Recently I was visiting my 94 year old dad on Hilton Head Island, SC. He’s in great health – on his way to 100! He lives in a retirement community and there are several small ponds on the property, one of which is a nesting area for White Ibis and Black-crowned Night Herons (I’ve posted pics of them previously). On a visit to this pond this time I found five Wood Storks standing along the edge and I was able to get fairly near them without alarming the birds. It was a great opportunity to get some closeups of these primeval-looking birds. Just one look at the bare, scaly head and you’ll be taken back to the days of their ancestors, the dinosaurs!
Wood Storks hunt for food in wetlands, probing the water for small fish and crustaceans. I could’t find out why their head is devoid of feathers, which is reminiscent of vultures. It certainly gives them an eerie look.
A puff of wind fluffed out the feathers around the head of this Wood Stork.
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These are tremendous pictures Mike. Glad your father is doing well.