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.