Immature Wood Stork

This evening I sit here in Pennsylvania working on photographs taken recently in Florida.  The cold air outside is filled with gently falling snow.  A hush has fallen across the landscape, a quiet that only exists during a snow fall as the ambient sound is absorbed by the fluffy crystals of falling water.

Such was not the case when these photos were taken for the air was filled with the calls of birds as they began their morning routine of wakening up to a new day.  This immature Wood Stork lit in a nearby tree and was immediately concerned about my presence as it watched every move that I made.

After watching me for a short time the Wood Stork decided to relocate to a place with less human intrusion.  The encounter was short lived with the best image coming as it's great wings lifted it from its perch.

Wood Storks

Wood Storks, while being a United States endangered species is easily located in the area of Florida I recently visited.   Chad and me were able to photograph this flock as they fed in a small roadside wetland.  Here a Great Egret seems to stand guard as the Wood Storks feed.

A closer view of the Storks as they demonstrate their unique feeding style.

The dramatic lighting effect was created by a shaft of early morning sunlight shining through an opening in the surrounding foliage

While hidden under white feathers while on the ground the Stork's black wing tips are very prominent in flight.