If I've said it once....I've said it a dozen times!
The Roseate Spoonbill is my MOST favorite Florida bird.
We rarely see it in the wild so that makes it a thrill.
This was a day trip to the Gulf of Mexico and we parked and hiked to the observation platform at the end.
But we watched these birds flying overhead from the time we got out of our vehicle.
And it is such a unique bird. When I searched online to read more about it, I found this quote from the audubon website HERE. " Gorgeous at a distance and bizarre up close is the Roseate Spoonbill."
We saw two of them and I think the one in flight is an adult and the one we watched eating is a juvenile.
They are so comical when they eat. They stand in the same spot and swing their head from side to side foraging in the shallow water. They have wide flat bills that sift the muck and uncover food.
We had a wonderful day on the coast and saw lots of beautiful birds!
One more favorite!
Little Blue Heron
It's HOT so the hikes are shorter but it's still great to get outside.
Railroad vine also known as a beach morning glory
Are you enjoying some summertime outings?
47 comments:
I don't think anyone would disagree that Roseate Spoonbill is a very enigmatic bird. I remember the first I ever saw as though it was yesterday.
Oh wow, what a pretty colored and interesting bird. I can see why it's your favorite. My son in Florida was telling us about how HOT it is. Glad you are still able to take shorter walks.
I like how the railroad vine matches the bird.
Wow that is quite a bire to see
I'm glad you got to see them - great photos!
They're my favorite birds too!
pelican, stork, spoonbill, in that order. the first time I saw the stork and the spoonbills I was amazed. all three of these birds are UGLY but Beautiful.. I once saw an entire flock of spoonbills wading in the marsh pond at Robinsons Preserve. there must have been 100 of them, spread out all over the marsh and some swinging there heads like you describe. I said to my friend Diane, bird photographer what is that? love there colors, have to say flamingo's come in close too
What a pretty and unique looking bird. It would be fun to watch them.
Wow! That's very sweet! Thank you! I enjoyed seeing that bird and it's matching flower. Aloha
My outings are all through you!! LOL No, I go from AC'd home to AC'd car to AC'd work, and back again. I love your photos and have seen a couple of the spoonbills at our Lake Morton. They are pretty amazing. Happy weekend!
Rosegate spoonbill looks so special!
What a beautiful and amazing bird. What a great color!!!
Spectacular photos of the beautiful birds! I also liked the pretty Morning Glory's! You are brave hiking on these hot days. Take care and stay cool! Love, Aunt Helen
Neat pictures! What a sunny day you had. I imagine the heat does shorted walks. I hope the birds are managing it well.
What beautiful pictures of the pink spoonbill.
Very special is how they eat.
The flowers are also beautiful.
I wish you a good weekend.
Greetings Irma
Hello,
the Roseate Spoonbill is one of my favorite Florida birds.
Their pink color looks so pretty and I love their spoon shaped bill.
The Little Blue Heron is lovely too. Love the Morning Glory, pretty blooms.
A great outing and beautiful photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Great photos of a wonderful bird!
Love the flowers, too!
Have a blessed day!
Yes, it’s a great day birding when you see a spoonbill! Here’s an odd thing:: they might be expanding their range. Wandering spoonbills have been seen in a lot of unexpected places, even one this summer in WiSCONSIN!
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.om
Thank goodness for the Little Blue Heron or else we might have overdosed on pink!
Spoonbills are so special. Having a chance to watch them feed makes our days better. Just like your posts.
Stay cool out there! Well - get cool once you get back in the A/C anyhow.
Es preciosa, por aquí las he visto blancas. Un abrazo.
Lucky sighting! Would love to see one of these person-to-bird but alas they don't hang out in my neck of the woods.
What a wonderful bird. Kind of looks like the colors of the flamingo. I love these pictures, Diane. There's nothing like a pink bird. Their bills are funny, but must be handy when searching for food. You took some lovely photos.
~Sheri
...wow, pretty in pink! Do you remember the movie? Be well and have a wonderful week.
i am so happy for you!! so happy you got out and even more happy that you were able to see your favorite bird!!
they are beautiful...and so unique!! we have been out a few times but the humidity has been terrible. we went out late yesterday to see some sand creations, works of art!! i am so glad i got to see them...i will be sharing the pictures next week!!
you do very well with flight images!!
Such a beautiful bird, great captures.
Awesome nature shots of your favorites ~ indeed a fascinating bird ~ so colorful too ~ thanks,
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
How thrilling to see one and then to actually see one in flight. I have been lazy lately so haven't been out & about too much.
An incredible bird...so unique.
Happy weekend!
I can see why she is a favorite -- she is absolutely dazzling and your photos are wonderful!
I can see why shes a favorite -- she's absolutely beautiful -- and your photos are simply wonderful.
Beautiful captures all!
Your excitement for the Roseate Spoonbill shines through! Beautiful shots!
What an interesting bird. he certainly is prettier aloft with those pink-feathered wings. He could have been a good extra in the Barbie movie.
Your post on the Spoonbill is interesting. I snapped pictures of them last year when Gary and I were on an airboat ride (Wild Bill's, I think). I chose the best of my pictures to use it on the header on my FaceBook page.
As for hiking outside this summer, nope. Just early morning bike rides, before the heat becomes too much.
The Roseate Spoonbill is fabulous, love it.
I'm not sure that I have ever seen a roseate spoonbill except in photos. They are beautiful!!
We certainly have none of those around here. We will see the occasional Great Blue Heron but even those are a rarity in our neck of the woods.
Over here we occasionally see Common Spoonbill, but never the Roseate. I can see why you love them so much Diane with their pinky colours. I guess they are like flamingos too, birds that gain their pink colour from eating crustaceans like shrimps?
Wow, how unique! I would love to see one, but not sure I will ever make it to the gulf to do so. Today is the first day in a long while that it is actually nice weather, and here I am sitting on the computer! HA HA
WOW.... I can see why you love them, they are amazing and beautiful!! And pink is my second favorite color what a fun color for a bird.
What a cool bird! I can see why it's a favorite of yours. Lucky you to see one in the wild!
Spectacular pictures of the spoonbill in flight!
Love these pretty birds. I used to see them at Fort DeSoto, a Pinellas County State Park, like 10 years ago. Wonder if those habitats are still around for them birds?
No wonder this bird fascinates you, dear Diane. The bright color alone, then the "spoony" beak, and it's not an everyday sight, but something very special. I'm happy for you that you saw it. I've only seen the Roseate Spoonbill through photos.
Big hugs and all the best from Austria!
Traude
🌼❤️🌼
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2023/08/romerstadt-carnuntum-und-die-tiere-von.html
I can see why The Roseate Spoonbill is your most favourite Florida bird!
Lovely photographs.
All the best Jan
Despite living in Florida all fall and winter( South on the beach), I have never seen a Roseate Spoonbill . It is quite a magnificient looking bird especially in flight. I will be visiting our cousins this winter on the Gulf Coast and will probably go to Sanibel area. I'll be looking for this beautiful bird!! Thanks for sharing.
This bird is rare seen, I believe. I don`t know him.
Wonderful. Thank you again for sharing, dear Diane it`a great pleasure. Happy that you being part of
MosaicMonday
Wish you a wonderful weekend, hugs by Heidrun
I can see why it's your favorite. What a beauty, and what a thrill to see!
Summer is the perfect time to get away to the Coast -- no matter which ocean you're on ))) I sure didn't see any Roseate Spoonbills on our trip to the Pacific though. (I usually do get a few good sightings while we're in Florida though, so I can wait !)
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