This striking White Ibis was perched in a tree along Titusville Road.
Fortunately for me there was room to safely pull off the road.
Even better for me, the Ibis wasn’t alone.
Titusville Road, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
February 25, 2026
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 25, 2026
A Roseate Spoonbill started what looked like a perfect landing in a palm tree.
Landing gear out…
…ready to nail the landing!
Something wasn’t to his liking at the top of the palm…
and almost immediately he went back the way he came.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 24, 2026
We went to Florida last week for a few days, first stop the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. This pool is at edge of the larger alligator area and the clean water flowing in provides a good spot for bathing.
There also is a nice covering of trees on this side, providing some shelter from what has been really cold weather for Florida.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 24, 2026
A few more images from September 1, when we saw several hundred wading birds, mostly Wood Storks with a big sprinkling of Roseate Spoonbills.
Normally this area is covered with 1 to 2 feet ( 0.5 meters) of water, too deep for these wading birds.
A few of the birds were still feeding, but most were just standing around at this point.
Or idly pacing around.
A wider view shows the stream that was left behind as the pond drained.
Lodge Pond, Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
The tide was in and water in the ponds was high so the wading birds were taking spots in the trees.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 5, 2025
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
Sometimes birds just make me laugh.
Usually it is the Snowy Egrets with comical behavior but this time a Roseate Spoonbill was feeding away from the bigger group and seemed to have something to say.
Then he took a short-hop flight over the Snowy Egret.
Landed with more drama…
…then took a walk.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
Back and forth, following the food, and each other, a group of Roseate Spoonbills was feeding up against a hummock in Lodge Pond.
A few Wood Storks were at the edge of the group, sticking to the shadows.
Then, following a leader on some secret signal, all the Spoonbills walked onto the exposed grass…
…and crossed to the open water on the other side…
…paying no attention to the alligators.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
Some days there are no birds in view; some days are like this!
We were here August 21, the water was high, and we saw a total of six birds.
Yesterday (September 1) the water had been let out of Lodge Pond leaving these streams with a concentrated food source for wading birds that feel for their prey.
There were hundreds of Wood Storks, at least fifty Roseate Spoonbills, and a sprinkling of Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets taking advantage of the easy eating.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025
