BLob

Big Bird Bath Time!

I’ve made a few posts and videos of the birds that visit my birdbath over the years but today’s birds are just to big to fit into a 60 cm pedestal bird bath. 🙂

These Australian Ibis, a close relative of the Sacred Ibis, were out in number on the two lakes close to me this week and they seemed to be relishing in the opportunity to clean up a little.

(Click on a pic to open in a new window and click again for full detail 🙂 )lovewillbringustogether - australian ibis15

A flock of Australian Ibis relaxing. The more keen eyed of you, particularly those viewing this on a large computer screen (recommended method for my photos) may be able to count how many are here? Maybe you might count 35? You would be wrong as you likely missed the other three sitting quietly on the large horizontal branch of a gum tree, top right of picture! 🙂
lovewillbringustogether - ibis bath1

Flapping about in the shallows.

lovewillbringustogether - ibis bath2

Getting a little more energetic! 🙂

lovewillbringustogether - ibis bath3

Drying off a little with a bit of a shimmy. 🙂

lovewillbringustogether - ibis bath4

Drying off a LOT! 🙂 The red under his wings’ leading edges are patches of skin, not red feathers. The bird would measure about a metre (3ft 3 in) from his tippy-toe to the top of his wingspan here. His beak would be 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) long

lovewillbringustogether - ibis bath5

Not sure if he’s drying off or dancing the Flamenco?? 🙂

I love the shadow of his head and neck on his wing! The black shape above the small red patch on the wing in front is the back of his head. The black shape below him is a dead leaf that is being blown up by the force of the air he is moving as he dries himself after his dip.

 

love.

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26 comments

  2. The ibis has a special place in ancient Egyptian history, as it was once associated with Thoth, an ancient Egyptian god and patron of writing, wisdom and magic, who was depicted as having the body of a man and the head of an ibis.

    In ancient Egypt, millions of ibises were mummified and placed in tombs as offerings to the gods, and their sacredness was often recorded in ancient hieroglyphs.

    I like a lot the last photo !!!!!!!!!!!
    Have a nice day !!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Our Ibis are very slightly larger than the African Ibis but they are very closely related – we sometimes even call ours ‘Sacred Ibis’ presumably because of their close similarity.

      I did not know about the mummification, but have heard of Thoth as i have been researching Alchemic and Hermetic Wisdom of the Ancient Greeks. 🙂

      Thank you Efi, It is a beautiful shot. 🙂

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      • Hermes Trismegistos…. in Greece !!

        This Hermes was a personification of the Egyptian God Thot, who is thought to be the equivalent of the greek Hermes.

        I believe they are the same person!!

        Have a nice day my friend!! If you want tell me your name!!

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        Reply

        • I thought you might be familiar with Hermes Trismegistos! 🙂 A very interesting fellow indeed.

          You may call me Bob (‘cos that’s my name!) 😉 … Or love – short for lovewillbringustogether, either is fine. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

        • Have a nice weekend!!!!

          You don’t need to travel the world or do big things to live an extraordinary life. Be present. Notice the beauty around you. Be curious. Try the things that interest you. Be brave. Start the things you’ve been putting off. Create something. Learn something. Teach something. And do it all for the love of it.

          Lori Deschene

          Liked by 1 person

  5. I counted fast but I only got 27!!! Once more, clicking on the photos and seeing the detail of the red patches makes these ibis photos even more special. I have always been fascinated just with the word “ibis”, and I think I read a bit about this bird in various books on mythology. I knew about the Egyptian connection but glad to see the comment by efge63 here that explained it. I need to get back to posting on WordPress!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • You should!! 🙂

      They are really tricky – even when expanded – to count… some seem to merge into others. You see two but there are actually 3 and one is hiding in the woods!

      ( I’m not even sure anymore – there might be up to 37 on the ground – plus the other 3!)

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  6. That’s quite a flock of ibis! You captured some wonderful behavior shots (bathing and drying off), and I love the shot that shows his head both above the wing and as a shadow on the wing — great lighting angle!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you so much! it’s nice to know others appreciate the shots as much as i do! 😉

      The shadow on the wing thing was, of course, a pure fluke! 😉

      But i thought it was brilliant. 🙂

      That was not the largest flock i’ve seen! I have seen them in up to 100 strong, but it was certainly the largest i’ve found on this lake. 🙂

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      Reply

    • I have a soft spot for them! 🙂

      In a recent on-line competition they came within a whisker of being named ‘The Most Popular Bird In Australia’ A ‘late rush’ saw the Australian Magpie just pip it at the post ( i think it was rigged!)

      I have a few nice magpie photos to put up soon and you be the judge! 🙂

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    • Same here – i envy them their ability to zoom about in the sky at will. 🙂

      Did you see my Pelican/Spoonbill series from 2 weeks ago? 😉

      Thanks for your kind comment.

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