White Ibis, Eudocimus albus; 

Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR near Titusville, Florida

     On December 21^st of 2017 I was making my last round through Merritt Island NWR when I came across a feeding frenzy of egrets, herons, pelicans, spoonbills, Ibises and much more.  It was quite an incredible event, and I feel so fortunate to have stumbled upon the scene in such good light.

     Birds that were not feeding were soaring in all different direction.  It was difficult to find just one bird out of the mass to lock onto, but I happened to capture this White Ibis as it was gliding in for a landing with a few hundred other feeding birds in the refuge marshes. 

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/2500 @ f/8

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White Ibis, Eudocimus albus:

Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR

     I recently made another, quick trip to Merritt Island NWR.  Though the birds were not as plentiful as the trip I made right before Thanksgiving, they were still pretty good.  I shot this White Ibis right after it had finished its early morning feeding soiree.  It had been preening, but I took this shot as it moved into a clean background.

Great Blue Heron, Ardea hernias:

Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR

     This Great Blue was shot shortly after photographing the White Ibis above.  It was still fishing when I came across it at the backside of the refuge.  I do like the posturing in this image.  It gives the bird intent of action, and the concentric circles in the water certainly draws attention to that action.

Top:  Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/2000 second @ f/9

Bottom:  Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/1600 second @ f/10

Pic of the Day

White Ibis, Eudocimus albus:

Black Point Wildlife Drive; Merritt Island NWR near Titusville, Florida

Nikon D800, Nikor 500mm f/4, 1/1250 @ f/9

Pic of the Day

 White Ibis, Eudocimus albus:  Merritt Island NWR;

Blackpoint Wildlife Drive near Titusville, Florida

 White Ibis, Eudocimus albus:  Merritt Island NWR;

Blackpoint Wildlife Drive near Titusville, Florida

     During the first week of March, I had the opportunity to shoot along Blackpoint Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island NWR.  This was one of the best trips I have ever made to Merritt.  There was an abundance birds, and beautiful light.  I shot this White Ibis within a half mile of the entrance where it was feeding with dozens and dozens of other birds.  This image was shot in the very early morning light, thus the warm glow.  Early morning is my favorite time to shoot.

Top:  Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/3200 second @ f/8

Bottom:  Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/2500 second @ f/8

Pic of the Day

White Ibis, Eudocimus albus:  J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/2000 second @ f/7.1

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White Ibis, Plegadis chihi:  Viera Wetlands; Viera, Florida

Back lighting, low Sun angle

White Ibis, Plegadis chihi:  Viera Wetlands; Viera, Florida

Front lighting, shot during the Golden Five (last 5 minutes of sunlight before sunset).

Top: Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/160 second @ f7.1, ISO 640

Bottom:  Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/600 second @ f7.1, ISO 640

Pic of the Day

White Ibis, Eudocimus albus with Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus: Merritt Island, Florida

     I shot this image on the Indian River just off Merritt Island, near Titusville, Florida. This ibis was pulling a lot of crabs out of the river and gave me a lot of photo opps.  You can check my September 10 post for a full frame image of the ibis.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/2500 sec. @ f6.3

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White Ibis, Plegadis chihi,  with Horseshoe Crab:  Merritt Island; Titusville, Florida

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     White Ibis – Fort Myers Beach, Florida:  The ibis was photographed at Estero Lagoon during a feeding frenzy.  The image was shot in February when South Florida wading birds are in prime breeding plumage.  This White Ibis sports the deep red face and legs that white ibises obtain during the breeding season, which makes this bird picture perfect. 

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     White Ibis – Viera Wetlands; Florida:  I found this Ibis perched atop a snag on the west end of the Viera Welands.  It was late in the day and the sun was just perfect to illuminate the ibis.  The low, direct angle of the sun provided a warm glow to the white plumage and revealed distinct detail in the feathers.  After a half dozen shots the bird was gone and a few minutes later, so was the sunlight.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/1,250 second @ f8 

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 White Ibis – A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway; Titusville, Florida:  This trip was certainly the year for photographing ibis.  Ibis seemed to be everywhere and were very photographable.  This ibis was photographed on the causeway that leads from Titusville to Cape Canaveral just before entering the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.  I stopped along the causeway to photograph gulls, but the sky was overcast and the images looked very dull.  Soon, the sun began to break through the clouds and the birds on the causeway came alive.  All of a sudden, birds began to appear from all directions to feed in the shallows of the Indian River. 
   As I shot images of gulls, an ibis flew onto the scene and began searching for prey.  It was not long until it was pulling horseshoe crabs out of the water.  The antics of the ibis were most interesting. With each catch the ibis would toss the crab into the air, catch it with its beak, then crunch down breaking the crabs shell.   The tossing and crunching continued for about forty-five seconds per crab.  Once broken and cracked to the ibis’ satisfaction, the crab went down its gullet. The gulls that were ever present stayed close to the ibis and continually tried to snatch its catch…..to no avail.

Nikon D300, 500mm f4, Digital Capture ISO 200, 1/2500 sec. @ f6.3

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    White Ibis – Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge; Sanibel Island, Florida:  After leaving Fort De Soto State Park we headed for Fort Myers and Sanibel Island.  On January 2^nd we were up early and on the wildlife drive.  There were few birds on the auto trail but when we arrived at the water impoundment at observation deck 3, there were two lone White Ibis feeding in the shallows.  The early morning light provided a nice reflection of the birds and a great photo opportunity as they moved along the shoreline probing the muddy bottom for crabs.  This ibis was photographed with its prey suspended in mid air just before gulping the crab down its gullet.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, Digital Capture ISO 200, 1/1600 sec. @ f8

Pic of the Day

  White Ibis—Fort De Soto State Park, Saint Petersburg, Florida:  We arrived at Fort De Soto Park around 3:00 O’clock in the morning on New Years Day.  Having driven all night I was exhausted.  So, having a full size bed in the back of the van I retired for the morning and got a few hours sleep before sunrise.

     The sun rose around 7:00 O’clock and I was soon on the beaches looking for shorebird to photograph.  The morning was chilly, with temps somewhere in the mid 50’s (F).  In a small lagoon I found a flock of White Ibis huddled together with each going about its early morning preening duties.  The ibis were standing in the shade and the sunlight was falling on the water behind them.  I particularly liked the way the shadows softened the bird’s feathers and how the feathers edges seem to blend into the overexposed water in the background. 

     I made my exposure using the spot meter in manual exposure mode.   I took a meter reading from the birds whitest feathers and exposed that area one stop lighter than a middle value.  This exposure, along with the direct sunlight caused the watery background to overexpose and turn white that provides a light, ethereal quality to the image.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, Digital Capture ISO 200,  1/200 sec. @ f6.3