Tag Archives: Florida

Roseate Spoonbill Taking A Bath

I took these images from a boardwalk, above the action, in the late morning when the sun was nicely angled into this corner.

Roseate Spoonbill, Bath Time
Roseate Spoonbill, Bath Time

From this angle I could really see how the bird was rotating his wings, not just flapping.

Roseate Spoonbill, Bath Time
Roseate Spoonbill, Bath Time

The maintenance crew had been flushing the water in this pond.

Roseate Spoonbill, Bath Time
Roseate Spoonbill, Bath Time

I could see the bottom suspect that it is some kind of cement or manufactured material to hold in the water and ensure the alligators can’t burrow out.

Roseate Spoonbill, Bath Time
Roseate Spoonbill, Bath Time

This fellow wasn’t having great success on cleaning his shoulders, which may explain why he kept at it.

Roseate Spoonbill, Bath Time
Roseate Spoonbill, Bath Time

Taking a pause…

Roseate Spoonbill, Bath Time
Roseate Spoonbill, Bath Time

St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
January 20, 2023

White Ibis Taking A Bath

Or, how a White Ibis stays white.

I spotted this White Ibis off the edge of the boardwalk, glistening from his bath.

White Ibis, Bath Time
White Ibis, Bath Time

I figured I’d missed the action but a couple moments later he took another turn.

White Ibis, Bath Time
White Ibis, Bath Time

He was really rotating his wings…

White Ibis, Bath Time
White Ibis, Bath Time

…sending water all over.

White Ibis, Bath Time
White Ibis, Bath Time

The wiggly lines in the water are reflection of the wire  fence at the back of the rookery area that keep the Alligators contained.

White Ibis, Bath Time
White Ibis, Bath Time

St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 6, 2023

Roseate Spoonbill Walking The Trunk

A Roseate Spoonbill walking a branch after landing, still flapping his wings.

Roseate Spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbill

Prime spots to the left were already occupied.

Roseate Spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbill

Fortunately for me, he stopped right there with a nice background created by a shedding tree.

Roseate Spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbill

And he settled in for a bit.

Roseate Spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbill

St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
January 20, 2023

Anhinga Perched on Gnarly Tree

A female, or possibly immature male, Anhinga was perched atop a gnarly dead tree branch above my head.

Anhinga
Anhinga

She sat there for quite awhile, just looking around. We were back at St. Augustine this past week and many of these dead and dying trees have been cut down. They are being replaced, three huge palm trees were being installed while we were there.

Anhinga
Anhinga

St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
January 20, 2023

Roseate Spoonbill Taking Flight

I was delighted to see so many Roseate Spoonbills on our January trip to Florida.

Roseate Spoonbills in Tree
Roseate Spoonbills in Tree

These are such fascinating birds, both in their look and behaviors.

Roseate Spoonbill Taking Off
Roseate Spoonbill Taking Off

And I can’t resist taking pictures of them in flight…

Roseate Spoonbill in Flight
Roseate Spoonbill in Flight
Roseate Spoonbill in Flight
Roseate Spoonbill in Flight
Roseate Spoonbill in Flight
Roseate Spoonbill in Flight

St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
January 20, 2023

Blue-winged Teals

Despite the green patch seen in the middle duck here, these are Blue-winged Teals.

Blue-winged Teals
Blue-winged Teals

A slight shift of the wing and you can see just the powder blue patch, and the more distinctive white patch on the male’s head.

Blue-winged Teals
Blue-winged Teals

This trio had all been either feeding or bathing.

Blue-winged Teal
Blue-winged Teal

A good shake put the feathers to rights.

Blue-winged Teal
Blue-winged Teal

Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023

Orlando Wetlands Park is 1650 acres of man-made wetland designed to provide advanced treatment for reclaimed water from the City of Orlando and other local cities.