Is Mr. Cranky Still…Cranky?!

Yesterday morning as the action slowed down and the birds were done feeding, most everyone was taking it easy and enjoying a quiet time in the marsh pond. But I could tell one bird, a certain Monsieur Cranky, was feeling just a bit feisty. One of the young spoonbills must have gotten the same impression because he jumped out of Cranky’s way with only a look needed from the elder bird to get the message across. Mr. Cranky’s reputation by now is well known and I guess the juvenile just figured it was the safest and wisest move.

At this point it looked like everyone had calmed down and one spoonie was even on one leg preparing for a nap. At first Mr. Cranky appeared to be on board with going into a full relaxation mode but that good behavior of course would not last long. He just had to take a few steps over and bite his friend on the tail in an attempt to liven things up a bit and let the other spoonbills know who was really in charge around here.

The offended juvie did not make a big deal out of a little bite on the tail, and he basically stood his ground which may come back to ‘bite’ him later. 🙂 Notice also how the other spoonbill stayed up on one leg and kept himself out of the altercation. The two young tricolored herons preferred to ignore the ill mannered behavior as well which was a wise decision.

26 thoughts on “Is Mr. Cranky Still…Cranky?!”

photographybyjoylene on October 5, 2013 at 12:51 pm said:

Amazing photos! So one leg means “I’m not interested” ?

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- Phil Lanoue on October 5, 2013 at 1:08 pm said:
  
  Well they will typically go up on one leg when it’s nap time. They tuck their head back behind and under the wings and drift off. 🙂
  Here’s one from a recent post: https://phillanoue.com/2013/09/30/morning-and-evening-at-the-marsh/yesterday-at-the-marsh-06/
  
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  - photographybyjoylene on October 5, 2013 at 1:16 pm said:
    
    Cool! So when they do this no one bothers them? I will have to try that sometime 🙂
    Love your pink bird photos!
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on October 6, 2013 at 12:45 pm said:
      
      Well they are really only trying to rest when they stand on one leg but it does not mean that no other bird will bother them. Although we typically see many birds all deciding to rest at the same time so it usually all works out fine. 🙂
      
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      - photographybyjoylene on October 8, 2013 at 9:01 am said:
        
        Cooperation!
        
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  - Paula on October 5, 2013 at 3:07 pm said:
    
    They sleep with one leg up? Impressive. 😀 Wonderful photos, Phil!
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on October 6, 2013 at 12:46 pm said:
      
      Quite a few birds will sleep standing on one leg. Doesn’t seem all the restful to me but what do I know?! 🙂
      
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Lyle Krahn on October 5, 2013 at 1:00 pm said:

In addition to everything else, the sky reflected in the water is beautiful. I wonder if the juveniles decide one day he has gone too far and gang up on him. I think you should organize this – it would be a great photo op.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 5, 2013 at 1:13 pm said:
  
  Thanks, that water looked pretty nice in the morning, and at the right angle.
  I had thought Mr. Grumpy was rehabilitated because he seemed to be getting along much better with everyone, but that was last week. Guess he couldn’t maintain it for too long.
  Many birds getting together to gang up on the bully sounds like a great idea but I never see that happen. The aggressive bullies are pretty much always free to push around even several birds at a time and the crowd mostly just goes along with it.
  
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adinparadise on October 5, 2013 at 2:34 pm said:

Mr Cranky seems to be a real trouble-maker, but it seems as though the others have the right idea, which is to just ignore him. I can also stand on one leg, but not whilst I’m asleep. 🙂 Fabulous pics again, Phil. The colours are amazing.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 6, 2013 at 12:48 pm said:
  
  I thought our cranky pink spoonbill had come around as he seemed to be getting along well with all his friends but looks like the temptation to backslide a bit just gets too much for him sometimes.
  Standing on one leg to sleep does not seem to me to be very restful but what do I know?! 🙂
  
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  - adinparadise on October 6, 2013 at 12:51 pm said:
    
    Exactly, Phil. If you’ve never tried it, you wouldn’t know. 😀
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on October 6, 2013 at 12:57 pm said:
      
      It might be the standing in the water part that would ultimately do me in. Don’t think I would be happy with water logged feet (or foot). 😀
      
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      - adinparadise on October 6, 2013 at 1:40 pm said:
        
        https://www.google.com/search?q=water+logged+feet&client=firefox-a&hs=lVE&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=GqBRUpDlGYv49gSv_YHYCQ&ved=0CDcQsAQ&biw=744&bih=396&dpr=1.71
        
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Deb W. Trotter on October 5, 2013 at 3:42 pm said:

I am struck by how much these beautiful photos remind me of paintings. The birds solid, standing out from the broken background. Lovely, Phil. Good story, too. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on October 6, 2013 at 12:49 pm said:
  
  Well I am thrilled that you enjoy these photos Deb and greatly appreciate your kind words. :-0
  
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The Dancing Rider on October 5, 2013 at 3:47 pm said:

Mr. Cranky is really something isn’t he?! I think he has too much of whatever bird hormones affect his behavior! LOL! When I read your narrative, I felt guilty laughing about the bite on the tail. I guess he just can’t help himself. 🙂 These colors are so nice to see!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 6, 2013 at 12:52 pm said:
  
  I like the look on MC’s face in the last photo as if he was thinking to himself…”well, I took care of that situation”
  For the most part he did behave himself but all it takes is one tail biting incident to start him right back on the path to full crankyness. 🙂
  
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Amy on October 5, 2013 at 5:45 pm said:

I think that’s it… he wants be in charge around here and is letting everyone know. 🙂 Beautiful shots, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 6, 2013 at 12:54 pm said:
  
  I think that is the situation as well, he is pretty much OK with other birds (including other spoonbills) being around but they have to know who the head pink bird is. 😀
  
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janmasyn on October 6, 2013 at 3:10 am said:

Wonderful shots Phil, the reflection in the water is awesome.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 6, 2013 at 12:54 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Jan glad you enjoyed these photos.
  
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foxleylady on October 6, 2013 at 5:00 am said:

He just can’t resist, can he?! It’s as if he is saying “Well, I’ve been good for ages, so just a little nip wouldn’t hurt”!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 6, 2013 at 12:55 pm said:
  
  That’s exactly it, he can behave for a little while but it likely takes too much effort to maintain it for very long and next think you know he is taking a little nip out of his friend’s tail. Oh well…it happens, what can you do?! 😀
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on October 9, 2013 at 1:47 pm said:

What a big baby! I love to hate Mr. Cranky and look forward to seeing what antics you’ve caught on camera!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 9, 2013 at 4:52 pm said:
  
  I hope he sticks around for a while longer. I didn’t see him in a couple days now but got a report he was spotted this morning so there could be yet more MR. C antics in the near future!
  
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