Next to the stork, an immature Tricolored Heron also rested and preened.
Suddenly a Great Egret flew in and settled at the edge of the water near the heron. Both started running to the right and the stork rushed over to join them.
I could see the water was disturbed by a school of small fish. The trio began feeding together, and they moved further down the shoreline.
Then the egret seemed to see another school of fish back the other way. Both herons took flight, with the stork running along behind them.
Again they fished together...
...until once again they relocated to the edge of the lake immediately in back of our home. They were so close that I could not fit them all in a single frame with my 420 mm f/5.6 telephoto lens system, but I got some good shots when they passed along in front of me as I stood on the patio.
The Tricolored Heron led the charge excitedly, the feathers on its head erect.
The stork and egret were close behind.
The egret watched, ready to pounce on any fish that appeared as the stork shaded the surface and stirred the water.
As before, the egret sighted another school back where they had previously been fishing, and the trio flew over there.
I believe this is an example of commensalism, with all three species deriving mutual benefit of the others-- the sharp vision of the herons helped find the prey and the stork stirred the water with its foot as it probed, driving the fish out of hiding and thus aiding the herons.
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love this! so great to see them all benefit together.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds. It looks like some kind of team work.
ReplyDeleteGreat observation and photos, looks like a successful cooparation
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful pos but then, so many of your's are. It all goes to show that co-operation is so much more beneficial than fighting over the food source or anything else.
ReplyDeleteWow what a treat to see all 3 birds together like that. That wood stork is very unique looking.
ReplyDeleteAwesome captures. Gosh that stork is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThis is all so incredible!! So many beauties all in one area like this....super. I so enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your link this weekend at I'd Rather B Birdin'
How fun to see all of that right there on your property! Love it!
ReplyDeleteWonderful series of images of the bird.
ReplyDeleteHow special to see them all get along together!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Hey, there's nothing like teamwork! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky. What an amazing set of photos here showing them do what they do best. The Stork is such a harsh contrast to the delicate forms of the Heron and Egret. Very very nice......would love to see a Wood Stork in its element.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and very interesting to see cooperation like that between the three species.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see all three together for comparison.
ReplyDeleteGreat captures of the threesome! They are awesome birds.
ReplyDeleteHI Gary great to see the comparison of size between these birds and see the action on the video
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I love seeing different species of birds together, but never before thought of the way they could benefit each other in this way, making use of their separate "talents'..... How wonderful to have this happen in your own backyard. Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteAwww...it's a nice story too.... maybe they are just three little bachelors ...lonely and hanging out with buddies....
ReplyDeleteVery interesting series, Ken! Wonderful photographs.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the term also applies to birders? A group standing on the shore with scopes and a shout goes out: "Phalarope!". The group rushes to the spot. Another call goes out further along the shore: "Bar-tailed Godwit!". The group sprints to the new spot. :)
What an amazing phenomenon to observe! Great photos.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful set of images!! I couldn't help thinking the first couple of Wood Stork photos looked like he was saying "You want a piece of me?" :) Good to see them all getting along.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post!!!
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