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AS FOR THE STORK
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“Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.” (Psalms 104:17 KJV)
Dan’s Wood Stork Tree
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Tag Archives: Wood Storks
Lee’s Four Word Thursday – 6/30/16
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AS FOR THE STORK
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“The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.” (Psalms 104:16-17 KJV)
Dan’s Wood Stork Tree
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Jacksonville Zoo’s Noisy Stork Tree
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) with Chicks Jax Zoo by Lee
Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7 KJV)
Last week while we were at the Jacksonville Zoo, we noticed a tree loaded with Wood Stork nests. It was hard to miss as you could hear it from far away. As you watch the videos, you will hear the noise coming from all the nest. The tree was right by the boardwalk, so we were very close to them.
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) with Chicks Jax Zoo by Lee
Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. (Psalms 104:17 KJV)
Wood Storks are part of the Ciconiidae – Storks Family and are also mentioned several times in Scripture. That makes them one of the Birds of the Bible – Storks. We are fortunate in that we get to see Wood Storks quite frequently here in Polk County, Florida, especially out at the Circle B Bar Reserve. Circle B is one of my favorite places to go birdwatching. Yet, I have never seen the nest up close like this.
Here is a combined video of the noisy tree: (Ignore the talking in the background, listen to the noisy birds.)
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Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. (Psalms 33:3 KJV)
After taking photos and videos, I found three young one showing how the noise was produced. Now multiply that by all the other nest with young ones doing the same thing.
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O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. (Psalms 95:1 KJV)
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Hope you don’t mind seeing some of the photos also. These are set up so you can see them larger. Enjoy the Lord’s Creation in the form of Wood Storks.
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- Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) with Chicks Jax Zoo by Lee
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- Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) with Chicks Jax Zoo by Lee
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- Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) with Chicks Jax Zoo by Lee
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- Wood Stork Chicks – Noisy
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- Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) with Chicks Jax Zoo by Lee
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- Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) with Chicks Jax Zoo by Lee
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- Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) Jax Zoo by Lee
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See:
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Wood Storks at Gatorland
Lee with Wood Stork at Gatorland by Dan
Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. (Psalms 104:17 KJV)
As you can see, these birds at Gatorland can get quite personal. I had been photographing this Wood Stork when Dan took my picture. My hand was about a foot from his beak. On the rail behind us there is a Great Egret and a Snowy.
Lee with Wood Stork at Gatorland by Dan
Thought maybe you might like to see what photos I had been taking of that Wood Stork. They were really close-up needless to say. I have been known to be closer. (Me Feeding a Stork)
Wood Stork Close-up by Lee
How about a little closer – zoomed in:
Wood Stork Face Close-up by Lee
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Wood Stork Neck Close-up by Lee
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Wood Stork Beak Close-up by Lee
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What always amazed about the Wood Storks is that to me they are “ugly”, but when they fly, they are so graceful. Isn’t that the way with us. The Lord made us all, birds and humans, but when we look at someone, there is always somethig that we can find to compliment them on.
Wood Storks belong to the Ciconiidae – Storks Family.
This photo was just caught as one flew over, not in focus, but you can see their beauty.
Wood Stork overhead at Gatorland
Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7 KJV)
Below are the photos taken of the Wood Storks around Gatorland. The ones in the distant were zoomed in from across the pond (see that photo). Later, we walked around on the other side of the pond and got them closer.
(Disclaimer, I am not a photographer, but a birdwatcher. So, don’t expect super shots, but just trying to show different parts of the Wood Storks.)
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See:
- Gatorland Birdwatching Trips
- Birds of the Bible – Wood Storks
- Birds of the Bible – Storks
- Birds of the Bible
- Ciconiidae – Storks Family
- Wood Storks – All About Birds
- Wood Storks – Wikipedia
- Wood Storks – Audubon
- Who Paints The Leaves?
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Birdwatching at Circle B Bar Reserve – October
My "Zip" (battery operated)
Dan and I have been out to the Circle B twice in the last few weeks. We were there on the 14th and again this last Saturday, the 24th. The birds are definitely getting back down here. What an increase in Wood Storks, several hundreds, and the Roseate Spoonbill started arriving this last week, according to one of the volunteers.
The visit on the 14th, which was briefly mentioned in Stork II, was the first time I tried out my new “Zip”. As has been mentioned before, I have a slight handicap and this is a great assist. Anyway, after unloading it, off we went for a nice 73°F birdwatching adventure on a clear day. Just outside there were about 20 Black and Turkey Vultures hanging out at the brook, which is part of the reserve. Overhead a Great Egret, Osprey and some Boat-tailed Grackles flew by. The Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, Red-Bellied, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, and the elusive, but calling Carolina Wren greeted us on the way to the marsh. Once we got there I was amazed at all the Wood Storks and the others birds that had arrived.
Carolina Wren - Finally
Here is what was spotted (or heard) then in order I spotted them: Turkey and Black Vultures, Blue Jay, Fish Crows, White Egrets, Carolina Wren, Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Wood Storks – lots, Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, Tufted Titmouse, Green Heron, Downy Woodpecker, Glossy and White Ibises, Tricolored Herons, Moorhens, Mallards, Ospreys, 2 Spoonbills, Double-crested Cormorants, Anhingas, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks-lots, Great Egret, Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbird, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Cattle Egrets, Belted Kingfisher (finally got sort of a picture of it), Northern Mockingbird, Grey Catbird, Blue-grey Gnatcatchers, Northern Harrier, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, and the Common and Boat-tailed Grackles. Not a bad 2 hours of birding. A total of 40 identified.
On Saturday, we birded for about an hour before we met a group of about 10-12 AWANA boys from our church. We had been asked to join them as they went birdwatching. We figured we would get pictures before they came, as youngster can be enthusiastic and might spook a few birds. Actually, they did right well and got to see lots of birds. I got to go with them further than normal because my “Zip” was with me.
Roseate Spoonbill
What we saw were about the same birds as before with the following changes. I finally got a picture of that elusive Carolina Wren. I have heard it for months, but never got a look, let alone a photo. It’s not that good, but it’s a prize for me. Up in a tree we spotted what we thought was a Hawk, but when looking at pictures, realized it was the juvenile Bald Eagle. There were a lot more Roseate Spoonbills (20-30), Tufted Titmouse, Sandhill Cranes, Blue-winged Teals have arrived, Snowy Ibises, Pied-Billed Grebes, possible Mottled Ducks, Purple Gallinules, Bald Eagles (a juvenile and adults-3 in one tree), and more unknowns. So, in the two trips the total is 48, not counting the unknowns. I almost forgot the hugh alligator. Someone said about 14 feet long.
Does the eagle mount up at your command, And make its nest on high? From there it spies out the prey; Its eyes observe from afar. (Job 39:27,29 NKJV)
I haven’t added Dan’s photos yet.
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For other birdwatching trips to the Circle B Bar Reserve
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Saddle Creek Birdwatching – 09/05/09
Saddle Creek Park - Polk County, FL
Today Dan and I headed out to join the group at Saddle Creek, who do a walk each Saturday from Mid-August to October. By the time I figured out that my legs would cooperate and decided to go, the group had already gone down the trail. So we just birded on our own. In just the hour we stayed there, we were able to see or hear at least 26 species, plus the few unknowns.
When we first entered the park, we were greeted by over 40 Wood Storks (see photos). They were standing around, flying around and sitting in trees, so an accurate count was difficult. On the way to the trails we spotted, Great Blue Herons, Anhingas, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Egret, Common and Boat-tailed Grackles, Northern Mockingbird, Eurasian-collared Doves and Mourning Doves and a Muscovy Duck.
Wood Storks at entrance
Back at the parking area for the trails, we heard wood being banged on and sure enough a Pileated Woodpecker was right in the tree above our heads. Later we also heard a Downy and a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Along the open area by the pond were several female Common Yellowthroats, Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron and in the pond were several Common Moorhens being kept company by two large alligators.
Wood Stork Tree
While we were watching them, 3 Sandhill Cranes flew over and then some Fish Crows flew by. As we walked along the bushes at the edge of the lake we spotted a Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher, Belted Kingfisher and heard a Carolina Wren.
All in all, it was a nice birding morning. It was 75° when we started with about 85% humidity. Other than the humidity, it was a great day to enjoy God’s Creation.
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Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 