I think I will always enjoy watching wading birds feed. There are so many different styles among the various species. Like most people, when I think wading birds, my first thoughts go the fishermen; the herons and egrets. Then there are birds like spoonbills and wood storks that are filter feeders. They filter the water and mud through their large bills to find food items. And of course, there are the probing birds. These guys probe into the mud in shallow water and sometimes on land in search of insects, shrimp, small fish, and worms. The white ibis (Eudocimus albus) is one of the probing birds. It’s so much fun to watch them poking around in the mud or in a field. Ibis tend to be quite social, so you often see them feeding in loose groups. This one was one of several that were feeding in a retention pond in the middle of Gainesville. They kept me well entertained one afternoon while I waited over an hour for an order to be loaded for me. Thank goodness the birds were there. Otherwise, I’m not sure my patience would have lasted long enough!