Snowy Egret hunting for dinner,
plunges his beak,
and pulls out a fish!
Night Herons, White Faced Ibis, Snowy Egrets and Great White Herons, block my path!
424 different bird species have been identified at The Salton Sea, including this handsome Snowy Egret with striped stocking legs.
The placid Black Bellied Plover eats bugs in the sand,
while White Pelicans lumber off as I near.
They soon skid back,
flashing irked looks my way!
Great Blue Herons watch as if saying, “I’m a very big bird, you better be careful, if you come my way!”
Cheers to you from the wintering shorebirds at The Salton Sea~
Such beautiful birds! Great photos of them. 🙂
So happy you enjoyed them and cheers to you!
Those birds seem so comfortable with you, may be irked but not upset enough to squawk at you or fly into you.
Wishing you clear skies ahead and warm regards for your new year! 🙂
Visa versa 2UX2 Robin & to your family! 🍾🍾🎉🎉🎆🎆
Okay, missy, I’m naming you the Bird Queen. You get the best shots of birds. Actually it’s true of everything you take photos of, but since I love birds, I picked you to be their queen photographer!!! Love and hugs, N 🙂 <3
Laughing, Bird Queen, I’ll take the crown but I fear I maybe dethroned! 🍾🍾🎉🎉🎆🎆
No way missy‼️ You’re too darned good to lose that crown❣️😘
Wonderful, Cindy.
Grazie mille!
What a menagerie of birds. I would never have appreciated them if you had not done such a great job of capturing them. Thanks! And a prosperous and healthy New Year to you and your loved ones.
There are lots of ‘dem birdies at The Salton Sea! Happiest New Year to you Wally. I look forward to sharing 2017 with you my friend~
hope you have had a great couple of days, sends you warm hug.. lots of good vibes
Back 2UX2! 🍾🍾🎉🎉🎆🎆
Fantastic photos, Cindy! You might like this article on water issues in the west, including the Salton Sea.
http://www.hcn.org/articles/new-documentary-offers-a-sharp-look-at-the-wests-water-crisis
Thank you! Sobering and so concerning. We have finally had some back to back rain storms in SoCal, we are still in drought, but at least it provides relief. It is a grave situation and we still need more rain.
Great captures of these handsome birds Cindy 💛
The birdies, and I, thank you Val! 🐤
NatGeo!
Laughing……I wish!!!
The details you capture..! Natgeo indeed 😀
Ahhhh, you are very kind & Happy New Year!
Happy new year! ^.^
Those egrets always look like they’re walking with hunched shoulders.
Laughing, Like pure white Lon Chaney draculas!
Glorious pictures Cindy.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Thank you David & Happy New Year to you and yours!
So Beautiful, keep them coming.
Thank you for appreciating the birdies & cheers to you~
Aren’t they gorgeous? Funny thing is, just days ago I drove along I-5 and spotted some egrets flying (so beautiful!) and I thought to myself, “I wonder when Cindy will post something focusing on egrets!” and here it is! Looks like you heard me! 😀
We are in psychic-bird communication! Laughing…..
Outstanding captures Cindy – thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful New Year 🙂
🍾🍾🎆🎆🎉🎉
Your photographs are so beautiful!
And you are very kind and most appreciated! Cheers to you~
What a wonderful selection of beautiful bird photos. I can feel their soft plumage from here 🙂
Grazie! The egret feathers are so fine and delicate. Love them~
These are gorgeous, Cindy. The egret took my breath away … Happy New Year, sweet friend ♥
Happy New Year to you and yours Tina and I look forward to spending 2017 with you~
Happy New Year!!!
🍾🍾🎆🎆🎉🎉
Beautiful and calming. I particularly love the snowy egret in that calm water with the grass stalks and the little plover.
Shorebirds and their habitats are very relaxing places to visit, unless of course you are a little fish!
Lovely to see these pics, Cindy – shoreline birds are my very favourite of all types – more please!!! 🙂
Now, since you asked, I will be forced to take more photos of them. Thank you so much for asking, now I have an excuse! 😉 😉
Perfect, thank you!!! 😀💕
Wonderful shots, Cindy
Thank you Derrick & cheers!
Wow! Absolutely stunning shots, Sue. Wonderful scenes, I love these beautiful birds. Thanks so much.
I am very happy you enjoyed them and appreciate your kind words!
superbes pictures Cindy
Vielen danke mein lieber Freund!
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
A wonderful late Christmas present from Cindy Knoke in the form of these beautiful herons, pelicans and plovers…
Somehow I got unfollowed from you! Thank you Sally and hoping you are enjoying the holiday week! 🍾🍾🎆🎆🎉🎉
I am Cindy thank you.. quiet but taking advantage of the lull.. Hope Christmas was great for you too.. hugs xx
We have herons and swans in our local river. I just love watching them.
I would love to have swans nearby especially during nesting season!
Snowy Egret had a bad hair day, then / so cute <3
I think that’s what they call fly away hair! Laughing…….
http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7056/6793711978_78b008a64c_m.jpg
Delightful, gorgeous bird photos! Happy New Year wishes Cindy! Hugz Lisa and Bear
Happy New Year to you and Bear! 🍾🍾
The pelican coming in to land is a great shot. Happy New Year to come. 🙂
They seem bottom heavy when they take off, and then they land by skidding in on their heels! They are so comical to watch~
I’ve tried the landing part. It’s great fun. 🙂
Awesome pictures! The snowy eaglet looks very handsome. The white pelican landing shot is just so cool!
Ahhh, thanks my friend and I am very happy you enjoyed these feathered friends~
These birds are so pretty. 🙂
Thank you Ranu & Happy New Year to you!
In the last photo that blue heron seems to be trying to tiptoe out of the picture with a wary look in your direction…… 😉
Thanks for a great descriptor and that is exactly how they move, tip-toeing silently away like burglars!
🙂
These are remarkable captures, Cindy! I love the two bird in flight shots, the splashes are so cool! I know how difficult to capture. 🙂
Pelicans as so big, they make big, plonking splashes! When they take off, they look like they are too heavy to get airborne, which is probably why they get so annoyed when I walk up to them. I can almost hear their discussion, “Oh God, here she comes again. I guess we’re going to have to try and take off again……”
🙂 They are awesome divers, too! !
Wow! Beautiful captures!
Touched & appreciative. Thank you~
Great shots, Cindy. I love the snowy egrets with their beautiful feathers, they are so majestic!
They move so fast when they strike too, which is how they manage to catch these tiny fish. It is most impressive to see~
Impressive camera-work, too!
Love this post🤗
Ahh, thanks for making me smile!
You are very welcome!
what a beautiful bird
thnak you so much cindy for good sharing
happy new year
kisses
🍾🍾🎉🎉🎇🎇
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos. Now I want to frolic with your feathered friends! 🙂
I think they would kinda enjoy playing cat and mouse with you Brad!
LOL, I’m game!
Gorgeous photographs of these wonderful birds Cindy! :o)
Merci beaucoup mon ami!
Je vous en prie chère Cindy :o)
Cindy – Thanks so much for this wonderous view of a beautiful place right around the corner from me! Haven’t been there since I was a small child – now I know I need to re-visit. Susan
When you go let me know, I’ll give you some tips on the best birding spots!
I will. You seemed to have found them all!:)
Outstanding photos, Cindy — I do love the Snowy Egrets, with their pristine feathers!
Women used to adorn themselves with egret feathers. I am glad that is a practice that has faded, but I can see why they wanted to look like an egret!!! Laughing……
The pelican landing… I am forever amused! Thanks, Cindy! –Curt
They have the most cumbersome take offs and landing of any bird, short of The Blue Footed Boobies!
And their fishing! 🙂
They are amazing fisher birds! They hit the water at ninety degree angles with beak spears ready and come up gulping!
Fun to watch the larger fish going down their gullets!
Yes it is, but whatever you do, don’t sit under a tree beneath them!
Laughing. I haven’t had that experience, Cindy. And, as much as I love new experiences, I think I’ll pass on that one! –Curt
Smart man!
What is our fascination with birds? Is it their shier grace and beauty? Perhaps it’s that they have conquered one of the main problems that we are still struggling with – transportation and they have done it so elegantly.
Leslie
Yes! I agree. Plus they can escape us whenever they choose by flying away. I think we all have wished we could fly away from certain people and situations!! Laughing……
I think most of us have had dreams that we could fly. Maybe some day we will.
Happy New Year Cindy.
Leslie
As long as it is not on commercial airline, I’m game!
I agree with you there……
🦆🦆
I’m in awe of your shot of the egret striking with his beak. Whenever I patiently wait for a heron to go after the fish — I get so excited when (s)he does that I forget to take the shot. I agree with you that herons have a patent on “the” look. Happy New Year.
They move in this somnolent slow-mo all the time, lulling you, and then, like faster that a spark, they strike, are done, and have a fish in their beak!!
Perfect description. Thanks for the new word. I guessed from the context but I like the word somnolent…
🦆🦆🦆
What beautiful birds! I think my favorite is the Snowy Egret.
They have the prettiest fluttery feathers!
amazing
Grazie mille!
LOL – that pelican was definitely giving you the “stink-eye!” Wonderful photos, as always.
🙂
Reblogged this on Random Ramblings; Myriad Musings and commented:
Some beautiful photos of wintering waterfowl – thanks for sharing, Cindy!
😎
I think it is a pain for them to lumber into take off, kinda like B-52’s, and they aren’t pleased with me for provoking this!!! Laughing, thank you & cheers to you my friend~
I loved the snowy egret!
They are so pretty! Glad you do & thank you~
I think I would spend a lot of time by The Salton Sea looking at those lovely birds if I lived closer 🙂
You, think like I think! 🐦
I agree, you are the bird queen. You get the best shots ever. Had no idea there would be so many birds at the Salton Sea. I always get an education here. Happy New Year, Cindy.
The real bird queen (whoever she is) will be quite annoyed at this coup d’etat, but who cares. I could just be queen for a day right????? We all should be the queen of something for a day!
http://data.whicdn.com/images/176664/thumb.jpg
I spent the day on the water photographing birds – many of the same species! – at Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve on the Gulf of Mexico. Such fun eh! Yesterday I took the best photo of a peli that I’ve ever taken. It will show up on the blog, but I’ll put it up on FB tonight. Are we friends on FB? We should be if you’re on FB.
Alison xo
Let’s be friends on FB. I never go there but I will now to see if we are, and if not, I will request you. Can’t wait to see the peli! I got some good ones a few years ago in St. Croix where they were doing these vertical dives and coming up with fish! Amazing birds!
such a great number & diverse too! Looks like a nice spot to hang around for a few weeks Cindy!
It’s a two hour drive one way from my home which is the only thing that keeps me from doing that!
you can’t set up a base camp somewhere or a camp ground close by?
‘Egret’ post as always, my friend! ⋋╏ ❛ ◡ ❛ ╏⋌ ⒽⓤⒼ♡♡♡
‘Egret’ post as always, my friend!♡♡♡⋋║ ՞ ▽ ՞ ║⋌
🐦🦆 🦆 🐦
I knew Salton Sea as a child. I’m sorry to see its levels so dramatically decreased, but happy to see there’s still wildlife there 😉
It is in very bad shape generally, but the southern portions host huge numbers of birds and even mammals like foxes, raccoons and coyotes~
Sorry to hear. I suspected as much. I’d imagine any body of water, especially in that part of the country, would host whatever wildlife finds it. Thanks for the memories 😉
Thank you more for the kind appreciation!
Reblogged this on Still Another Photoblog.
Very kind of you and most appreciated too, by both the 🦆🦆🦆 and I!
Beautiful post, Cindy 🙂
Awww, Happy New Year my friend and look forward to spending 2017 with you!
Thank you Cindy, we will get a great new year, I think 🙂
I wish we had birds like that here! We have the Blue Herons but no snowys. Thank you for sharing them!!
We had a Blue Heron on our doorstep who stayed until I called wild animal rescue. He seemed tame, but he was very BIG! I opened the door once and there he was in my face! 🦆
Fantastic post : )
Awww, so kind and so appreciated! 🦆
How lovelyt the birds
The birdies, and I, are very glad you like them! Cheers to you~
Aah, that makes me feel chirpy. Many thanks, to you both.
🍾🎉🎆💃
The Salton Sea is so interesting. Just heard a really good podcast about it (99% invisible). Hope you made it to Anza Borrego too!
Oh, yes multiple trips to Anza every year, all my life, but I have yet to see a burrowing owl! 🦉
Best to you and yours for the coming New Year!
I had a Coopers Hawk visiting my bird feeder the other day.
Once I get ‘im on the computer I’ll try to send you a copy 🙂
Love to see him! Thank you Jules & Happy New Year~
Gorgeous photos, Cindy. I love pelicans – they are so prehistoric and impressive in the air. As for taking off from the water, well, less than graceful!
They are the most impressive fisherbirds aren’t they! I marvel at them hitting the water at a ninety degree angle and flying up with a fish!
Beleza de tirar o fôlego!
Obrigada e mais feliz Ano Novo para voce e sua família!
Obrigada Cindy!
<3
Is that mexican language?
Have a nice evening.
Beautiful and your photography is superb. 🙂
So kind of you and so appreciated! Happiest New Year to you and yours!
Beautiful as always Cindy.
Happy New Years to you & Jack and wonderful to hear from you~
Thanks Cindy, so far it is looking good. Happy and healthy travels to you and Jim
<3
You will probably like it here. Near our place is a bird sanctuary called Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary. Birds all the way from Russia, China, Canada, and other northern countries fly there to roost, feed, and mate there. During autumn months, the sanctuary is teeming with birds. 🙂
Yes. I would love it there and would love to visit. Thank you for the tip & Happy New Year!
Gorgeous pictures! What a diverse flock of birds all going about their business in the same place. Great capture. 🙂
It is remarkable to see them all mixed together isn’t it! The Ibis really stood out. Happy New Years to you Vashti~
Love the pelicans 🙂
They are pretty remarkable birds aren’t they!
The birds are so spectacular! Alfred Hitchcock’s Birds were not so pretty!
Lol! Living in Toronto, the only things that block my path are cars and beggars.
The Salton Sea sure is a sweet body of water.
Happy New Year, Cindy! 2017 will be fab! :star:
🍾🎉🎆💃🍾🎉🎆💃
Beautiful photos; especially enjoyed the first three of the snowy egret fishing! Happy New Year!
Thank you & 🍷🎊🎈🎉🎆💃!
Stunning photos as usual! One can almost feel the sunlight you have captured. My favorite is the white pelican with such details of the feathers. We have them that winter here but I have not even attempted to photograph them. They are really beautiful and you caught one in flight. See you next year!
What lovely thoughts. Thank you & Happiest New Year to you & yours~ 🍷🎊🎈🎉🎆💃
Buon 2017
🍷🎊🎈🎉🍻🎆💃
Wonderful pictures of the birds.
Sp happy you enjoyed! 🍷🎊🎈🎆💃
HAPPY NEW YEAR HW!!! See ya in 2017
Cheers to you Antionette! 🍷🎊🎈🎉🍻🎆💃
Reblogged this on Art by Rob Goldstein and commented:
Shore birds from Cindy Knoke
These shots are gorgeous. I especially like the pelicans. Happy New Year!!!
Thank you! Happiest New Year to you Robert & I hope 2017 has lots of good things in store for you! 🍷🎊🎈🎉🍻🎆💃
I’m very grateful be alive and able to enjoy this moment. 🙂
Ah, smart man. That’s all we have. This moment~
Right…:)
I love pelicans, they’re so prehistoric looking. Wishing you a joyous, laughter-filled 2017, Cindy. xxx Ailsa
Thank you & Happy New Year! 🍷🎊🎈🎉🎆💃
Beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing!
Merci beaucoup & Happy New Year too! 🍷🎊🎈🎉🍻🎆💃
I didn’t realize the area was home to so many birds. Great shots, as always, Cindy.
Thank you & I didn’t either until a couple of years ago. It is not a well traveled place which is probably why they are there. 🍷🎊🎈🎉🍻🎆💃
Wonderful photos, especially of that lovely snowy egret. Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
Merci beaucoup & Happy New Year! 🍷🎊🎈🎉🎆💃
HNYear2017 Cindy 🙂 Thank you 🙂
🍷🎊🎈🎉🍸🍻🎆💃
Great pictures, Cindy. Happy New Year 2017! 🙂 — Suzanne
Than you Patricia & 🍷🎊🎈🎉🎆💃!
I love water birds. Living in Florida, I see many herons. Each time I see a bird, I am captivated. The photos are wonderful! <3
Awww, thank you my friend. I need to go back to Florida to see the birdies!
Great sea bird pictures, Cindy! Looking forward to seeing your gorgeous shots in 2017. Happy New Year!
Visa versa 2UX2 & 🍷🎊🎈🎉🎆💃!
Bonjour CINDY
C’est mon ami
L’ordinateur qui vas de cœur en cœur
Grace aux petits mots d’amitié
Qu’ils lui sont confiés
Il est venu me demander
Si je n’avais pas un cœur à honorer
Je lui ai remis ce petit message
Qu’il vienne le déposer sur ta page
Même si tu habites dans le lointain
Je sais qu’il en trouvera le chemin
Bonne Année 2017
Passe une très belle journée ou soirée avec ta famille à table , en ballade ou autre
Si tu as quelques petits rayons de soleil dans la semaine profite de ceux-ci
http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/595695bonnejourne.gif
Gros bisous Bernard
Que votre nouvelle année être en bonne santé et de bonheur rempli de Bernard! Nous vous remercions pour votre gentillesse ~ 🍷🎊🎈🎉🍸🍻🎆💃
Beautiful beautiful Cindy– looks like you found a sunny warm day down there– it’s been pretty rainy up in north Orange County here. My favorites are the pelicans! thanks
thank God for the rain! It is a blessing isn’t it. Our creek is now a creek again! Thanks Rhonda & Happy New Year~
That’s great! We actually saw (a little) water in the L.A. river bed yesterday. And more rain coming! my yard is so happy. xox
For the past few years I would get so jealous traveling when it rained. And now, finally, it is here!
wonderful photos of great birds! I just landed on the site myself…I like what I see!
Thank you very much & pleased to meet you!
your photos are so sharp and pleasing! What camera settings do you use if you don’t mind my asking? I need a new camera, my little Sony works pretty well but I need more accuracy for close-up work.
Always amazed when I come to visit your wildlife photography. Wow! Some really gorgeous images, Cindy. <3
The 🐦🐦🐦 and I appreciate your kindness very much! Cheers to you Olga and thank you!
Great photos! All I could think of was how the heck do they stay so white? Beautiful bird 🙂
They are gorgeous birds aren’t they, especially in flocks of pristine white. The snow geese are the same!
Comment above is so true. I never thought of it like that, but those white birds…. how do they stay white? I love how the pelican looked back at you. 🙂 I wish you a peaceful 2017 and beyond, Cindy!
Yes the very bright white is so beautiful. Snowy egrets, snow geese, snowy owl, all have this brilliant white. Very Happy New Year to you Maiko. It has been a joy sharing 2017 with you!
Trying to scroll through a few more posts while I have a minute. 🙂 Loooove these! ❤️My favorite has to be the Black-bellied Plover though. The composition with the perfect reflection is stunning!
Awww, thank you for noticing! So motivating and so kind of you. Cheers to you~ <3
Love that snowy egret! So much clarity and detail in your photography!
Thank you! Egrets are the most photogenic of birds~
Wow Cindy, I am stunned at the vast array of birds you were able to photograph all in one place. The photo you took on the road is surreal and just plain awesome. Do you know if this is a wintering place for them all now or are all these birds around all year? We used to get the white Pelicans at the lake I lived at here. I do love watching them fly right beside the boat in a great long line. Happy New Year! xo K
This is a wintering resting spot before they head up to hang out for the spring and summer with you Canadians! Lucky birdies! Happy New Year to you my friend~ <3
What lovely photos, Cindy, how lucky to have so many birds close to where you live. Lucky you! We once had an egret stop and visit when heavy rain left a bit of a lake but not much more. In North Cyprus the practice is to kill songbirds in their tens of thousands to eat, would you believe.
An old practice when times were hard but not now, hard to get people to leave old, outmoded habits behind.
I know they used to do that in the UK back in the day as a luxury, eat songbirds. Egrets and herons do this dropping by confused bit a lot. When they show up far from their territory, literally sometimes on your doorstep, they tend to stay, kinda like, “Okay. I’m here now!”
Laughing. I had one come up to me at the beach when I was a kid and I took it home in my basket.
I told my mom, “I have a bird in my basket.”
She said, “Stop making up stories.’
I moved the bird into my playhouse where it lived for quite awhile, until my mother went into the playhouse saw the bird, and got mad at me for keeping a bird without telling her.
This still irks me when I think of it. The injustice!! …..Laughing!
I do love watching Plovers scurrying back and forth at the ocean’s edge. They are so cute <3
They are an especially charming bird. I agree with you!
Herons are so fascinating to see when they search for fishes. I’m lucky. I live near the sea and in summertime I can watch grey herons from my house in early mornings and evenings.
They are pretty effective with their spear like beaks aren’t they!
Yes they are. They move so smooth and without a sound and all of a sudden they catch the fish. I like when they stand totally still also. They look like they thinking of something or just enjoy the atmosphere.
One day I opened my front door and there was a Great Blue Heron. At first I caught sight of it through the window and my immediate thought was, “There’s a dinosaur at the door!”
He was so big up close! He stayed for a few days eating lizards until I got worried about him and had animal rescue pick him up.
Wow! You never forget such moments 🙂
<3
So what did I do wrong or what did you do right? I never saw one living thing at the Salton Sea. Ok, that drunk dude rolling out of his trailer, but other than that…
I am so sad you went without talking to me. Whole shores of the sea are polluted, post apocalyptic wastelands, full of pesticide run-off and dead fish and abandoned towns and interesting people. Interesting to see but not what you were looking for. The south end of the sea in Imperial County and the east side near the Colorado river are like an entirely different planet. The Sony Bono National Nature Reserves Unit 1 & 2, Obsidian Butte, Bowles Road and the south sea wall are teeming with tens of thousands of migratory birds, many endangered. Over 400 species of birds have been identified here. I will post a photo of a burrowing owl I saw recently at the sea near their nest. There are large variety of mammals, and indigenous reptiles. The Pichaco State Recreation Area is full of life. It is one of the most bird rich areas I have ever seen. Makes me sad you didn’t see it. I would have loved to see your photos.
Google where to find birds at The Salton Sea or google Henry Detwiler’s, “Finding Birds in The Salton Sea,” and you will see all the different areas.
Hello.
Why does the pelican look stern as well after landing? 😉
I think he was annoyed that I came close causing him to fly away. He flew back giving me a stern look! 😉 😉
😉
Dear Cindy,thank you for your visit. 🙂
I imagine you will have several secretaries to help you with blog success and respond to your fans. The photos are extraordinary and the majesty of the birds reflects them with the gift that you have to capture its beauty.
Awww, such a lovely comment that touched my heart! If I had a secretary, I would start another blog! This could get very dangerous! Laughing….
Love that egret action shot!
Thanks! Lucky shot~
Based on what I saw in the rest of your blog, luck had very little to do with it 😉
Ahhhhh, you are very kind~
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Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
Thank you China!
It’s beak is as long as its neck !
Good observation! დ
😊
Amazing photos Cindy of these birds.
Thank you very much დ