The juveniles follow along to the rookeries. Too young to mate yet still show up. Maybe they were last years hatchlings. They do get in trouble once in a while. Having chicks is serious business, and these guys can go where they are not invited.
Spring time is when Spoonbills colors go over the top. The pink turns red, green pops up, and tails become day glow orange.
All year they are striking, but just look what happens during breeding season…
Two adult Spoonbills tending to their nest. Look closely and tiny fuzzy heads can be seen.
Best viewed large.
After some frustrating misses I finally found the birds usual flight path.
Not a perfect spot, but I was getting close. Like the Great Blues they will have a preferred route. However, they will change it up some LOL.
Roseate Spoonbill leaving a rookery in the palms.
And they kept coming.
At the time I didn’t realize I could get two curious Spoonbills in the same shot. I might have changed my composition a little.
Still I do like this photograph 😁.
We have always tried to start the spring season with a trip down to the Florida coast. Breeding begins a little earlier there.
Shooting rookeries there is a good way to shake the rust off. It’s very forgiving. There’s always another great opportunity if you mess up, always something to learn.
Roseate Spoonbills were in good numbers and gave us the yearly ‘bath time’ shows. Loud flapping and water flying, as always. Of course I took way more shots than I needed.
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Roseate Spoonbill bathing.
Captured the Spoonbill sifting the water in a dark corner. There were plenty of others around but thankfully none right here, it would have ruined this image.
I was shooting dark, but didn’t plan this dark. However I liked the drama so I kept it.
Best viewed large.
