Life and Death

As this Florida white ibis, one of the birds in the colony shown yesterday, is preparing for a new season of breeding and nesting, one can't help to contrast their life cycle with that of the Florida pines, many of which can't escape dying. This ibis looks small perched high up this dead pine tree, but it was beautiful when taking off, spreading its black-tipped wide wing span. That action was too fast for my poor photographic skill so I am sorry I can't show it here.