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Royal Spoonbills feeding
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Nicki Mora (greychick)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 53 W: 0 N: 98]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (585) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2008-07-02 |
| Categories: Birds |
| Exposure: f/5.6, 1/250 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-07-03 3:37 |
| Viewed: 371 |
| Points: 2 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
On the same day I meet our three spoonbills, I was in for another lucky break. After my first sighting and shots, I dashed home to escape one of the most full on electrical storms we have had here for a while. I was sure it had probably scared them away and so didnt go out again. Until that is I had to take my daughter to her piano lesson and having half an hour to kill I grabed my camera and headed off to Cobden lagoon. To my absolute amazement and joy I meet our three spoonbills again and this time all three were feeding together. What a joy to watch them. It was just magical. I'm glad I made that last quick dash inside to get my camera. They are all still here at this point, I hope the other 2 stick around. I now have some friends in Cobden, who often go down that neck of the woods keyed up to ring me if they spot them there, so here's hoping I can get some more shots.
Feeding
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=192
The Royal Spoonbill feeds mainly on fish in freshwater, and on shrimps in tidal flats; it will also eat other crustaceans and aquatic insects. The structure of its bill limits it to feeding in water that is less than 40 cm deep over sand, mud or clay, where it can sweep the water with its bill. It uses several methods to catch food: slow sweeping from side to side with an open bill, rapid sweeping while walking fast or even running through the water, as well as dragging, probing or grabbing. The spatulate bill has many vibration detectors, called papillae, on the inside of the spoon, which means the bird can feel for prey items even in murky water and can feed by day or night. Once food is caught, it lifts its bill up and lets the items slide down its throat. It will bash shrimps against hard objects to remove their shells. |
elizabeth has marked this note useful
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Don't they look kind of comical, all with their heads stuck in the water at once?! Good shot, nice and sharp and a good exposure.
Cheers
Elizabeth
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 78 W: 41 N: 46]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-s.gif){kind=small}
