Monday, February 11, 2013

Going Bald


Good gosh, am I cute!

I'm starting to lose my what???

I guess bald is beautiful!

As juveniles, Wood Storks are bundles of soft white & brown cuteness. Their long bills are smooth and yellowish. By their 3 summer, things begin to change. One by one their fluffy feathers give way to their scaly replacements. By 4, the Wood Storks sweet, charming appearance has completely transformed into a prehistoric look!

Posted by at

44 comments:

  1. RohrerbotFebruary 11, 2013 at 7:00 PM

    I thought you were talking about me:) LOL!!!! Wood Storks are so ugly that they're cute. Just like Turkey Vultures or CA Condors:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lois EvensenFebruary 11, 2013 at 7:33 PM

    Wonderful images showing the progression! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. IanHFebruary 11, 2013 at 8:00 PM

    Kind of like a cross between a stork and a vulture. :-}

    ReplyDelete
  4. Seagull SteveFebruary 11, 2013 at 8:15 PM

    Wow....I never really thought about how juveniles had a feathered neck and adults didnt...I always just looked at bill color to tell them apart. Amazing pics, rad post.

    ReplyDelete
  5. TexWisGirlFebruary 11, 2013 at 8:22 PM

    have never seen a juvenile! they are pretty cute! an adult stopped here one winter. very prehistoric! poor things...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Joop ZandFebruary 11, 2013 at 11:12 PM

    They are very photogenic Tammy......good shots again.

    greetings, Joop

    ReplyDelete
  7. Marc HeathFebruary 11, 2013 at 11:58 PM

    Nice shots Tammy, not the best looking of birds I have to say but appealing to many I'm sure.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Isidro OrtizFebruary 12, 2013 at 12:16 AM

    Excelentes capturas Tammy,enhorabuena.Un abrazo

    ReplyDelete
  9. IrmaFebruary 12, 2013 at 12:32 AM

    Great photos Tammy!!
    The second is my favorite, so sharp and fine detail, well done.
    Greetings Irma

    ReplyDelete
  10. JohnFebruary 12, 2013 at 1:45 AM

    Not the best looking birds that I have ever seen Tammy, but still cracking photos of them!
    J
    Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bob BushellFebruary 12, 2013 at 1:55 AM

    Love it, it's baldness gets me there. Beautiful Stork, thanks Tammy.

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownFebruary 12, 2013 at 6:08 AM

    Que animal más bonito y que bien le has fotografiado.
    Preciosa también la foto del pelícano.
    Saludos!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ana Mínguez CorellaFebruary 12, 2013 at 7:07 AM

    Amazing species and beautiful images .. Congratulations Tammy ..

    ReplyDelete
  14. RonFebruary 12, 2013 at 8:33 AM

    I can sympathize with this bird! LOL

    Nice close up shots.

    ReplyDelete
  15. GordonFebruary 12, 2013 at 9:37 AM

    Good lord Tammy I think you must have them as pets in your yard you are so close -;) terrific pics, I just love em.
    All the best Gordon.

    ReplyDelete
  16. DaveFebruary 12, 2013 at 11:36 AM

    Wonderful clarity here Tammy and informative too. Your right about the prehistoric look, something only a mother could love!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Alan PaveyFebruary 12, 2013 at 12:07 PM

    I think I will find out about bald is? Soon! Lovely pics Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  18. Pasión por las avesFebruary 12, 2013 at 12:48 PM

    Hola Tammy magnificas fotografias de esta especie desconocida para mi.Un abrazo

    ReplyDelete
  19. JFebruary 12, 2013 at 12:52 PM

    Beautiful photos, although I'm not sure I'd call the birds beautiful! Great shots, Tammy!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Two Old BirdsFebruary 12, 2013 at 1:03 PM

    So cute to so non cute. lol. Good subject ,I never really gave it much thought. Good choice of bird.

    ReplyDelete
  21. MariaFebruary 12, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    HA! This is sooo funny. You got a great deal of detail here too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Laurence ButlerFebruary 12, 2013 at 6:17 PM

    Nice shots Tammy, thoseStorks really seem to trust you. It's with good reason of course, as no one has done so much as you to raise awareness and sympathy for the growing epidemic of Stork Pattern Baldness.

    Their necks look like sand sea cucumbers too.

    ReplyDelete
  23. RosemaryFebruary 13, 2013 at 5:35 AM

    Thanks for the chance to see these storks so close up. Nice progression of their appearance and sooooo cool to marvel at!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ingemar PetterssonFebruary 13, 2013 at 8:53 AM

    Hi Tammy!
    Lovely birdphotos of a great looking bird. But who wants to go bald.. ;)
    Your no1 in birdphoto
    Have a nice evening
    /Ingemar

    ReplyDelete
  25. NoushkaFebruary 13, 2013 at 9:16 AM

    Hahaha!
    Now you made my Nay!
    Your post is so funny and the pics are just brilliant!
    Magnificent closeups!
    Keep well Tammy!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Mia McPhersonFebruary 13, 2013 at 12:15 PM

    These are terrific Tammy!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Jesús CastellanoFebruary 13, 2013 at 6:04 PM

    Estupendos primeros planos, con una excelente nitidez.

    Saludos.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Ottars fotobloggFebruary 14, 2013 at 5:00 AM

    Stunning images of this rather strange bird. Fun to see new species, so thanks for sharing with us.

    Ottar

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2013 at 7:14 AM

    Great close up and personal shots Tammy. They do look gorgeous while flying with their black tipped wings.

    Happy heart day to you and yours Tammy <3

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wally JonesFebruary 15, 2013 at 9:24 AM

    Great shots of a young representative of a threatened species here in Florida. It seems we have an abundance of them locally (west central Florida) but in their historical home in the Everglades they continue to decline.
    Hope we see lots more "balding babies"!

    ReplyDelete
  31. JannFebruary 15, 2013 at 6:45 PM

    Really nice shots Tammy, considering the subject matter LOL! Wood storks aren't the prettiest bird, but I still find them likeable!

    ReplyDelete
  32. ReenaFebruary 15, 2013 at 8:05 PM

    Great captures. These guys don't rank up there with other beauties but still pretty in flight!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Stewart MFebruary 16, 2013 at 12:24 AM

    The bird in the second image looks surprised about something! Nice set of pictures.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  34. Lorents H BlomsethFebruary 16, 2013 at 8:28 AM

    Hi !
    Nice pics and funny comments this time too, Tammy !
    Have a nice weekend in Florida, and take care !
    Greetings from Norway !

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2013 at 3:33 AM

    Thanks for stopping by Tammy.. hope your and little birder are enjoying a fun weekend. Hugs ~:)

    ReplyDelete
  36. CatherineFebruary 17, 2013 at 6:18 PM

    Haha! Perhaps this bird has no feathers on his head so that he is more aerodynamic! Fun post!
    xo Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  37. Larry OstbyFebruary 17, 2013 at 8:24 PM

    Oh my!! Cute to be sure. Great photos Tammy, love the detail.

    ReplyDelete
  38. AnonymousFebruary 19, 2013 at 5:36 AM

    Brr hopefully we will both warm up today- the sun has appeared in all its glory this fine morning :)

    Happy day to you Tammy ~:)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Marco LuijkenFebruary 19, 2013 at 6:31 AM

    Hey Tammy,
    What a beautiful shots of these "ugly" birds...!! They are not pretty with their ugly heads, but so funny and special to see.
    Amazing how you photographed them so well. My compliments!!

    You've got a wonderful banner at the top of your blog!!

    Many greetings,
    Marco

    ReplyDelete
  40. Gunnar HustadFebruary 21, 2013 at 12:08 AM

    Nice pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  41. eileeninmdFebruary 22, 2013 at 2:08 AM

    Tammy, cute post! I love the Wood Storks. Awesome closeups. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Julie G.February 22, 2013 at 2:42 PM

    Excellent documentation of the physical changes that take place as a Wood Stork ages. Superb photographs, fantastic detail!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Ana Mínguez CorellaFebruary 27, 2013 at 11:45 AM

    Superb!!!.. This is a wonderful bird for me.. I love.. Great portrait.. Well done!!!...

    ReplyDelete
  44. DanMarch 4, 2013 at 2:50 PM

    A treat to see!

    With my aging eyes. lol

    ReplyDelete

I greatly appreciate your comments!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)