Shrimp On The Run

Yesterday evening we were watching this spoonbill feeding in the salt marsh between the oyster beds. A favorite food of the spoonbills are these tiny transparent glass shrimp that are often brought in with the tide. At one point spoonie got into a whole mess of the shrimp and they reacted by jumping out of the water and away from the pink predator. The spoonbill had the shrimp on the run and spoonie was on the chase as he followed them along the shallow water gobbling them up as he ran!

31 thoughts on “Shrimp On The Run”

Patrizia M. on October 21, 2013 at 5:28 pm said:

Fantastico, sono talmente ottimi questi scatti che si vedono i gamberetti anche se sono piccolissimi.
Complimenti Phil
Ciao, Pat

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2013 at 5:57 pm said:
  
  Sono felice potete vedere quelli minuscoli gamberetti e contento che ti piacciono le foto.
  Grazie Pat!
  
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Steve Gingold on October 21, 2013 at 5:33 pm said:

The living is good when the pickings are easy. For whatever reason, I always get a smile from a spoonie with its bill open.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2013 at 5:54 pm said:
  
  I know exactly what you mean about the open bill spoonie shots. Even though I have a bunch of them I absolutely have to take more every chance I get. 🙂
  
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Gunta on October 21, 2013 at 5:51 pm said:

I’ve never seen those transparent shrimp. If you hadn’t explained, it would almost seem as though they were weird water droplets. The things I learn here….. 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2013 at 5:55 pm said:
  
  I can’t remember ever seeing so many of those glass shrimp all jumping away from a bird like that, I would not have even thought it possible until I saw it. Ya never know what ya might see in WP land. 🙂
  
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  - Gunta on October 21, 2013 at 6:09 pm said:
    
    That’s what makes it so great!
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2013 at 6:14 pm said:
      
      Absolutely!
      
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Cowboys and Crossbones on October 21, 2013 at 5:59 pm said:

You know I love my spoonies and pink text!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2013 at 6:16 pm said:
  
  Well yeah you gotta love the goofy pink birds. Doesn’t matter how many pictures I take, if one of these clowns is out there you can be sure I will be as well getting yet more photos. Plus I can’t miss out on one doing something cute right?!?
  
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  - Cowboys and Crossbones on October 22, 2013 at 10:11 am said:
    
    Heck no you can’t miss out on doing something cute!
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on October 22, 2013 at 4:26 pm said:
      
      Plus as you know they excel at cuteness. 🙂
      
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adinparadise on October 21, 2013 at 9:20 pm said:

Those shrimp were really jumping, Phil. There’s a chain of fast food restaurants in South Africa, called ‘Gobble and Go’. Your spoonie pics just reminded me. 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on October 22, 2013 at 4:27 pm said:
  
  You know… As much as the spoonies would love it, I’m thinking that restaurant would be a perfect spot for our good pal Mr. A to stop in for a quick bite. 😀
  
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  - adinparadise on October 22, 2013 at 7:50 pm said:
    
    Hahaha. That would really frighten the other clientele away! 😀
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on October 23, 2013 at 2:22 pm said:
      
      Or…maybe it would bring in the customers! People love alligators! They could try hiring one on a temporary basis to see how he works out. The first time he grabs a diner by the leg though I guess would be the time to let him go.
      
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digitalgranny on October 21, 2013 at 9:48 pm said:

These are amazing photos.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 22, 2013 at 4:27 pm said:
  
  Hey glad you liked them!
  
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janmasyn on October 22, 2013 at 4:25 am said:

Wonderful shots of this Roseate spoonbill.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 22, 2013 at 4:28 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jan, I photograph them every chance I get and hope they stay around a while longer.
  
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The Dancing Rider on October 22, 2013 at 9:59 am said:

That is another detailed capture of nature at work. Amazing how those little glass guys go right into spoonie’s mouth! 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on October 22, 2013 at 4:29 pm said:
  
  At the speed old spoonface is blasting that spatula bill around in the water those shrimp don’t stand much of a chance. 🙂
  
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foxleylady on October 22, 2013 at 1:14 pm said:

Such fantastic detail, Phil! Beautiful light, as well!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 22, 2013 at 4:30 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much Maggie, and I got lucky with that early evening light because it changed very quickly and soon after I got these shots it became very dim out there.
  
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Lyle Krahn on October 22, 2013 at 1:39 pm said:

Watching those shrimp jump out of the water must be a sight for sore spoonie eyes! Fantastic shots again.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 22, 2013 at 4:32 pm said:
  
  Oh that pink spoonface bird was moving through the marsh like a shark through a school of mullet. Those shrimp that were not lucky enough to jump away became an instant entrée. Thanks for checking these out and glad you liked them.
  
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HansHB on October 22, 2013 at 4:58 pm said:

Great serie, awesome bird!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 22, 2013 at 5:09 pm said:
  
  Thanks Hans, they are fun to see and photograph.
  
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pixelspielerei on October 23, 2013 at 8:04 pm said:

Spoonie looks pretty k.o., don’t he? Your photos are all the more vivid and again very nice!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 24, 2013 at 11:58 am said:
  
  Well I very much appreciate your kind comments, thanks a bunch!
  
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Fergiemoto on October 25, 2013 at 11:45 pm said:

I love their color, but still can’t get over the shape of their bill! Great shots!

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