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Tag Archives: Roseate Spoonbills

First Love Is Never Easy, Part II ©

Friday, March 5, 2010 Posted in Music, Wildlife

To read Part I, scroll down to February 12th. Today, we continue with Part II.

To get his mind off Delila and his wounded soul, poor TestaVerde (TV for short) the Roseate Spoonbill visited all his pals near and far. He took horseshoe crab fishing lessons with Maya the Great Egret.

He dropped in on Julio the Cormorant who was hanging out with his cousins. He listened for hours and hours to their stories about the wonders they saw under water:

Then he started confiding in others about his fragile amorous state. His buddy Jestsayin the Roseate Spoonbill gave him his usual retort when baffled by the conundrums of life. “Get a life and quit worriwartin’ over some fool girl Rosy” Jestsayin sputtered and TV went on his way.

He spent an evening with Grandebouche the Brown Pelican who wasn’t much help either. “Ya think ya got problems??? I cain’t git a fish bigger ‘n a shraimp with all tha competition here.”

Of course, it didn’t help matters much when, next morning, Neptune the Osprey started showing off to his latest conquest by screeching out to her while she was taking a dip:

[caption id="attachment_1503" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Whoo hoo Bellezza, doan’t git yer feathers too wet—we’ve been invited to the opening of a fancy Sashimi joint over in Naples”"]

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Bellezza was blindingly beautiful but TV the Roseate Spoonbill could barely see this, so smitten was he with Delila:

[caption id="attachment_1504" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""I'm coming, just have to rinse off.""]

[/caption]

He met up with Rudolph Valentino (RV) the Reddish Egret and complimented him on his dancing and fishing skills. Now, I don’t know if you remember this but Neptune the Osprey told all who would listen that RV made the avian population swoon at the very sight of him.

Well, TestaVerde had learned this fact through Maya the Great Egret and with a hesitant voice, queried RV if he could learn from him. “Ah, my friend—it’s my red feathers that sets ‘em off, doncha know. Maybe if ya dyed your pink feathers a tad red, they’d come running”; he replied to a disappointed TV. His heart, with a little toss, confirmed his thoughts that he only wanted one to come running and that ONE was the Divine Delila.

He ran into a Great, great aunt of Celeste, the Tricolor Heron out doing her morning fishing. She was in a terrible rush and kept on flying. Besides, as she was later overheard to say with a sniff, that she “didn’t have time to stop and chat about the affairs of the heart”:

So on and on he went with no resolution. It was too far to go to see the Shaman on Lake Okeechobee to get his advice. But like his spirit brothers and sisters, the wolves in Yellowstone, TV had developed a special relationship with the moon over the years. When it was full and fully risen, he would sit under a lone palm tree and point his beak towards the sky.

What followed, I’m not at liberty to say but Testaverde came back one night with a little skip and hop to his stride. Everywhere he went after that, the avian and mammal world would sigh with appreciation. Even the humans were stunned by his unique and striking demeanor.

Delila was with her sister Delice when she caught sight of this Adonis and gazed with adoration at him. Of course, Delice could only laugh at this turn of events.

[caption id="attachment_1510" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""MMMMMMMMMmmmmmmMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmm""]

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Now, whenever there was a splash party and Delila caught sight of the “new” TestaVerde, she would let out a little screech and run to his side.

[caption id="attachment_1511" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Yooohooooo, TV wait for meeeeee""]

[/caption]

What happened that night under the palm tree, you wonder? I often wonder myself (TV only divulged bits and pieces) but if I have to take a guess, I’d bet that TestaVerde came into his own that night. He realized that by being a kind and gentle soul and having so many wonderful friends was more important than being the latest crush at the rookery.

What do YOU think?? I’d love to hear your speculations. Oh, and Basilio the Roseate Spoonbill: what happened to him? Well, there’s much, much more to this story and all will be revealed down the road a bit. First, we must go back to the Great Blue Herons’ tale narrated by our diva, Maya the Great Egret. So, while you’re speculating on what happened to TV the Rosy that fateful night, why not listen to this love song done by MY biggest crush when I was 13. Oh, be still, my fluttering heart!!! Ciao, y’all et á bientôt. ;D

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First Love Is Never Easy, Part I ©

Friday, February 12, 2010 Posted in Music, Wildlife

I’m sure that everyone can remember their first love or crush and how deliciously painful it was. Well, our avian friends go through first love anguish too, as we’ll see.

Delice and Delila are Roseate Spoonbill sisters who both take on life and love with much wisdom whipped up with a dollop of whimsy. Here they are taking a “walk” in the barrier island neighborhood where they grew up:

They are very much admired and loved by all and have had several beaux throughout the years. Here is a close up of them:

They often reminisce on the time that Basilio the Roseate Spoonbill was the king of the rookery and strutted (or so everyone thought) around breaking hearts left, right and center.

Delice knew that her sister Delila had a fierce crush on him and went around proclaiming to her girlfriends that she would die of love for him. But how could they encourage her when they, themselves, were smitten!! Testaverde (Italian for “green head” – owing no doubt to his rather verdant dome) or TV the Roseate Spoonbill (as most called him) would shake his head at these “foolish gushings” as he called them:

One day after such a pronouncement, Delice realized that Testaverde was carrying a torch for Delila:

When Basilio would appear on the scene, gasps of admiration could be heard all over the pond:

[caption id="attachment_1476" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Elloa, girls, I mean Ladies, i mean women...You arre alle so vurry, vurry beeeeaaaauuutifulle!""]

[/caption]

On those occasions, Delila would be overcome with so much emotion that she would paddle furiously in the shallow waters and kick up masses of bubbles:

[caption id="attachment_1477" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""My heart, my heart!!! Delice, is he watchin'? No!!! DOANT LOOK!!! But is he watchin'?"]

[/caption]

But some of those present didn’t share the same amorous feelings about Basilio that Delila and her girlfriends had. In fact, some were downright clear in their opinions about him and if you listened hard enough you’d hear rumblings of the word “showoff” thrown around.

[caption id="attachment_1478" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Mumble, mumble, mumble, grumble, grumble. Mumble, mumble, mumble, grumble, grumble. Mumble, mumble, mumble, grumble, grumble. Mumble, mumble, mumble, grumble, grumble. Mumble, mumble, mumble, grumble, grumble. Mumble, mumble, mumble, grumble, grumble. Mumble, mumble, mumble, grumble, grumble. Mumble, mumble, mumble, grumble, grumble."]

[/caption]

Sometimes, even Basilio himself could feel the negative vibe his presence produced among some and would take off for farther waters at the first sign:

Then, Delila would mutter into her feathers that Basoo (a nickname she gave him) probably left because of TV the Roseate Spoonbill and his cronies:

[caption id="attachment_1480" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""He's SUCH a jackjackass, such a jackass, that TestaVerde, he is!!!!!""]

[/caption]

Testaverde, his heart in smithereens, would approach Delila who had started kicking up bubbles in her dismal and frustrated state:

[caption id="attachment_1481" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="“Who YOU calling a jackass, now you’ve hurt MY feelings”"]

[/caption]

Then, Delila would apologize profusely to poor Testaverde. The crack in his heart would only grow bigger with her every word.

[caption id="attachment_1483" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Aw, c'mon, TV, ya know I dinnit mean it. I'ma so in love wif Basoo I ferget ya hev feelins' too.""]

[/caption]

A little tear would slip down his beak and to cover up his feelings, he would call out to the others to join him in a little swim party.

[caption id="attachment_1484" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! Whoohaww!! Yipee yaw! Yay! ""]

[/caption]

Everyone, especially Delila, enjoyed a Rosy Swim Party and would splash to their heart’s content. They would carry on like this for a good half hour before going to catch a tasty hors d’oeuvres and a drink to quench their mighty thirst. All would agree that life was, indeed, good despite all the trials and tribulations of first love:

But something strange and wonderful was about to happen. And you’ll hear all about it in a few weeks!! Before that, Maya the Great Egret will narrate a story about the Great Blue Herons at the rookery and she is losing her feathers with the excitement of talking to you all again.

Meanwhile, I want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ and beyond and leave you with Dan Hill’s gorgeous song: “Sometimes When We Touch”. Enjoy ;D

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A Tale of Woe as Told by Juno the Osprey

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 Posted in Wildlife

Hello, y’all. My name is Juno the Osprey and I’m Neptune the Osprey’s sister. Neptune is famous in these parts ‘cos he catches the best fish and even holds workshops fer tha tourists who doant kno how to fish!! Anyhowdaloo, Ima here today to telle y’all a tale of woe about peeple who MIGHT kno howta fish but shurrre cain’t dispose of their debris in the right way ya kno!! Lemme git Ms P ta put up a few photos to illustrite my tale:

Juno1-1

Waille, me an’ my brother Neptune the Osprey were hangin’ in tha nest a few weeks ago when in flew a Great Egret:

GrEgret1legwospreys-1

After the greetings all ’round, the Great Egret and Neptune started a discussion on the best time ta fish. Welle, normally, I’d tune out that kinda talk but the visitor sounded so sad, I decided to put off my nap:

CUGrEgret-1

On and on he went, tellling us how he had recovered from a long illness after losing a leg. “YA LOST A LEG???” yelled Neptune? “Howdat happin??”

Neptune-1

And he tole us ’bout tha filament and hooks that the people who fish leave behind. Instead of disposin’ of ‘em properlike, dey jest cut ‘em loose in tha water and thain us poor wildlife are left ta deal wif it. “Some of us die a terribal, painful death, doncha kno!!! I wuz lucky.” With that, he flew away and suddenlike I saw the missin’ leg:

GrEgret1legfly-1

Oh, it makes my heart sad to think of it. Anyways, back to a few weeks ago: I met up with a Yellow Crowned Night Heron who spends her days and nights looking for somethin ta worry ’bout:

Worrywart-1

She tole me ’bout the Brown Pelican who got caught in a fishing line and spent 3 months in a rehab center:

Brownpelly-1

He almost died before the good humans could catch him and take care of him. Then, last week I ran into Delice and Delila the Roseate Spoonbill sisters:

rosy-1

They tolle me ’bout the injured Snowy Egret down at the pier:

snowyinjured-1

He had the same kinda injury from discarded fishing filament but overcame enormous hurdles and now he rules in Fish Soccer:

snowyinjured2-1

What’s Fish Soccer, you say? Oh, it’s just our version of the human one but we use fish instead of a ball. What a DUMB idea, non???? Usin’ a ball, I mean. At least you can eet tha fish!!

So, what would it take for humans to dispose ‘a their debris properlike? Oh, let me think:

letmethink-1

Done thinking. Alle ya need is a little more respect and kindness fer us wildlife, non??? After all, we bring so much beauty into yer lives, don’t we deserve a little more thoughtfulness?? So, please, plese pleeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzeeeeeee, watch out fer my friends.

So, Ms P thank yuuu fer lettin’ me telle mah tale a’ woe. Must go an’ take a nap now:

bye-1

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A White Ibis, a Seagull and a Catfish: A Tale Told by Maya the Great Egret

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 Posted in Music, Wildlife

Maya-1

Hello again, y’all. You probably pass right by me on the beach every day but don’t recognize me! See, Ms P is still using my chickhood photos and won’t show me as I really am until next year. Go figure! Humans! Anyway, I have a tale to tell y’all about my new BFFF (best feathered friend forever), Whinona the White Ibis. Together with Juno the Osprey and Julio the Cormorant, we have the most AWESOME time hangin’ out fishing an’ flying all over the barrier islands. Well, one day Juno the Osprey was talking about her brother’s friend RV the Reddish Egret and how he’s sooooooo annoyed at the seagulls for trying to steal his shrimp. Neptune the osprey is…?? Yes, Ms P, I’ll speed it up!! Long story short: those seagulls try to annoy the white Ibis, too, when they’re fishing.

A few days ago, Whinona the White Ibis took a trip with her aunt Jemina the White Ibis to Ding Darling to visit with the extended family:

[caption id="attachment_1295" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Oh, look, Aunt Jemina, there are the new Juvenile Wood Storks cousin Gino was talking about.""]

"Oh, look, Aunt Jemina, there are the new Juvenile Wood Storks cousin Gino was talking about."

[/caption]

They were having a whale of a time caching up on all the news and getting to know the new additions to the Wood Stork family:

[caption id="attachment_1296" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Tweet, tweet, grunt, schrrech, tweet, twit, twittor, twit, tweet, screech, grunt, squak, tweet, brack, tweet, tweet, twit, twittor, twit, tweet, screech, grunt, squak, tweet, brack, tweet, tweet, twit, twittor, twit, tweet, screech, grunt, squak, tweet, brack, tweet,tweet, twit, twittor, twit, tweet, screech, grunt, squak, TWEET, brack, tweet, tweet, twit, twittor, twit, tweet, screech, grunt, squak, tweet, brack, tweet!!!!!????????""]

"Tweet, tweet, grunt, schrrech, tweet, twit, twittor, twit, tweet, screech, grunt, squak, tweet, brack, tweet, tweet, twit, twittor, twit, tweet, screech, grunt, squak, tweet, brack, tweet, tweet, twit, twittor, twit, tweet, screech, grunt, squak, tweet, brack, tweet,tweet, twit, twittor, twit, tweet, screech, grunt, squak, TWEET, brack, tweet, tweet, twit, twittor, twit, tweet, screech, grunt, squak, tweet, brack, tweet!!!!!????????"

[/caption]

Eventually, they decided to part company with the Wood Stork family and went on their way to do a spot of fishing:

[caption id="attachment_1297" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Aunt Jemina the White Ibis: "Ah, i just LOVE the Wood Stork family, don't you, Whinona?""] Aunt Jemina the White Ibis: "Ah, i just LOVE the Wood Stork family, don't you, Whinona?"

[/caption]

As the day went on, Whinona, Jemina and the whole White Ibis clan met up with a huge mess of Great and Snowy Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, other White Ibis clans and a few herons—ya know, your Great Blue, Little Blue and yer Reddish. Everyone was babbling about the early arrival of the White Pelicans who had just arrived that morning from Up North, exhausted from their long journey. I doant know why humans here call it “Up North”—we’re hardly at the south pole where the icecaps are melting an’…?? Yes, Ms P, I’ll speed it up and keep on track! Scheesh, she’s fussy today, innint she? So, anyway, a bunch of ‘em decided to fly to the next pond and greet the new arrivals:

[caption id="attachment_1298" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet, Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet, Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet, Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet, AI JEST CAIN'T WAIT TO SEE OUR FRIENDSESES FROM UP NORTH!!! Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet,Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet,Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet""] "Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet, Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet, Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet, Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet, AI JEST CAIN'T WAIT TO SEE OUR FRIENDSESES FROM UP NORTH!!! Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet,Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet,Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet"

"Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet, Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet, Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet, Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet, AI JEST CAIN'T WAIT TO SEE OUR FRIENDSESES FROM UP NORTH!!! Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet,Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet,Twit, squak, brack, twit, twittor, tweet"

[/caption]

But the Cormorants and the gulls had beaten ‘em to it:

[caption id="attachment_1299" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Julio the Cormorant: "Y'all look so tired. Why doncha jest set an' rest awhile? We'll git some fish fer yez.""]

Julio the Cormorant: "Y'all look so tired. Why doncha jest set an' rest awhile? We'll git some fish fer yez."

[/caption]

Once all the welcome mats had been pulled out and fluffed up, Whinona the White Ibis said farewell to Aunt Jemina the White Ibis and poked around for a few bites. After some satisfying shrimp, a nice fat catfish presented itself. Whinona couldn’t believe her good luck!!! But it was not to be without some fracas, as we shall see:

[caption id="attachment_1300" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""I can feel someone starin' at me tail feathers.""]

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1301" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Be still, my beatin' heart--is that REALLY a catfish?""]

Seagull: "Whatcha got goin' there, hein?, hein?"

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1302" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Seagull: "Whatcha got goin' there, Whinona the White Ibis hein?, hein?""]

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1303" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Seagull: "Hey, ya know catfish is very bad for the Ibis--hard to digest, doncha know!!""] Seagull: "Hey, ya know catfish is very bad for the Ibis--hard to digest, doncha know!!"

Seagull: "Hey, ya know catfish is very bad for the Ibis--hard to digest, doncha know!!"

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1304" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Git away, Mr. Seagull, yer not gittin' this." "Awww, Whinona, come on, you kin share, non? non?""]

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1305" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Oh dang, I'm so winded from that Seagull but I'm not lettin' go!!!""]

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1306" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Hey, Whinona the White Ibis, are you aware that yez have green stuff on that beautiful beak? Put the cat down, why doncha, hein?, hein?""]

"Hey, Whinona the White Ibis, are you aware that yez have green stuff on that beautiful beak? Put the cat down, why doncha, hein?, hein/"

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1307" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Hey, Whinnie, ya know I could hook you up with some coupons for Mullet King if ya care ta share that cat, hein? hein?""]

"Hey, Whinnie, ya know I could hook you up with some coupons for Mullet King if ya care ta share that cat, hein? hein?"

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1308" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""AAAAWWWWW, Whin, fer Pete's sake, jest lemme git a bite, why doncha/""]

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1309" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Eh Whinbo, d'ya hear that the catfish is vurry bad this year! Red Tide an' all that, doncha know????""]

"Eh Whinbo, d'ya hear that the catfish is vurry bad this year! Red Tide an' all that, doncha know????"

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1310" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""WHINONONNNNNAAAAANNNAAA, yer goin' ta choke on that, ya are!" "YUUUUUUMMMPPPPPP, YUUUUUUMMMPPPPPP. Deleeeshusshhhh!""]

"WHINONONNNNNAAAAANNNAAA, yer goin' ta choke on that, ya are!" "YUUUUUUMMMPPPPPP, YUUUUUUMMMPPPPPP. Deleeeshusshhhh!"

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1311" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Going, goin'.....""]

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1312" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""...gone! Oh boy, that was one big catfish!!!" "] "...gone! Oh boy, that was one big catfish!!!"

[/caption]

After such an ordeal with the cheeky seagull, Whinona the White Ibis decided to hang out that evening with a bunch of Rosies and the King/Queen of them all—the Great Blue Heron.

[caption id="attachment_1313" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Tomorro, Ima do a diet--no more catfish!!!!!!!""]

[/caption]

And, over there is none other than Baudelaire the Great Blue Heron inspecting the troops:

inspecting-1

Another perfect day in paradise closes its doors with clouds ablaze from the sun’s setting embers :

[caption id="attachment_1315" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Sunset at Ding Darling"]

[/caption]

CORRECTION: Ms P says that is not Baudelaire the Great Blue Heron but we will get back to his story in a while. And, please enjoy one of Ms P’s favorite artists by clicking here. Oh, and if you want to hear about Neptune the Osprey’s tale of RV the Reddish Egret and another pesky seagull, click here.

Y’all come back in a few days when Ms P will have a contest! Whew, FINALLY!!!! ;D

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