What in the world is this bird please?

[PCNW]

I'm assuming some sort of stork, seen in the US in Florida.

[ovenbird]

Wood Storks (Mycteria americana)...pretty funny looking, aren't they?

[PCNW]

Mutants for sure.

[Atravelynn]

You were shooting in your own neck of the woods?

[PCNW]

Yes Lynn, I outfitted one of my sons with a camera and we went to Paynes Prarrie to see the gators. But with low water levels the gators were scarce.

[Whyone?]

Woodstorks are pretty rare themselves!

[madaboutcheetah]

I'm going out tomorrow evening in my neck of the woods ....... Will report back!

[Tom Kellie]

~ @PCNW:

 

That's quite a sharp image — Great!

The two storks are so clearly defined in contrast to the gently blurred background.

I've never heard of this species, nor do I recall ever seeing it in general bird books.

Thank you for posting it and thereby educating me.

Tom K.