Ibis and Coyote

Today I stopped to photograph a pair of Glossy Ibis at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, CT.

This pair were feeding in a rain pool near the model airplane field.

Suddenly their demeanor changed, they stopped feeding and focused on something nearby. 

A coyote had entered the scene

The Ibis watched the coyote as it passed by.

No harm was done and the Ibis only gave the coyote slight concern.

The coyote did flush a number of other birds along it's way, including at least four Willet.

With the coyote no longer a threat, the bird to the right sat down in the water...

...and entertained me with it's bathing antics.

Click on any of the photos to enlarge.

Finished, it was time to dry off it's wings.

The second bird flew a few yards to another pool and enjoyed it's bath.

Then flew back to join it's friend

After a head scratch and wing flap...

...they were gone.

I'm was lucky to show up when I did, everything was over and done in just a few minutes.

Thrashers thrashing!

For the past several mornings, we have had a Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) bathing in one of our backyard birdbaths.

This bird was very well aware of it's surroundings and was not easy to photograph, as it was very skittish.

Behind an open house window, I was able to capture a few nice photographs of this bird.

With great caution, the thrasher slowly approaches the bird bath, that is at ground level.

After a slow trip around the bath, it decides to step one foot in the water.

Then two feet, but it looks back at the window that I am photographing from with a bit of concern.

Oh, what the heck, time for a splash!

Checking me out again, with tail resting on the water.

Thrasher, thrashing?

Somewhat relaxed.

Some more thrashing!

Gathering the feathers.

Ahh, that felt good!

Time to get back to reality.

Hey you, damn papparazzi, get out of my face!!!!