A very entertaining group including American White Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Roseate Spoonbills, Wood Storks, a Great Egret and an Anhinga.
And an Alligator.
Pond Of Birds
Tag Archives: Roseate Spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbill Flying By
A pair of Roseate Spoonbills approached the pond where I was watching the White Pelicans and dropped low for a landing.
I focused on the bird in the lead as he circled towards the back of the pond.
He kept right on going passed a Great Blue Heron.
The pair landed with a couple of White Ibis and immediately began feeding.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
November 28, 2019
Roseate Spoonbills Flying Away
A small flock of Roseate Spoonbills took off from the rice field impoundment and headed towards a distant pond.
There didn’t seem to be any great alarm in their going and I hoped in vain they would circle back.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 28, 2019
Roseate Spoonbills
More than other wading birds I see the Roseate Spoonbills often act like they are playing “king of the hill,” jockeying for the top spot or poking at each other to move along.
When pushed enough they take a less desirable spot on this little clump.
This pond is not tidal; the water level is controlled by the SC Department of Natural Resources and on this day it was high. There is an inlet behind where I was standing that is tidal and when the tide goes out the Spoonbills will fly over there to feed in the shallower stream. In the meantime they amuse themselves, and me, with tree antics.
May 2019, Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
Rosette Spoonbill, Treetop Primping
I love to watch any of the wading birds perform their preening ritual, showing off the flexibility of their necks. Add the pink and it gets even better!
Treetop Roseate Spoonbills
I had been hoping to find some Roseate Spoonbills feeding in the pond.
Instead a group of six or eight were hanging around in some tree tops, probably waiting for the tide to go out so they could feed.
A couple of them were quietly resting while the others kept nattering away at each other and the tree.
They were grabbing the branches with their beaks apparently just for entertainment as they only eat crustaceans out of the water.
Under Wing Inspection
And the ultimate in flexibility as demonstrated by a Roseate Spoonbill.
Inspection done, all is good.
Roseate Spoonbills In Flight
About twenty Roseate Spoonbills circled around overhead appearing undecided on where to land.
Finally they picked their spots and veered off in twos and threes.
This pair headed for the tree line, and once out of my sight dropped down into an inlet.
Roseate Spoonbills on Foggy Pond
A small group of Roseate Spoonbills was standing around in the middle of the pond on a foggy morning.
Click image to view larger version.
March 3, 2019, Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
Alligator Sliding Into the Pond
When I saw the big Alligator moving I was ready for the Spoonbills to fly or the Alligator on the right to react. Anything.
No, this time the Alligator slid into the water without any fanfare; none of the other creatures cared at all.
Evidently the big guy didn’t have any cares either, and just floated in place once he cleared the bank.
