Woodstork Profile – Close Up
♦
I’ve shared Mycteria Americana, the Wood Stork, quite a few times. Their stately manner, size and interesting facial textures always fascinating. While the lighting here may be a tad subdued as it is on the monitor I am viewing presently, it looks rather awesome on my big, bright Photoshop monitor. So that is why I thought I’d go ahead and share it. This is the closest I ever have been to a wood stork and barely fit the entire bill on this full file capture. This is not a zoom. Looking at the texture of the yellowish black bill you’d think that the bird was named Wood Stork or Wood Ibis (not an ibis though) for its woody texture. But, it is in fact because the bird likes to nest up high in tree branches. I just love the detail of it and hope that you able to click the image for a bit better view.
♦
Judy
Janthina Images - Photo Journal 
The texture of the bill AND the neck make the bird look like a tree root or twisted branch.
Very much so, part of its living environment. The bird has a nickname of Old Flinthead and I am sure that is due to the flinty texture of the neck as if you could strike a match on it. My husband doesn’t understand my attraction to these birds or any bald birds.
E.J. would say “Dinosaurs!” but I’ll settle for ‘intriguing texture” as a reason to be interested in such birds.
Who doesn’t like the Preacher Bird??
Stately is a very apt description. That is almost a statesman-like portrait, Judy! Best, Babsje
I think it is because of the rather contemplative expression they have that earns then the moniker of Preacher Bird sometimes. I have a book called ‘Johnny Crow’s Garden’ and it features a wood stork in a rather scholarly, philosopher role….this bird does seem to inspire expression beyond just bird.
Wow, to get so close. And it looks truly prehistoric. I’d like to say it’s a beautiful creature but will settle for stately
What a wonderful portrait, Judy. As it happens, on the weekend after the 4th I found some of these birds in my favorite refuge — the one where I took the photos of the flowers. Of course they deserve their own post! I wished for a nice, big lens again that day, as they were quite a distance away, but now I can post my photos and link to this post for those who’d like a close-up. It’s wonderful, the way things sometimes work out.
I remember your mention of it as ‘the preacher bird.’ It does seem apt, although I’m fond of the birds even absent that association. I think it’s been three years since I’ve seen them, and it’s curious to me that they were with roseate spoonbills both times. Have you ever noticed that? I wonder if commensal feeding is involved; more research is required!
Of course this reminds me of Plato, too.
Hi Linda, Sorry for my sluggish replies. I fell off a dock on July 4th and hit my head on a metal beam and whacked my leg too. So all the aches and pains of healing have me preferring my feet up in front of the TV rather than under the desk in front the computer. I am far too old to fall off of docks.
I am glad you enjoyed the wood stork face close up. I really think they are neat birds. You do need a bird lens even though often they are still too far off. I just use a 300mm on a full sensor camera or a small sensor camera. Small sensor though you do get that 1.6 x boost for a 480 mm capture. I love my 300mm prime and it works for me most times and so I haven’t been really tempted to get more.
Not sure about commensal feeding, but both birds do head swish maneuvers of a type in the shallow water. So they both disturb prospective dinner in the same waters. I see both spoonbills and woodstorks in the same rookery but woodstorks keep more to them selves in the branches and I see spoonbills more down in the water. But, many species of waterbirds will hang out in the same areas and nesting colonies will often have have many species in nests near each other. Got to watch out for those Louisiana herons….they will go after the eggs of others more than any other I have watched.
I love it that you love Plato!!
What a wonderful study in texture! The feathers, the skin of the head, the bill. Combine all that with a contemplative composition and Old Ironhead looks pretty good!
I have to laugh I think I have a fellow bird nerd in you. Most people don’t really get why I think all those textures are just beautiful, interesting and amazing. And you kind of nailed it.
My silence does NOT mean that I don’t enjoy your posts and your always-so-lovely images! When ‘settled’ in new location, I look forward to enjoying past posts in the luxury of home and not in hurried public internet hotspots! As always, lovely post!
So glad to have your views silent or otherwise!! I feel like saying the same thing to you as I go through periods of looking but allowing the river of WordPress communication flow right past me and not swimming back to what I meant to comment on. Thanks for all your great thoughts and back at you.