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After running around to stir up breakfast, spreading wings to shade for a wary fish, hopping to a new spot, more running around, stabbing at the empty water many times, and finally the Reddish Egret got this tiny morsel for a taste of a breakfast. Well, at least he won't starve, but he'd better find about 20 more of these tidbits, or something more substantial.
Sometimes in life, we have to work hard for the satisfaction of a small reward. But we endure, and so will the egret.
According to the sign on the post, fishing is only allowed from November through March. Essentially, that means only ice fishing.
Presumably, the reason for this restriction is that this is a large and popular marina. It's very busy in April through October with all manner of boats, from small to very large.
Good luck to these guys--not to catch a big fish. Rather, good luck--hope you don't fall through the ice this late in the season.
Furthermore, though I've heard that the walleyes are "running", I have only seen very small fish being caught.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Southwest Florida
USA
An image of a spoonbill from Ding Darling is in the first comment section.
From Wikipedia - The roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) (sometimes placed in its own genus Ajaja) is a gregarious wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family, Threskiornithidae. It is a resident breeder in South America mostly east of the Andes, and in coastal regions of the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, the Gulf Coast of the United States and on central Florida's Atlantic coast Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge adjoined with NASA Kennedy Space Center.
This species feeds in shallow fresh or coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side as it steadily walks through the water, often in groups. The spoon-shaped bill allows it to sift easily through mud. It feeds on crustaceans, aquatic insects, frogs, newts and very small fish ignored by larger waders.
In the United States, a popular place to observe roseate spoonbills is "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Roseate spoonbills must compete for food with snowy egrets, great egrets, tricolored herons and American white pelicans.
The roseate spoonbill nests in shrubs or trees, often mangroves, laying two to five eggs, which are whitish with brown markings. Immature birds have white, feathered heads, and the pink of the plumage is paler. The bill is yellowish or pinkish.
The Pantanal
Brazil
South America
The black skimmer was photographed resting on a sandbar along the Cuiaba River. There were about six of them there when this image was taken. Within minutes more skimmers were circling above getting ready to land.
The black skimmer (Rynchops niger) is a tern-like seabird, one of three very similar birds species in the skimmer family. It breeds in North and South America. Northern populations winter in the warmer waters of the Caribbean and the tropical and subtropical Pacific coasts, but the South American races make only shorter movements in response to annual floods which extend their feeding areas in the river shallows.
Skimmers have a light graceful flight, with steady beats of their long wings. They feed usually in large flocks, flying low over the water surface with the lower mandible skimming the water (in order of importance) for small fish, insects, crustaceans and molluscs caught by touch by day or especially at night.
The black skimmer breeds in loose groups on sandbanks and sandy beaches in the Americas, the three to seven heavily dark-blotched buff or bluish eggs being incubated by both the male and female. The chicks leave the nest as soon as they hatch and lie inconspicuously in the nest depression or "scrape" where they are shaded from high temperatures by the parents. They may dig their own depressions in the sand at times. Parents feed the young almost exclusively during the day with almost no feeding occurring at night, due to the entire population of adults sometimes departing the colony to forage.
Naples Botanical Garden
Southwestern Florida
USA
The Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) is a large duck native to Mexico, Central, and South America. Small wild and feral breeding populations have established themselves in the United States, particularly in Florida, Louisiana, and the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas as well as in many other parts of North America, including southern Canada.
They are large ducks, with the males about 76 cm (30 in) long, and weighing up to 7 kg (15 lb). Females are considerably smaller, and only grow to 3 kg (6.6 lb), roughly half the males' size. .
This non-migratory species normally inhabits forested swamps, lakes, streams and nearby grassland and farm crops, and often roosts in trees at night.
The Muscovy duck's diet consists of plant material obtained by grazing or dabbling in shallow water, and small fish, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, insects, and millipedes. This is an aggressive duck; males often fight over food, territory or mates. The females fight with each other less often. Some adults will peck at the ducklings if they are eating at the same food source.
The Muscovy duck has benefited from nest boxes in Mexico, but is somewhat uncommon in much of the east of its range due to excessive hunting. It is not considered a globally threatened species by the IUCN however, as it is widely distributed.
Also known as Marsh Hen or by its scientific name – Gallinula chloropus.
This medium-sized bird is a migratory bird in some parts of the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa but they love Florida and Mexico and stay year round. The Moorhen, a part of the rail family. spends its life on the water and is usually 12 to 15 inches in size when fully grown. In spite of having no webbing on their feet, they are good swimmers. Of course, you can not miss them with their gray-black feathers, a line of white feathers, and a red bill with a yellow tip.
Moorhens are omnivores and love to eat seeds and other plant material floating on the water. They also eat algae, small fish, tadpoles, insects, aquatic roots, berries, grass, snails, insects, rodents, lizards, and worms. On land, you will see them ‘peck’ like a chicken for their food.
Moorhen pairs are monogamous. Females will lay 4 to 12 eggs, laying only one egg a day. The chicks will fledge within 5 to 7 weeks and Momma Moorhen might have another brood later in the season.
Predators such as foxes, dogs, coyotes, and raccoons are the main predators of the moorhen. Large reptiles and Wildcats may also prey on them.
I found this one along Peavine Road in Osceola County, Florida.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Southwest Florida
USA
The roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) (sometimes placed in its own genus Ajaja) is a gregarious wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family, Threskiornithidae. It is a resident breeder in South America mostly east of the Andes, and in coastal regions of the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, the Gulf Coast of the United States and on central Florida's Atlantic coast Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge adjoined with NASA Kennedy Space Center.
This species feeds in shallow fresh or coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side as it steadily walks through the water, often in groups. The spoon-shaped bill allows it to sift easily through mud. It feeds on crustaceans, aquatic insects, frogs, newts and very small fish ignored by larger waders. In the United States, a popular place to observe roseate spoonbills is "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Roseate spoonbills must compete for food with snowy egrets, great egrets, tricolored herons and American white pelicans.
The roseate spoonbill nests in shrubs or trees, often mangroves, laying two to five eggs, which are whitish with brown markings. Immature birds have white, feathered heads, and the pink of the plumage is paler. The bill is yellowish or pinkish. – Wikipedia
Galveston, Tx
Textures by SophieG - www.flickr.com/photos/-smallfish-/4176231585/ and
encounter - Laura: www.flickr.com/photos/dontellaura/5551350385/
Black Guillemot / cepphus grylle. Oban, Scotland. 15/05/22.
'NEVER MISSING A TRICK.'
A close-up of a very confiding Black Guillemot that had just finished preening. I noticed that they seemed to be quite nosy birds, always watching what the others were doing nearby.
Little Egret / egretta garzetta. Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk.
'100% CONCENTRATION.'
This Little Egret had singled out its prey and the image was made a split-second before it struck ... successfully.
BEST VIEWED LARGE.
Naples Botanical Garden
Southwestern Florida
USA
HAPPY EASTER to all who celebrate the holiday!
The muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) is a large duck native to Mexico, Central, and South America. Small wild and feral breeding populations have established themselves in the United States, particularly in Florida, Louisiana, and the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas as well as in many other parts of North America, including southern Canada.
They are large ducks, with the males about 76 cm (30 in) long, and weighing up to 7 kg (15 lb). Females are considerably smaller, and only grow to 3 kg (6.6 lb), roughly half the males' size. .
This non-migratory species normally inhabits forested swamps, lakes, streams and nearby grassland and farm crops, and often roosts in trees at night.
The Muscovy duck's diet consists of plant material obtained by grazing or dabbling in shallow water, and small fish, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, insects, and millipedes. This is an aggressive duck; males often fight over food, territory or mates. The females fight with each other less often. Some adults will peck at the ducklings if they are eating at the same food source.
The Muscovy duck has benefited from nest boxes in Mexico, but is somewhat uncommon in much of the east of its range due to excessive hunting. It is not considered a globally threatened species by the IUCN however, as it is widely distributed. – Wikipedia
Common Moorhen / gallinula chloropus. Salthouse, Norfolk. 12/03/22.
'GATE WALKER.'
I think this behaviour might have been an avoidance tactic. There were another two Moorhens on the grass below the gate and there had already been a few confrontational spats.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Southwest Florida
USA
Best seen in Lightbox -
www.flickr.com/photos/42964440@N08/33920374321/in/photost...
From Wikipedia -
The roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) (sometimes placed in its own genus Ajaja) is a gregarious wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family, Threskiornithidae. It is a resident breeder in South America mostly east of the Andes, and in coastal regions of the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, the Gulf Coast of the United States and on central Florida's Atlantic coast Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge adjoined with NASA Kennedy Space Center.
This species feeds in shallow fresh or coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side as it steadily walks through the water, often in groups. The spoon-shaped bill allows it to sift easily through mud. It feeds on crustaceans, aquatic insects, frogs, newts and very small fish ignored by larger waders. In the United States, a popular place to observe roseate spoonbills is "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Roseate spoonbills must compete for food with snowy egrets, great egrets, tricolored herons and American white pelicans.
The roseate spoonbill nests in shrubs or trees, often mangroves, laying two to five eggs, which are whitish with brown markings. Immature birds have white, feathered heads, and the pink of the plumage is paler. The bill is yellowish or pinkish.
Mandarin Duck / aix galericulata. Attenborough, Nottinghamshire. 14/12/15.
A dull afternoon, a smart little duck!
I am intriqued by the patchy, almost iridescent colours on top of the beak. It has the quality of an oil slick and indeed, I am wondering if it is a residue from pollutants? Any opinions would be welcomed.
16 September - 162/365
30 Day Challenge: Day 16 - Fruit
Explored! Thanks so much everyone!
Thanks to SophieG for the inspiration!
Black Guillemot / cepphus grylle. Oban, Scotland. 14/05/22.
The Black Guillemots that reside in Oban Bay for much of the year immediately captured my imagination when I found out about them years ago. Finally, this Spring, I got to see them for myself and they didn't fall short of my expectations!
Despite the challenging weather and light conditions, I enjoyed watching these characterful auks at close hand. They had started to visit drainage holes in the sea wall where they nest and there was lots of animated courtship behaviour going on.
This bird had recently woken up, then preened itself. Here it is about to fly down to the sea where others were gathered.
1. *, 2. Chocolat, 3. ., 4. chained..., 5. interdit, 6. stark, 7. November 7., 8. Gettin' Up, 9. 331/365: If I only had a heart
Created with fd's Flickr Toys
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Southwest Florida
USA
Photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
From Wikipedia - The roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) (sometimes placed in its own genus Ajaja) is a gregarious wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family, Threskiornithidae.
It is a resident breeder in South America mostly east of the Andes, and in coastal regions of the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, the Gulf Coast of the United States and on central Florida's Atlantic coast Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge adjoined with NASA Kennedy Space Center.
This species feeds in shallow fresh or coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side as it steadily walks through the water, often in groups. The spoon-shaped bill allows it to sift easily through mud. It feeds on crustaceans, aquatic insects, frogs, newts and very small fish ignored by larger waders.
In the United States, a popular place to observe roseate spoonbills is "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Roseate spoonbills must compete for food with snowy egrets, great egrets, tricolored herons and American white pelicans.
The roseate spoonbill nests in shrubs or trees, often mangroves, laying two to five eggs, which are whitish with brown markings. Immature birds have white, feathered heads, and the pink of the plumage is paler. The bill is yellowish or pinkish.
The Pantanal
Brazil
South America
The black skimmer was photographed resting on a sandbar along the Cuiaba River. There were about six of them there when this image was taken. Within minutes more skimmers were circling above getting ready to land.
The black skimmer (Rynchops niger) is a tern-like seabird, one of three very similar birds species in the skimmer family. It breeds in North and South America. Northern populations winter in the warmer waters of the Caribbean and the tropical and subtropical Pacific coasts, but the South American races make only shorter movements in response to annual floods which extend their feeding areas in the river shallows.
Skimmers have a light graceful flight, with steady beats of their long wings. They feed usually in large flocks, flying low over the water surface with the lower mandible skimming the water (in order of importance) for small fish, insects, crustaceans and molluscs caught by touch by day or especially at night.
The black skimmer breeds in loose groups on sandbanks and sandy beaches in the Americas, the three to seven heavily dark-blotched buff or bluish eggs being incubated by both the male and female. The chicks leave the nest as soon as they hatch and lie inconspicuously in the nest depression or "scrape" where they are shaded from high temperatures by the parents. They may dig their own depressions in the sand at times.
Parents feed the young almost exclusively during the day with almost no feeding occurring at night, due to the entire population of adults sometimes departing the colony to forage.
Common Moorhen / gallinula chloropus. Derbyshire. 09/02/23.
Captured as it foraged along a hedge bottom.
This Moorhen was gripping thin green grass blades in its beak but had also gathered a tangle of dead material around its beak.
BEST VIEWED LARGE.
Common Greenshank / tringa nebularia. Morston Quay, Norfolk. 12/03/22.
'A SOLITARY GREENSHANK.'
When I first found the elegant Greenshank, it was actively feeding and completely unfazed by a large group of Brent Geese nearby.
Interestingly, whilst they bickered with each other, readily adopting threat postures, not once did they react to the little wader!
The swan is a large aquatic bird closely related to geese and ducks. The swan is known for its fierce temperament and they have incredibly strong wings. Swans eat underwater vegetation such as seaweed and aquatic plants when they are on the water and a mixture of plants, seeds and berries when they are on land. Swans also eat insects both water and land based and the occasional small fish. Swans have many adaptations in order to successfully survive life on the water such as their streamline body shape, long neck and webbed feet. The wings of the swan are also very strong meaning that the swan is one of the few heavy birds that is able to fly, even if its only for a short distance.
Rich orange colour in winter.
These photos are not mine, just some favs from my comtacts.
1. 164/365: Orangey goodness, 2. Orange {explored}, 3. Dearest,, 4. I should soooo be working....
Galveston, Tx
Textures by SophieG - www.flickr.com/photos/-smallfish-/4176231585/ and
encounter - Laura: www.flickr.com/photos/dontellaura/5551350385/
Mr and Mrs Kingfisher Queuing with a fish each ready for there young . Taken on the river Stour Canterbury Kent.
Small fish from the Class: Actinopterygii are presented on a bright red cloth for sale by a fish vendor at a wet market in Legazpi, Philippines.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Southwest Florida
USA
Happy Easter Everyone!
Photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in 2017. Have not sighted any of these birds this year.
From Wikipedia - The roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) (sometimes placed in its own genus Ajaja) is a gregarious wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family, Threskiornithidae. It is a resident breeder in South America mostly east of the Andes, and in coastal regions of the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, the Gulf Coast of the United States and on central Florida's Atlantic coast Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge adjoined with NASA Kennedy Space Center.
This species feeds in shallow fresh or coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side as it steadily walks through the water, often in groups. The spoon-shaped bill allows it to sift easily through mud. It feeds on crustaceans, aquatic insects, frogs, newts and very small fish ignored by larger waders. In the United States, a popular place to observe roseate spoonbills is "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Roseate spoonbills must compete for food with snowy egrets, great egrets, tricolored herons and American white pelicans.
The roseate spoonbill nests in shrubs or trees, often mangroves, laying two to five eggs, which are whitish with brown markings. Immature birds have white, feathered heads, and the pink of the plumage is paler. The bill is yellowish or pinkish.