LSSI - Day 2 - AM
Overnight Monday we had very intense thunderstorms roll through LSSI along with pounding rain. The forecast showed the temperature dropping like a rock as the storms swept through and the pre-dawn temperatures were going to be in the low 30’s. We still planned to go out the next morning - bundled up!. David arrived right on time with his bike again - 5:45. After biking for round 40 minutes in the darkness we arrived at our destination - the Norm’s Pond blind.
Once we set up we shut off our headlamps and looked out through the blind and we saw so many birds roosting we could not believe it! This was going to be like a National Geographic morning - and we knew that the sun was going to rise exactly behind us. Just as it became light enough I started shooting away…. I was in my glory - this was all so amazing.
The first of the sun’s light just kissed this beautiful Great Blue Heron.
In the far right corner of the pond we spotted adult Roseate Spoonbills in their breeding plumage!
A stunning Anhinga -
I noticed shadows on the pond and immediately looked up just in time to see this truly magnificent sight! This took our breath away - they all flew from somewhere behind us and kept on going -
These are the moments that I dream of …. the truly magical light that can happen. A pair of Anhingas.
This extraordinary light is very short lived so when it happens I am in overdrive trying to capture what I can…. looking to my left this spectacular Wood Stork.
A magnificent Great Egret
Wood Stork flying in -
A stunning Roseate Spoonbill
This pair - clearly a mating couple - flew in.
Beautiful White Egret Pair. During breeding season - according to Natureworks and Audubon they “develop spectacular, long, delicate plumes knows as aigrettes on their backs that drape over the tail. The facial skin (lores) turns a vibrant lime or neon green, and the base of the yellow bill may darken”.
Found the perfect stick to add to the nest -
The following shots are with the sun now fully above the horizon behind us. We were very cold but just thrilled with everything we were witnessing.
Common Gallinule
A very cold little Black Crowned Night Heron. -
On the other side of the pond this Black Crowned Night Heron was already hunting -
David said - Cheryl - look up!
Another one flew in from the opposite direction…. such a magnificent landing -
Roseate Spoonsbills are 28-34 inches long with a wingspan of 47-52 inches.
Warming up with the sun -
A striking Great Egret
I’ll take a break now and end this post here… more to come from this incredible day!