Thursday, January 24, 2013

Ibises Galore

More of the ibises spotted at Highland Road Park. A foot of water on the soccer fields proved irresistible to these birds. The white ones are the adults and the colored ones are juveniles. They eat mostly aquatic prey such as small fish and insects, preferring crawfish. During breeding season they gather in large colonies. Pairs are mostly monogamous, and both male and female care for their young. The chemical methylmercury has impacted the behavior of the white ibis, with reproduction and mating behavior significantly affected. The chemical has also increased the male-male pairing behaviors by 55%. Hmmmm...fascinating. Source: Wikipedia.






This one seems to be saying TIME OUT! 






Linking with



54 comments:

Anonymous said...

Spectacular, Gail!

Kim Stevens said...

Oh a girl after my own heart...I'm a Texas gulf coast girl, (Galveston area) and have been enjoying them here as well. Fabulous, wonderful, photos!! Thanks for sharing...

hootnonny said...

Awesome! I love the water droplet bokeh.

TexWisGirl said...

these are so great! love all the water splashes and reflections. :)

Brian King said...

The splashing water and the reflections are fantastic! Awesome shots! This is a species we don't get to see.

Anonymous said...

Wow wow wow - you're very talented! Love the first and last shots most.

the wild magnolia said...

These photographs are so perfect and real, I could reach out and touch them.

The one with it's wings in an inverted heart, outstanding capture.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I love all of these pics! They are such beautiful birds.

Deanna said...

You must have been in heaven surrounded by all this beauty. Great captures!!

Gone Country said...

I've never seen so many Ibises congregated in one location. That's fantastic! As are your photos!

The 'time out' one is adorable!

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

I adore the second photo, its like he was saying, "dats-it', keep moving and if all of a sudden you go under, I will know you feel off an under water cliff".



HA!!! soccer field under a foot of water. my hubby was a national soccer ref, they have played some of those situations. The only time they call a halt to the game if there is lightening.



LOVE your photos!!!

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

geeee... ther is fell and not feel... I am going to go soak my head.

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Drats.... that is "That" not Ther... NO brain left to soak.

eileeninmd said...

Wow, amazing shots of the Ibis! Cool sighting of the large flock too. Great post!

Lynn said...

If we get to pick a favorite, mine is the time-out guy. All your shots today are beautiful, Gail

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I love these birds .... your flight shot, with the lacy shadow patterns on their wings, is absolutely incredible. Just breathtaking.

We have the same bird here in Florida. (I hate to post any of my pictures, because your photos are soooo much better.) But they are wonderful to watch and fun to try (in my case) to photograph.

Cynthia Schelzig said...

What fabulous shots of these gorgeous birds!!! wow!!

Lisa Gordon said...

They really are so beautiful, Gail.
Love, love, love, "Time Out!"
Perfect timing on that one.

Kathy said...

You win! Again!

Chatty Crone said...

Those awesome gorgeous beautiful birds in flight - I love them.

Anonymous said...

Now, that IS very interesting! If they've studied that to come up w/ the actual fact itself, I wonder what they plan to do about it... that info needs to be published on a larger scale!

LOVE the 'TIME OUT', made me laugh out loud!
These are all just so beautiful, Gail!

Thank you enormously for joining =)))

Anonymous said...

wow! love them all, but the first one is just outstanding!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Ha! I love the time out shot. The black tip on their wings is such a nice decorative touch from their Creator. The spashing droplets of water and the reflections add to the overall beauty of the pictures.

The Cranky said...

Absolutely stunning Gail, and some interesting photos as well!

beth said...

seriously, has national geographic magazine not contacted you yet for your photos ?

and that time out one....OMG.....love it !!!

Anonymous said...

Incredible as always! You see time out...I turn him upside down & see a heart! LOL how funny...these images are all so amazing. Love & Hugs, xoxo

Stephanie said...

My dear Gail, it always a joy looking at your delightful pictures - they are so incredible and beautiful!

Hugs to you,
Stephanie

Ruth Hiebert said...

These pictures are fantastic. I like those blue eyes.

Elisa said...

Fantastic shots! I really love the one of them taking flight. Beautiful!

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Wow Gail, you have some gorgeous shots here! Too many to chose a favourite. Must be fascinating to watch them a while.

Suzan said...

They are ALL absolutly beautiful!! You really do need to contact National Geographic!! Equivalent-- if not better!

Ann said...

beautiful birds!!!
i can't believe how BLUE their eyes are!!!!!
your photos are gorgeous!!

Anonymous said...

I'm speechless! These are incredible!

Katie

Tricia said...

Good heavens, look at them all! I really love the shot that's third from the bottom with all the water droplets.

Barbara said...

These are fantastic, Gail! I'm thinking National Geographic...

Dianne said...

incredible!
I love the time out shot
and I love how you captured drops of water as though they were diamonds
so beautiful

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Awesome shots Gail!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

It's amazing how you are able to capture such beauty with a camera lense.

Evelyn S. said...

Gail...these belong in a book! Again,you've captured that terrific light and water droplets, birds in reflection, birds flying....just fabulous!

renae said...

GAIL!!!! MAGNIFICENT photos!!!!!!

That 'time out' one is very wonderful. My goodness gracious!!!

I love hearing about everyone's shoes. That is so fun. Thank you for your nice words regarding my shoe talents and wants. You are great fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ♥

Anonymous said...

What beautiful birds! Your captures are wonderful!

Reena said...

So many spectacular captures! They do make great for photos!

EG CameraGirl said...

How cool to see the ibises! Can you tell I'm jealous?! ( I am, big time@)

Jori said...

Love the time out bird! You have so many pretty reflections going on too!

Anonymous said...

Wow Gail, each of your shots are so breathtaking.
You captured some amazing in flight and action here.
Nicely done!

R's Rue said...

Beautiful!
www.rsrue.blogspot.com

Rosemary Aubut said...

Awesome photos Gail! Love Mr. Time Out and also the Pointer Sisters! An old time Florida cracker told me that they call them Swamp Chicken and he and his dad use to hunt and eat them! Guess what they taste like chicken!!!

Inspired By June said...

Lovely captures, Gail! I especially like the reflections shots, but they're all wonderful! I can just imagine the joy you must have felt capturing these beautiful, somewhat comical birds!

Starla said...

The "Time Out" photo made me laugh!

Unknown said...

Oh my stars. What fabulous photos my friend. I just love the clarity of you photos.

Thanks so much for looking up that Hummingbird for me. You are the sweetest.. I really do appreciate it.

Hugs~

Patrice said...

Fabulous ibis shots, Gail - I love the red beaks!

Phil Slade said...

Nice job gail in capturing both the birds and the water splashes and droplets like that.

Charlotte Wilson said...

Gail,
I am surprised that National Geographic has not discovered you yet! These are magnificent!
And very interesting fact about the methylmercury possibly causing male-male pairing. Hmmmm..is right.

rainfield61 said...

I love the "time out".

It shouldn't mean to me!