Corps de Ballet of White Ibis
Strolling Vanderbilt Beach in Naples, observers encounter a wide variety of shorebirds working the Gulf of Mexico inter-tidal zone. White ibis strut down the beach in chorus line fashion, dancing in corps de ballet synchrony to the gentle waves. A snowy egret takes solo stage as diva ballerina, followed closely by a towering great blue heron as lead danseur. Brown pelicans engage in slapstick antics and waddle in flatfooted rhythm as comic relief.
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Southwest Florida Shorebirds
This video montage salutes the diversity and the density of feathered life along the Gulf coastline from Vanderbilt Beach in North Naples to the Naples Pier in the south. Â
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)
With splashy red face, long curved red bill and red legs offsetting pure white feathers, white ibis group together in corps de ballet to forage for prey in the shallow surf.
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Straight black bill and black legs with yellow feet, sometimes called golden slippers, and a splurge of bright yellow eye shadow, the snowy egret dances the waves alone as a diva ballerina.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
A welcomed friend whose company we enjoy all summer on Cape Cod, the great blue heron stands superhero tall among other shorebirds and takes his place as the lead male danseur. He stakes claim to a large corner of the shoreside stage and other dancers give him wide berth.
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
The Great Bard recognized the need for comic relief. Even in his most tragic tragedies, clowns abound to break tension between clash of swords and duel of wits. And so our ballet des oiseaux offers clowns, too, in comedic acrobatics and lumbering strides of brown pelicans, rightfully celebrated by Lousiana as its state bird.
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
Today’s performance earned a regal audience. Royal terns, recognized by carrot-orange, dagger-like bills and scruffy black tuffs of head feathers resembling a serious case of male patterned balness, command front row seats as they stare intensely at the Grand ballabile.
Standing Room Only (SRO) for Le Ballet Des Oiseaux
Overture for Le Ballet des Oiseaux begins in the morning at sunrise with final curtain falling with the setting sun into the Gulf each evening. No reservations are required, but SRO is the rule.