The army has landed....

These ibis usually patrol our paddock - they work in formation - spread out in a straight line and march across looking for bugs to eat. For some reason they abandoned their paddock and took flight into the old dead tree - where they proceeded to post sentries watching in all directions!

[Lisa Poland]

Very cool capture!

[Jane Pittenger]

Marvelous silhouettes of these wonderful shapes

[Rob Z]

@homeschoolmom Thanks Lisa - first time they've ever done this!!

[Rob Z]

@jgpittenger Thanks Jane - It really was a lucky catch - they've never done this before! And the sky was very co-operative. LOL

[Taffy]

Very cool -- reminds me of a cormorant tree that I saw in Atlanta -- so many of them in one silhouetted tree. I love this capture of yours!

[Casablanca]

Love this! What a super silhouette. They really do look like they are sentries on guard.

[Deborah McGavock]

Oh wow! I never think that long legged birds should be in trees!

[FBailey]

Dead trees are so photogenic - it looks so strange to see such long legged birds up on the branches:)

[Sapphire]

predator around? they are usually happy on the ground arent they

[Granagringa]

What great silhouettes and the blue stays so true in the sky...Really like how the birds are facing in different directions (ok, I realize you didn't do that...or did you...did you cut and paste each one in some processing technique, hmm? ) The composition is so good, acting as a frame within the frame on the left and so much added value by including the tree top in the rear at the bottom.

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with comments; I will try to do as much and as often as I can. Please know that I really am a fan of yours and enjoy seeing the variety you do (and of course the abstracts..kindrend spirits there)... Already 2018 for you. Hope it is healthy and happy and we continue together here on 365.

[Rob Z]

@taffy Hi Taffy I'm glad you liked this! I was pretty excited when I saw them all land in it - and with the sky co-operating too! They look so different in a tree.. LOL

[Rob Z]

@casablanca Hi Casablanca - they have such a good shape for a silhouette That crazy beak!! Thanks for your comment. Cheers Rob

[Rob Z]

@woofandweft1 Their legs are pretty weird when seen in a tree :)

[Rob Z]

@fbailey Hi FB - this dead tree is a favourite for all sorts of birds - but this is the first time I've seen the ibis in it - they did look pretty odd!

[Rob Z]

@louisanoffke Hi Sapphire - I don't know what spooked them - as you say they are usually marching around on the paddocks.

[Rob Z]

@granagringa Oh Madeline - what lovely things you have said. I have really liked seeing your images and appreciated your support and advice over the past year and I do hope we can both continue onto 2018. This year has been such fun and I have learnt so much. Thanks also for your comments on this - I promise it is pretty much SOOC - no sneaky little added ibis facing the right way LOL It really was just a lucky moment - I had walked out to open the gate for Errol when they all suddenly landed. They are so funny with those long legs up in a tree. I hope 2018 is a good year for you and yours. Cheers Rob

[Dorothy]

Lovely silhouettes of tree and birds. A wonderful sight.
I have occasional visits by Ibis and usually they just poke around the dam and then fly off .