Here's one I have rarely seen...until this year!!!
A woodstork!
This one was just gracefully walking through the neighborhood...
Notice the line of black feathers...Those are the flight feathers. (see photo below)
The wood stork is the largest wading bird native to America. It has very long legs and a distinctive featherless head with a very thick beak, which curves downward. The feathers of the wood stork are white with black flight feathers. Its wingspan is around 5 1/2 feet. The wood stork flies with its neck and legs extended, interrupting strong wing beats with brief glides.
(Yeah...I'm an information junkie.)
mostly due to man changing their natural habitat.
As I said, I rarely see Wood Storks, but during the past week, I have had the privilege of seeing 6 of them...all in different locations.
(Photo by Ira Runyan)
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=795843
I found this image on the web...It's a good photo of the Wood Stork's head.
Not the prettiest face, but it's so interesting...and the edging of black in the feathers is gorgeous...
http://www.floridawildlifeviewing.com/
I think this may be my next subject to paint....
posting with Outdoor Wednesday and Watery Wednesday
8 comments:
I live on a mitigation pond so I see all kinds of critters. We had about 10 wood storks show up and visit for about a week. The way they feed is to drag their beak in the mud while they paw with their feet & stir up the bottom. What a fun bird to watch.
Wonderful bird photos! Yes, do a painting.
Joyce M
Those black flight feathers are fascinating. I saw the same feature on the flamingoes at Sarasota Jungle Gardens on Saturday. I'd never noticed the black feathers lying under the orange ones until a few of them spread their wings. A stunning feature!
Great shots and interesting info about the woodstork!
Wow I have not seen this bird either. So beautiful and you are fortunate to see them. Thanks for sharing!
Outdoor Wednesday
I love a chick who does her homework before digging in to create art!! Show us as you progress on it!
These are a type of bird I would not normally get to see here where I live, but do get to see them when I surf the blogs! Got to love that! These birds are beautiful!
I am a Visitor to Florida and saw several of these storks at John's Pass in Madiera Beach, including a baby. A truly amazing sight and educational for my daughter.
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