Today, I was surprised to find a pair of Wood Storks lounging in our yard. They let us walk up close to them without concern. Emily, our 15 year old daughter, took these pictures with her new camera.
As a child I loved coming to Sanibel with my binoculars and Audubon guide. My parents would drop me and a friend off on the island with our bikes. We would spend the day riding around and exploring Sanibel Island. A highlight of our day was riding on Wildlife Drive through Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge.
Back in the 1980’s sighting a Wood Stork was a big deal and the birders would all be excited. I’m not sure if there are more Wood Storks today, or that by living on the island, sighting them now seems more common.
Now I am thrilled that my children can see sights like this in our own back yard. They get to see nature on a daily basis in ways most folks can only experience when they go on vacation.
Wood Storks are large tropical birds that can grow 45 inches tall with a 70 inch wingspan. They eat frogs, fish and large insects. They are the only Storks that live in North America.
