ROOKERY BIRDS

self | June 10, 2012 | swampsniper

[SWAMPSNIPER]

More from my Easter Day shoot.

The Roseate Spoonbills have gone from scarce to fairly common in recent years. This one was gathering Red cedar for nest material.

The little Snowy Egret was very carefully checking out eggs.

[TheConservativeParty]

Beautiful pictures as always!
The info on the birds,,,to quote Dr.Spock “Fascinating!”.

[dayglored]

Hi Swampsniper,

Thank you SO MUCH for these great photos and so many others in the past! I always enjoy them.

Continued prayers for your second eye to come out as successful as the first (or even more so!).

God Bless you, Sir, and may He grant you enjoy many, many wonderful years with your improved vision.

And please keep sending us pics!!

Best FRegards,
Dayglored

[Silentgypsy]

Again, thank you!

[txhurl]

Gorgeous and awe-inspiring, as always, FRiend.

[Bellflower]

So much dignified looking intelligence in the Roseate Spoonbill’s eyes. Amazing creatures!

[skr]

Fantastic photos!

Sending prayers for your next surgery!

[rustbucket]

You mentioned eye color. Cattle egrets undergo a change in eye color. Normally a cattle egret's eyes and beak are yellow even when the bird starts building nests and its chest, back, and crown feathers have turned from white to brown. Then, when it is the optimum time for breeding, its eyes turn red (whose eyes don't turn red at that time?). The lores turn purple, and the beak is red and yellow.

Here is a cattle egret in the brown feather, yellow beak, and yellow eyes phase. This one is from Lake Martin in Louisiana, and it is holding a stick insect. It played with the insect a long time, then finally dropped it in the grass and walked off. Does anyone know what kind of stick insect this is? Any help would be appreciated.

Here is a picture of a cattle egret in the brown feather, red eyes, purple lores, and red and yellow beak phase. This was taken at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm a few weeks ago.

[Just A Reader]

Thank You! They are better than ever. I imagine having eye surgery has made your outings fun again.

[Just A Reader]

Where is the worm coming from?!!!