I was delighted to see so many Roseate Spoonbills on our January trip to Florida.
These are such fascinating birds, both in their look and behaviors.
And I can’t resist taking pictures of them in flight…
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
January 20, 2023
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023
A Roseate Spoonbill working his stretch routine
Stretch it on down and hold 5, 6, 7, 8
Then rest and survey the swamp.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 29, 2022
This Wood Stork was taking a break as two Roseate Spoonbills worked the shore behind him.
The water wasn’t attractive and the mud, well is mud. But there was a decent reflection.
And a Tricolored Heron photo bomber.
Perry Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston SC
December 4, 2022
As is often the case with a large gathering of birds as seen in my previous post, it can be hard to know which action to watch.
A flying Roseate Spoonbill always takes precedence.
Many of the birds, like this Great Blue Heron, were just standing around.
Finally the Roseate Spoonbill took a break from feeding. You can see he his young by the feathery fuzz on his head and those two-toned pink feathers on his rump.
Perry Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston SC
December 4, 2022
Earlier this fall I mentioned that the water was being drained from the big rice field pond at Magnolia in preparation for burning the invasive cattails. Conditions to start the fire didn’t come together before the approach of a late season hurricane and with the potential for damage to the dikes from a storm management decided to let the water back in.
This past week they decided to try again. One of the staff told me they hope to burn by the end of December. In the mean time, wading birds have gathered to take advantage of easy feeding in the shallow water.
The alligator ramp in the upper right in the next photo would normally have water up to the lower end.
The Great Egret in the center caught a tiny fish, and a leaf.
It was a grey day so I didn’t get much contrast with all the white birds, but it was a fun show.
Perry Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston SC
December 4, 2022
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 4, 2022
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 16, 2022
The Snowy Egret and the Spoonbill took a break from harassing each other while the Great Egret was doing his own thing.
A closer look at the Alligators: it was warming up and they were looking for sunny spots out of the water.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 16, 2022
