Roseate spoonbills range east of the Andes in South America and on up through the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and as far north as the gulf coast of the United States. I’ve photographed them in Texas, Louisiana and in this case, Florida. Much like flamingos, they get their color from the foods they eat — crustaceans and other aquatic invertebrates that contain carotenoids that turn their feathers pink. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (with 1.4x teleconverter for 550mm) ISO 400, f/8 at 1/1250th of a second.
Oh how I love the roseate spoonbill! I have seen them at Ding Darling refuge in Sanibel, during a tour of the Everglades, and most exciting, right outside my windows after Hurricane Irma. This photo is beautiful but you can’t see the beak or bill from which this bird takes its name spoonbill. So unusual. So beautiful
I can tell you that there is nothing more joyfully startling than seeing something large and pink fly across the deep blue sky we get here is SW Florida. It is my understanding that their pink color becomes more vibrant as they mature. They are lovely gentle birds as they wade shallow ponds for their supper. Great catch of one in flight! (We only see them in winter, so I do wonder where they migrate in summer.)
Have recently bought a home in St Mary’s, GA where we occasionally see them flying over overhead. Have been scrolling looking for art for the living room that captures their beauty. You got a great shot!!!! Now I want it for my wall to enjoy every day!!
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Roseate spoonbills range east of the Andes in South America and on up through the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and as far north as the gulf coast of the United States. I’ve photographed them in Texas, Louisiana and in this case, Florida. Much like flamingos, they get their color from the foods they eat — crustaceans and other aquatic invertebrates that contain carotenoids that turn their feathers pink. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (with 1.4x teleconverter for 550mm) ISO 400, f/8 at 1/1250th of a second.
Oh how I love the roseate spoonbill! I have seen them at Ding Darling refuge in Sanibel, during a tour of the Everglades, and most exciting, right outside my windows after Hurricane Irma. This photo is beautiful but you can’t see the beak or bill from which this bird takes its name spoonbill. So unusual. So beautiful
The blue backdrop adds to its glory.
Thanks Donna. Love mornings like that.
Not a lot of spoonbills would feel comfortable wearing all-pink like this. This bird is really fashion forward, and I salute it.
Spoonbills are notoriously confident birds.
I think I’m jealous of this bird’s look.
I can tell you that there is nothing more joyfully startling than seeing something large and pink fly across the deep blue sky we get here is SW Florida. It is my understanding that their pink color becomes more vibrant as they mature. They are lovely gentle birds as they wade shallow ponds for their supper. Great catch of one in flight! (We only see them in winter, so I do wonder where they migrate in summer.)
One of my favorite birds always a thrill to see them as we often do in Florida
To catch them in flight is just magical
Aunt Sue
A most excellent image, Sean, of an absolutely spectacular bird. It is high on my bucket list to photograph such birds. Congrats on this photo!
Thanks Sue. They can be quite common in certain areas. This was in Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
Have recently bought a home in St Mary’s, GA where we occasionally see them flying over overhead. Have been scrolling looking for art for the living room that captures their beauty. You got a great shot!!!! Now I want it for my wall to enjoy every day!!