The African SAcred Ibis~! by kimariehere
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Description
Hello All!
I shot this bird when in SanDiego last month... While we were there we visited to the San Diego wild animal park. My daughter was sick that day so I didn't get all that many shots in, as we had to leave. But I did like it there cause it is all natural free roaming habitat unlike Zoos.. Harder to capture the birds and animals than Zoos, because they have free roam.
To shoot this guy I had to climb through a narrow revine that I nearly got stuck in LOL (step over the gaurd rail., and climb up the rocks ). I snuck up on him and got fairly close before her flew off ..I wasn't sure what he was but did some research and found out..
Heres a little of what I found out about this strange looking bird!!:
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This is the African sacred Ibis, - named due to it being worshiped as a God in ancient Egypt
Sacred ibises are native to Africa and Madagascar. Part of the group of medium-sized wading birds, they are 30 inches in length with bills which are long, thin and strongly down-curved; and their faces are without feathers. They are gregarious birds, traveling and breeding in flocks. They fly with their necks straight out in front and their long legs trailing behind, alternately flapping and soaring.
These birds inhabit shores and marshes and feed on amphibians, insects, insect larvae, and other small aquatic animals. They feed by touch, not sight, as an adaptation to the muddy waters. Nests are formed on the ground in papyrus thickets or bushes or in trees. Three to four eggs are laid. The chicks have dark plumage and are fledged in 5 - 6 weeks.
Ibises are an ancient group of birds: their fossil record goes back 60 million years. Their record in human history goes back 5,000 years. The ancient Egyptians venerated the Sacred Ibis and made it an integral part of their religion and of their written hieroglyphics. To them it was the god Thoth (the scribe to the gods), so Thoth was pictured with the head of an ibis. In Egypt today the sacred ibis is very rare; it is common only in Africa south of the Sahara. They have not been bred in Egypt since the first half of the nineteenth century.
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Forgive me for getting behind in comments , My teen has been on doing her reports, and then Mike has been doing stuff for his teaching requirements.. so I have to squeeze on in late at night..LOL
Thanks for all your time and comments-you all have been so good to me and are so dear to my heart!!
BIG hugs!
♥
Kimmers!
Comments (56)
Mondwin
Only SPLENDID,dear friend!!!!!!!!!!!bravo!V:DDD
Richardphotos
what a handsome devil he is, so proud! one fine capture Kimmers
pimbotin
There's something "human" in his attitude... Great shot!
Georges_H_Hoens
Wow Kim, the bird is cool but your shot is great, the composition is magic, the POV makes this Ibis looking mysterious as a guy from another world or something ! Great capture and fantastic shot!
erlandpil
Good picture
nathalie06
Wowww ! Incredible and majestic bird !!!! The Sacred Ibis is really an impressive bird. I agree with what Pimbo write, about his "human" attitude standing in this position. You've made a beautiful composition too. It's all perfect Kimmers ! V
rayburg
Great pic, love your story about climing the guardrail. A good photographer will go to almost any means to get that shot. I would have like to been there to watch you work =))))Nice job girl =)
giareg
Amazing shot Kimarie. best regards G.Paolo
Digimon
A fantastic capture! What an odd looking bird! Well worth your acrobatics!
Cosme..D..Churruca
Terrific creature... I wonder about what is its food. Well, just Ive read it. Very well done !
romanceworks
What a fine and very unique looking bird he is. He almost looks like he's wearing a coat the way his feathers wrap around him. Wonderful shot. :o) CC
Shari123
What an unusual looking bird!! An outstanding capture of him. Thank you for the research information.
ovag
Great shot, Kim. Maybe the background is a little bit overexposed... When I saw it first, it makes me think about a character in the movie "The 5th element" (french movie with B Willis and M Jovovitch, cocoricoooo). I thought that californian wear swin-suits and not such coat during summer... But Egypt is warmer, so he's probably cold !!!!! Well done, as usual. BIGGGG HUGGGGGGS PS Take care of not falling into the cages, 'cause you could be the next on the picture !
hotracer2
Beautiful portrait of the strange looking bird..V
sharky_
Wow! Almost human like dressed in a feather coat. This capture is fantastic. Never seen something like this. Love it! Aloha.....
TwoPynts
Not the prettiest bird, but wonderfully portrayed here.
tibet2004uk
Most fascinating infos and creature here Kim!! Thx for sharing this!!
2Loose2Trek
wonderful shot of a bird with extreme character. Kimmers, ya done good. Excellent! V
Gor111
Oh Kimmers I have never seen such a strange looking bird with this red head. He looks like coming from a hairdresser! LOL Wonderful photography about this African sacred Ibis. I like the black frame around him which does beautiful correspond to hit black "clothing"! Thanks for this so interesting description! V
Valentin
Awesome capture of this splendid ibis... wonderful!!
EmeraldSpider
Fabulous shot, excellent work, he looks so sad and proud sitting there :)
webshadow
I have to agree with pimbotin...he has an almost "human" like face and his plumage almost looks like a suite. grin What an amazingly unique bird. He definitely looks like an old soul, ancient and wise....and you've captured him in a moment where it appears he is in deep thought. Fascinating, compelling shot!
Tedz
You have done well Smudgie...a fine Birdie shot :]
GOLDILOCKSUK
Oh my word it's so weird looking it reminds me of the story the ugly duckling. What a find for a photograph V Cathy xoxoxo
ana-maria
I have never seen such a bird. Excellent capture!!!
DennisReed
A most unusual bird! Interesting shot, and I'd love to have seen a shot of you climbing the narrow revine to get it! :) Bravo!
donvino
Excellent shot, difficult to captured I think, very well done!!!
cynlee
they are such interesting birds! unique, almost prehistoric... glad you got him, worth the effort :]
jcv2
Wonderful shot of this characteristic bird, took you quite an effort - thank you for sharing this fascinating shot!
Shardz
Amazing and very crisp capture of this incredible species! I live about 25 minutes away from the Wild Animal Park and I wish to go again soon! Excellent image and your words are always a great pleasure to read!!!