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White Ibis in the Surf |
The
White Ibis is one of my favorite shore birds. Here on the west coast
of Florida we see them everywhere ~ on the beaches, in marshes and
estuaries, even on our lawns and city parks. They are a sociable
bird often traveling and feeding in groups or pairs. We used to call
the Durante birds because their long bill resembled Jimmy Durante's
nose. Like Jimmy Durante they are comical with a long curving bill
and beautiful blue eyes that stand out against the orange skin of
it's face.
The
White Ibis is a wader. It wades along the beaches foraging for food,
sweeping its head from side to side in the hopes of catching some
little fish or sea creature to eat. I, too, do a fair amount of
wading in the shallows of the surf looking for shells and interesting
sea creatures. When at the beach I love the feel of the sand and
surf on my feet even when the water is cold. I don't feel like I've
been there unless I get my feet wet.
Mixed Media on archival paper. 16 x 20 inches. 2015.