wood stork

These giant birds are capable of lifting some serious branches...late winter is time for these storks to nest and breed, so there is a lot of flying back and forth with sticks and branches to build their nests.

Surprised to see a pair flying around the area already yesterday! This one was at Huntington Beach State Park, SC

One local wetlands here in Florida is inundated this time of year, starting in mid-January, with wood storks who gather in the hundreds to build nests and breed. Some tree islands of 2400 sq. feet in size will host as many as 25 nesting pairs of wood stork...along with a dozen anhinga nests...

Found in the southeastern U.S., mostly Florida, this is a large stork, heavy body, and big bald head. They nest starting in January and a favorite rookery spot in my area is Wakodahatchee Wetlands - this time of year, there are upwards of 150-200 nesting pairs in just a square mile or so.

Taken at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Florida

Taken at Eagle Lakes Park, Naples, Fl.

The stork was caught flying over Eagle Lakes Park, Naples, Fl.

This was taken at Eagle Lakes Park in Naples, Fl.

Not yet nesting, but fully ready with that plumage. These beauties are on the way back.

They make me smile.

The weather down here was great for January.

A funny looking bird but a great one to watch.

As the wood storks are entering the nesting season, their plumage is at it's finest. This beauty was intent on showing it off with great wing spreads at the top of a pond apple stand. The anhinga was having none of it as I was trying to image the fluffy white beauty.

Another couple seriously thinking about it.

It's that time of year when many waders in south florida work their breeding plumage in anticipation of nesting.

Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) Sexes similar. Along the Pan-American Hwy. southeast of Camp Darin, Darin Province, Panam. Disturbed tropical lowland rainforest (mixed evergreen and deciduous forest) at 40 m (131 ft) elevation.

1 in a series of landing shots. I liked this 1/2 sky, 1/2 green.

A Wood Stork in the reeds at Green Cay Wetlands, Boynton Beach, Florida.

Wood stork portrait

Wood Stork taking off.