Ding Darling Reserve

Every Wednesday, the docents and other volunteers at Ding Darling set up telescopes to show visitors the great diversity of birds that hang out in the many different ponds along the 2.5 mile drive.

Today, Joan and I met up with Dave and Phyllis [volunteer 'rovers'] and settled in for a wild day of birding. The most populous bird there today was the very large white pelican; the second largest bird in the USA.

I have not seen brown pelicans here this year, usually, they are to be found on seaside beaches where the amaze onlookers by gliding just above incoming waves. They usually dive for their food, and since the water is very shallow at Ding Darling, they usually prefer to feed elsewhere.

Today's tide however was especially low and resident fish were herded into smaller areas, and were easier to catch.

This front-on picture of a brown pelican shows his huge gullet, after he caught a smallish fish.

The next picture shows his mouth open!  No wonder he can swallow fairly large fish in one gulp.  Notice the size of his throat.

Next is a white pelican landing.  These are very large and heavy birds, so take-off and landing are worth watching. Here he is, just a foot after touching water.  He [she?] will now ski along the water for a yard or two before finally floating properly.

The white pelican hunt by creating a line and herding the fish forward until they are all easy  prey.

Next is quite a collection of different birds that include a Tri-colour Egret, Reddish Egret [endangered and now rare], Snowy Egret, Blue Heron, Ibis and a gull.

Here are a flight of White Pelicans getting ready to come in for a landing.

Next, a white and a brown pelican. Notice how the white is much larger. They do not hunt the same way, so seeing them snacking near each other is special.

The Reddish Egret at the front of this group is showing his hunting technique of casting a large shadow over the water.  The fish think they are near the safety of mangroves and swim towards the waiting Egret.

And finally, a White Ibis with its lovely curbed beak.

Next week, different birds, a different tide, and many of the same volunteers to help us enjoy the day.