Bath Time

Clapper Rails are generally rather secretive and elusive birds. They can often be heard loudly squawking while hidden in among the reeds in the salt marsh, but rarely are they seen. Occasionally a clapper can be spotted out in the open and earlier this week I found this one that decided now was the perfect time for a bath!

The rail splashed around in the salt water making sure all the feathers got a good rinsing. Then once the bathing portion of the day was concluded, it scurried out of the water and back to the hidden safety provided by the reeds.

18 thoughts on “Bath Time”

Patrizia M. on September 24, 2014 at 2:50 pm said:

Bellissime!! Hai colto attimo per attimo la sua toelettatura 🙂
ciao, Pat

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- Phil Lanoue on September 25, 2014 at 6:16 pm said:
  
  Grazie Pat!
  Cheers! 🍸
  
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Katrina W on September 24, 2014 at 3:10 pm said:

Love these shots, Phil! The third one feels like “What do you think you’re looking at?!” before he stomps back to his reeds in exasperation in the 4th shot, LOL!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 25, 2014 at 6:49 pm said:
  
  These rails really are interesting and expressive birds. I’m glad I got a chance to show some here because I do not see them very often. I hear them cackling and yacking out there but often they stay hidden.
  
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Lyle Krahn on September 24, 2014 at 3:35 pm said:

That’s a serious bath. Well done all around.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 25, 2014 at 6:50 pm said:
  
  It was indeed a serious bath, this guy wasn’t fooling around. He even left once then came back again for more.
  
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ron brown on September 24, 2014 at 3:52 pm said:

beautiful shots of the hard to find bird .

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- Phil Lanoue on September 25, 2014 at 6:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, I was happy to see this one come out close for a nice view! 🙂
  
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The Lite Rider on September 24, 2014 at 4:15 pm said:

He’s a cute guy. It’s very interesting that the salt water doesn’t irritate them in some way.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 25, 2014 at 6:52 pm said:
  
  It’s funny because there is a fresh water area they could go to but I rarely see one there so I guess they are fine with the salt water. The alligators I see in the salt marsh will not stay there for long, the salt will get to them after a while and they go back to fresh water areas.
  
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Pat on September 24, 2014 at 6:46 pm said:

Wonderful captures!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 25, 2014 at 6:53 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch Pat, glad you liked seeing the clapper!
  
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Linda on September 24, 2014 at 7:07 pm said:

Great Shots!!!! Thanks Phil for these amazing photos

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- Phil Lanoue on September 25, 2014 at 6:53 pm said:
  
  I’m very happy you enjoyed them, thank you!
  
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toughlittlebirds on September 24, 2014 at 9:25 pm said:

Wow, what a neat, rare thing to see! Thanks for sharing!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 25, 2014 at 6:54 pm said:
  
  I was excited that this guy choose to not only come out and bathe while I was there, but it was nice he did it fairly close by. 🙂
  
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foxleyladym on September 25, 2014 at 6:33 am said:

These are such great pictures Phil! So difficult to photograph these beautiful birds!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 25, 2014 at 6:23 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much Maggie, glad you liked seeing our reclusive clapper! 🐱
  
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