Ibis, Trying to Get Close to You!

Getting a late start this morning, I decided to go and see if the young White-tailed Kites had fledged yet at the Santa Carina trail in San Elijo Lagoon and maybe get a few shots of the White-faced Ibis that frequently appears from the reeds.

Arriving at the end of Santa Carina street where the trail begins, I immediately recognized two of the autos belonging to our local photographers and they were already out at the lookout checking on the young Kites. I was informed that there were no fledglings yet and not much else was going on with the White-tailed Kites. A shot of one of the adults as he flies by. 

After delivering prey to the youngster, the adult is seen stealing a piece of the nest material to take to the new nest.

 

Wow, looking east, I spot a cowboy and his horse walking towards the lookout area. What great subjects to photograph... a man and his horse.

The Santa Carina trail borders Rancho Santa Fe which is world famous for the wonderful riding facilities and stables. Lots of great riders and horse stables for all types of riding from Hunter jumpers and dressage to roping and western riding to actual race horse stables with full size race tracks. We see lots of horseback riders on this trail but this is the first time I got to meet a real cowboy!

 

I love cowboys and looking at the man and his horse reminds me of the country and western song called  My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys .

He said "howdy" and told me he was visiting a friend in Rancho Santa Fe and brings his horse with him from Colorado every year but this was the first time he'd ridden over to Santa Carina trails. We talked horses... the mare he was riding was an offspring of one of his stallions and he had trained her and she has been his trusted horse for 15 years. She was a beauty and you can see the kindness in her eyes.

He said he would be back next year and got on his beautiful mare and rode back towards Rancho Santa Fe... Wow, he looked gray and tired on the ground but when he got up on his horse and rode, he transformed into a young Cowboy again, what a beautiful sight to see. 

 

Looking below the lookout point, I spotted a White-faced Ibis preening on a mound of broken reeds. It was an adult in full breeding plumage. Both male and female look alike so I am not sure if this bird was a male or a female. 

 

Just east of the reed mound where the Ibis was preening an Great Egret takes flight and spooks a White-faced Ibis out of the reeds.

Many times herons and egrets will forage for food near an Ibis probing in the mud to grab what the Ibis may have stirred up. In return the Ibis gets an early warning of predators from the larger heron or egret because they have the height to spot them before the Ibis can. 

White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi, measures 23 inches with a wingspan of 36 inches. Adults have red irises and red facial skin with white feathering around the face in breeding season. This one in the photo may be a first summer non-breeding adult because it is lacking the white feathering around the face.

The wings really pick up the sunlight and glow showing off the iridescence green-golden colors of the wings. 

 

He follows the clearing in the reeds.

Suddenly, the young Ibis flies out into the clearing and the area already claimed by the adult on the reed mound. The Adult opens his wings and throws his head back in a beautiful display, something that you would see in a exotic painting. The young adult puts on the

brakes and changes direction getting away from the warning of the adult on the reed mound. 

 

The adult holds his warning display and what a sight to see... I wish I had a bigger lens!!

The youngster takes off east and as he flies off the sun glitters off his wings. 

I sure wish I could get closer to an Ibis... they are so exotic and beautiful, it's almost like looking at a flying rainbow!

The adult goes back to preening and relaxes on its reed mound. 

Little bit more preening... 

Now it's time to get something to eat... 

Got it, a beautiful crayfish for this wonderful bird. Hope to get a closer shot of them soon. 

Ready to go home, I was shocked to see the "Gray Ghost", the male Northern Harrier, fly by and disappear just as fast over the hill. What a tease!  At least I know he is still around. 

  

Walking back towards the trail entrance, I spot a Cobweb Thistle, Cirsium occidentale, in bloom, a beautiful native plant that grows in the coastal areas. Thanks to Elizabeth Venrick, PhD, for the info on this lovely plant.

 

Have a beautiful weekend everyone.