I don’t have a big enough lens to get a good photo but there has been a flock of glossy ibis here for several weeks now. One birder contradicted me last year and until now with gray skies and snow I haven’t been able to identify them by other than their beaks, but today, in full sun, they are magnificent with all their colors showing.
Sorry, I can only see them through binoculars but this is amazing, and I’m not a birder. I’ll try to show you a photo from an established source that was taken around here, to show you this beautiful creature. We are very lucky to live here and see these birds, foxes, coyotes et al undisturbed, right from our home.
So check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossy_Ibis
No luck, and the flock is gone, perhaps predators on the way. The “glass bottle” image of the plumage is spot-on. We’re able to see the nesting grounds of some of the most rare birds in the US. And see their predators. Last year I watched a coyote stalk a couple of cranes for two solid days before leaving. Hey, I wouldn’t want to get pecked or kicked by those guys – I just like to look at them. Happy almost spring (it just snowed again). Dee
Cooking with Dee 
They’re back, and must be in mating mode because they’re iridescent in the last light of the evening before the clouds/snow come back in in a few moments or they fly away again. Dee
Reminds me of that sad short-story –“The Scarlet Ibis”.
I just read it and cried. This is a joyous occasion because of the color of their wings, means it’s time to make baby birds. More red ibis elsewhere and glossy ibis here. Thanks for the shout-out. Dee
There were 22 out last evening, quite close.