Posted on 03/24/2011 2:31:23 PM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER
At low tide the mudflats of the saltmarsh will have large areas covered by colonies of little Fiddler crabs, the males busy waving the larger of their claws to lure females to his burrow. Fiddler crabs dig down a foot or so, the burrow curves as it descends.
The White Ibis has a curving beak, how convenient is that?
It was about high tide when I got to the marsh, this White Ibis was the only moving thing in sight. It was putting down those Fiddlers like popcorn. The Ibis are pairing off ready to nest now, but this one was all alone and pigging out, it obviously hasn't heard what Michelle has been saying..
It kept going behind little Black Mangroves and messing up my shots. I close cropped one so the Fiddler is visible. The little lumps and dark spots on the visible mud are burrows and material the crabs bring out when they dig.
There are places in this marsh where you would be stuck in the mud to your armpits but the Ibis has big feet.
White Ibis, Eudocimus albus
I thought this was gonna be another Bill Clinton thread.
Thanks for the pictures.
I thought this was about high school..
pinglist
SwampSniper you should know better, catching crabs at your age..<:)
Beautiful!
I got crabs in early November they stuck around for the holidays
Over at DU they don't have cameras, they pass out crayons!
Their probation officers won't let them have spray paint anymore!
Beautiful shots! Beautiful bird! Thanks.
Great shots, thanks
High School! USMC and various port of call.
It would take a mess of those little guys for a Crab Boil...
Nice photos!
You have a good eye.
Thanks for the ping!
Your usual very fine job,
Thanks
I think I heard that little fiddler saying “Oh noes!”
Great shots
You tempt me to move there.
Thank you. Good work.
What beautiful birds!! Thank you for the wonderful pictures.
What beautiful birds!! Thank you for the wonderful pictures.
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