Slip slidin' away
This immature Wood Stork had caught a fish and was 'playing around' with it on the shoreline, obscured by the grass, in order to get it in the right position for swallowing, for what seemed like an age. Then suddenly the fish was swallowed with a quick backward jerk of the head. Here you can just see it slip, sliding' away!
Wood Storks sweep their impressive bills from side to side in the water and when a fish is touched, the bill snaps shut rapidly in about 25 milliseconds making it one of the fastest reflexes known in vertebrates.
An adult Wood Stork has a black, bald head and generally a dark coloured bill. An immature bird, like the one here, has a feathered head and neck and a much paler coloured bill.
Taken at Myakka River State Park, Florida.
As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving any comments or faves, they are very much appreciated.
Slip slidin' away
This immature Wood Stork had caught a fish and was 'playing around' with it on the shoreline, obscured by the grass, in order to get it in the right position for swallowing, for what seemed like an age. Then suddenly the fish was swallowed with a quick backward jerk of the head. Here you can just see it slip, sliding' away!
Wood Storks sweep their impressive bills from side to side in the water and when a fish is touched, the bill snaps shut rapidly in about 25 milliseconds making it one of the fastest reflexes known in vertebrates.
An adult Wood Stork has a black, bald head and generally a dark coloured bill. An immature bird, like the one here, has a feathered head and neck and a much paler coloured bill.
Taken at Myakka River State Park, Florida.
As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving any comments or faves, they are very much appreciated.