for them, they need those for feeding. 🙂
  
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Sheila on September 27, 2013 at 8:49 pm said:

Whoa, what a series of shots! Congratulations!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 3:04 pm said:
  
  I really appreciate you looking and commenting, thanks!
  
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Nandini on September 28, 2013 at 2:54 am said:

Really great captures. Thanks for sharing the fight. 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 3:04 pm said:
  
  Well I really appreciate you looking and commenting and I’m happy you enjoyed the photos.
  
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foxleylady on September 28, 2013 at 6:30 am said:

Well done, both of you! Cracking action shots, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 3:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Maggie I’m very happy you enjoyed these ibis photos!
  
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Judy on September 28, 2013 at 12:49 pm said:

In the nesting colonies I have seen white ibis tangle it up. Sometimes the tussle starts in the trees and then suddenly they pop up rising vertically into the air still engaged in whatever trespass many have occurred in the colony. But, other than in nesting colonies, the white ibis generally are peaceable relatively speaking.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 3:06 pm said:
  
  Other then the occasional snap at their friend’s tail or bill smack these birds are generally quite docile in my experience. Don’t know what got into this pair.
  
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ruthincolorado on September 28, 2013 at 4:03 pm said:

Wow! Fabulous shot, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 3:06 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much I appreciate you looking!
  
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Jeff | Planet Bell on September 28, 2013 at 5:19 pm said:

Awesome photos. Ibis are usually pretty docile in my experience. I wonder what upset them?

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 3:07 pm said:
  
  That’s exactly right Jeff, that’s my experience with them as well and I have no idea what set this whole event off.
  
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suburbanferndaleark on September 28, 2013 at 6:54 pm said:

Another great series Phil! Spectacular fencing with bills!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2013 at 3:08 pm said:
  
  Good description for sure, I like the fencing image! 🙂
  
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Scott Marshall on October 7, 2013 at 5:59 pm said:

what to say – great action

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Don on December 26, 2013 at 1:25 pm said:

New to your site.
I am trying to do what you do but, have nothing close to your quality of shots.
I don’t see info on camera, lens, settings,etc.
Could you fill me in on a quick reply of your basic setup.
I don’t see how you could keep up with all of the people who are following you.
So, I thank you for your posting so that I may be able to enjoy you work.

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- Phil Lanoue on December 26, 2013 at 6:21 pm said:
  
  Hi Don, great to see you here and glad you are enjoying my photos!
  I shoot with Canon 7D and a Canon 300 f4 usually with a Canon 1.4 extender attached.
  I shoot in Manual mode 98% of the time.
  If you look at the top section and pick out any bird or animal and check out the individual shots in those galleries I believe there is shooting info on those shots.
  Best,
  Phil
  
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