Saturday, January 7, 2017

The Elusive Limpkin

How many birds and animals do we miss in the wild because they are so perfectly camoflauged?

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I know we miss a lot when we hike Blue Run Park in Dunnellon.

(some we should probably be glad that we don’t see!)

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We were finishing up a hike when we stopped to see 2 Ibis in a marshy area near the trail. (I’ll save those pics for another post!)

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And when I walked…S L O W L Y…to get a better look (AND photo!)

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a limpkin came into view.

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He had his prize and he was making a run with it.

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I thought it was a fish until I looked at the photos and realized it was a freshwater clam or mussel!

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Hubby stayed back and told me to look again and there was a second limpkin that I hadn’t seen!

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We rarely see a limpkin and on this hike we saw two! And we’ve never noticed the clam bed!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

46 comments:

NanaDiana said...

That is amazing. I have never seen one of those either. I would have loved to see him crack that clam open to get to the 'goods'. Have a great weekend, Diane. xo Diana

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Diane! Awesome series of shots on the Limpkin. They do love to eat those Apple Snails. I heard they pile up the empty shells in one spot. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

Lea said...

Great photos!
Have a wonderful week-end!

Christine said...

Hi Diane and well spotted! These are fantastic photos of the limpkins, a bird I've never seen before!
They certainly enjoy clams!
Have a fun weekend!

Sam I Am...... said...

Amazing! Beautiful and so true about all the things we DON'T notice! Looks like there's a big clean up after that dinner! LOL!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

nice shots of those limpkins :)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

You get the best photos of on your hikes!

Lorrie said...

What great photos. Limpkins are perfectly suited to their environment! Hidden in plain sight!

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

You captured the beautiful limpkin beautifully. How wonderful to come upon such beauty when you hike. Your trail certainly rewarded you and your hubby! ♥

Vee said...

He is a very handsome fellow...I have only seen exciting things when I take the time to pause. The eagle and the heron come to mind.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Oh, how exciting to see these! I've never heard of them! Looks like they are getting quite a nice harvest, too! Hope you have a lovely weekend. xx Hugs Karen

podso said...

I enjoyed your nature photos today!

Anni said...

First....love your focus word for 2017!!

And to see a Limpkin...that'd be a dream come true for me. Fabulous photos Diane.

Small City Scenes said...

Truly amazing. a clam how neat
MB

happyone said...

You're right we do miss a lot. Some animals really blend in well!!
Your photos are beautiful.

NatureFootstep said...

wonderful images of the limpkin. A bird I have only seen once and just for a short moment. So great to see yours :)

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Great shots, glad you were paying attention and noticing what you hadn't seen before.

Janey and Co. said...

We'll, I am impressed. So much fun when you happen onto a great photo op.

Stephanie said...

Oh yes, I have often wondered how many things I miss in nature simply because they blend in :)

Your photos are fabulous, my friend. My son enjoyed seeing the bird and the clam bed. Hugs!

ann said...

Some amazing sitings of birds that we will never see here in Colorado and such great photos of them. I am glad that you shared them. Happy New Year Diane.

GreenComotion said...

Beautiful bird with an amazing camo!
Lovely photos of the scenes.
Thank you for visiting me.
Have a Happy Weekend!
Peace :)

doodles n daydreams said...

Amazing shots.

Diana

Debbie said...

WoW!! Lucky you, what an awesome sighting - you captured it beautifully!! Have a wonderful Sunday!!

Phil Slade said...

Spot on. Birding neeeds concentration and keen eyes. And also, we must not forget to use our ears to find and then see birds.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Pretty Bird!, love the feather color pattern and soft expression.

Nancy Chan said...

Amazing find. They are so good at opening the clams and pile the shells in the same place. Happy Sunday!

Boopnut said...

Would prefer to go "birdin" than walking outside here in Wisconsin. Always a pleasure to "hike" with you.

Connie said...

Awesome photos!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Great photos - what treasures to find the birds and then their little cache of shells - terrific. Happy wandering my dear.

Anonymous said...

Wow Diane,what amazing pics,i havent heard of these birds before and i wonder if they have trouble openning up the clams,lol,thankyou for sharing.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I love these birds -- the first year we were here this was our first new (never seen before) bird I spotted in Florida, so they have a special place in my heart. -- have seen them eating snails, but never clams. Good catch.

Anonymous said...

Diane, those limpkin birds are adorable. They remind me of a kiwi bird though I'm not sure why. I think it is the beak.

Lowcarb team member said...

Amazing ... great photo's, thanks for sharing them with us.

All the best Jan

Red Rose Alley said...

Diane, I have never heard of the Limpkin. He IS camoflauged amidst all the wild. He is a strange looking fellow, and his feathers are peculiar. You took some great pictures of him. :)

love, ~Sheri

Red Rose Alley said...

Diane, I have never heard of the Limpkin. He IS camoflauged amidst all the wild. He is a strange looking fellow, and his feathers are peculiar. You took some great pictures of him. :)

love, ~Sheri

Debby said...

They must have strong beaks to pry those shells open. Cute bird. Hope you are doing well.

Carla from The River said...

You are a great photographer! Have you ever thought of entering your photos in a contest?

I did not know what a Limpkin was, this was a fun post to learn about this beautiful bird.
Carla

Julie said...

This bird looks Like our New Zealand Kiwi crossed with a duck.

http://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/north-island-brown-kiwi

BeachGypsy said...

Great shots there!are yall getting any of the cold weather?- dang we are freezing here!!not used to this

♥ Łucja-Maria ♥ said...

Woow!
Beautiful bird!
Greetings.

Cherdecor said...

You are making us want to move to Florida. You live in an animal kingdom! Wonderful pictures!

Forest Dream Weaver said...

Great shots!

orchid0324 said...

Hello; Wonderful series of photographs of Limpkins♡♡♡ Oh, yes that's the clam bed! I wish I could see this rare bird for me :-)

Let me say late Happy New Year and wishing you wonderful year 2017♪
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend, xoxo Miyako*

Prunella Pepperpot said...

Your Limpkin images are stunning and yes they are so very well camoflauged, well spotted!!
Have a wonderful Wednesday :)

Jacqueline said...


These are wonderful photos! Jackie

Jeanie said...

These are wonderful. Sometimes, when Harry the Heron gets close to the shore he just seems to disappear. They're amazing that way! Lovely photos.