Pretty Maids All in a Row

I listened to an Eagles CD on the drive in this morning, and I've had that song running through my head ever since I pulled into the parking lot. It reminded me of an ibis encounter I had a couple of weeks back, so I figured: What better to write about this morning?


On my way in to work one morning I spotted an egret flying low over a nearby field, so I turned in to see where he was heading. I parked and quietly walked up the rise. But instead of the anticipated egret, I was surprised to find a wholly different set of waders playing "follow the leader" through the marshy grass.

White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)
The ibises (should that be "ibisi"?) would trudge single-file across one way, then stop and wander around looking for some breakfast. Then one would start heading back the other way — and the other three would fall in right behind, looking for a better hunting spot.


They almost seemed to be crisscrossing the area, and were very methodical in their search.


A few minutes later, the egret swooped in to check on the proceedings.

White Ibis and Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
After what appeared to be a brief conference between the two species, the ibises returned to their work.


The egret stayed for a bit to oversee their work then took wing once again, flashing those "golden slipper" feet as he left almost as suddenly as he had arrived.


Almost as if on cue, the ibises fell into line once more. Pretty maids, all in a row.


For more great bird photos, check out Bird Photography Weekly #8.