MARABOU STORKS
Ethiopia 2013
The marabou storks didn’t hunt for their food in the lake as did the pelicans and Egyptian geese. Being scavengers, they had figured out that by hovering around the fishermen’s camp, they would be able to eat their fill with the leftovers from cleaning the fish.
I had seen the marabou before in Kenya and I had tried to photograph them but wasn’t satisfied with any of my shots. Now I had another chance. There is something about them, though. Maybe it is their fuzzy heads and their resemblance to a vulture. I don’t like any of my photos except the one below.
MARABOU STORK IN FLIGHT
I’m sure you’ve seen old films where a woman carries a “necklace” of feathers. Those were often made from the feathers of the marabou stork. Hence the name of the “accessory” : marabou boa. Think of Gypsy Rose Lee or the other one…what was her name?? Oh, yes. Mae West. Now that’s retro!
I love that shot of several storks standing around. Reminded me of a bunch of old men gathering at the local coffee shop to discuss world politics. I can almost name the participants. Don’t know as yet which one is me. Love, J
Good comment, Jerry! I tried to get a good shot and wasn’t happy with any of them, but your comment sheds a new light and now I’m happy!
Thanks, Rosemary
I like the shot of the group.They do look like old men,I think they can live to an age of 40 years.They look cranky.
Hey, David.
I like the idea of the storks looking like old men. That didn’t occur to me but it is so true. They weren’t cranky…just skittish. Even though they had made the fishermen’s camp their place to get food, they’d fly away if you got closer than 15 or 20 feet.
Thanks for the comment.
Rosemary