During my Saturday afternoon sketching trip to Freedom Park I happened on two wood storks feeding in one of the middle lakes. Their industrious feeding activity allowed me to get some quick sketches done as they moved past. The storks ignored me while a nearby great egret kept its eye on me, certain I was up to no good.
The wood storks are large, almost as large as the great egret, but more solidly built. I read that they are monogamous, and I wondered how long this pair had been together. My bird book tells me that these are North America's only storks.
They moved through the water, stirring up the mud with one foot and then stabbing their beak into likely underwater spots. From a distance the heads looked evenly brown, but then I realized that some of that was from the muddy water. Although I simplified the heads in my direct observation drawing, I did a more careful drawing (the second sketch) from a photo I took in order to understand better how the head and bill looked.
You can click on either image above to view them larger on my Flickr photostream.
I recently learned that the wood storks were endangered. Quite saddened to hear, but not surprised with all of the habitat falling to development.
ReplyDeleteLovely sketches - looks like it was a lovely (if cool) day!
Hi Laure, it was a cool day - actually quite chilly in the brisk wind even though the sun was out!
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that these birds suffer because of development expansion. This park was created between golf courses, residential neighborhoods, and adjacent to two heavily traveled roads; it serves as an oasis for wildlife and migrating birds. It's also an oasis for humans who need to get away to nature for a bit!
Thank you for coming by!
Such beautiful birds, and what lovely sketches. You inspire me to get out there and at least take pictures of my feathered neighbors.
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