Several weeks ago while I was walking at the Preserve on the lookout for something interesting and unusual, a birder with the requisite long-lensed camera hurried up and asked me if I’d seen the spoonbill. I had to tell him no, but instant spoonbill-spotting envy struck. Unfortunately I didn’t see hide nor hair of one . Maybe beak and feathers would be a better phrase.
Today I reversed my usual path and although it was a lovely, cool morning, I didn’t see anything exciting until I stopped at one of the little open areas along one of the lakes where I often see egrets, which by now are usual. I did see an egret…and then by golly, a roseate spoonbill! And I was the only photographer in the area. 🙂 Oh, yeah!
Spoonbills, related to the ibis, like to hang out with other waterbirds at the edges of wetlands, exactly where this one was. Someone surmised that perhaps the recent hurricanes blew the spoonbill in. I have no idea, but I do know why they’re called spoonbills and when you look closely, you’ll know too. Spotting one made my day. Add to that the joy of being able to tell a number of other photographers where to find the spoonbill and you’ll know how happy I was.
But the day wasn’t over yet, although it is for this post.
This, that and the other thing 
I know just how excited you felt. A couple of weeks ago I spotted two at a local wetlands, unfortunately I didn’t have my camera so had to use my phone, the photos really didn’t capture them well. The ones I saw were plain white but thrilling to see all the same.
Your shots are great.
Although there are quite a few water and other birds at the Preserve, I doubt I’ll see many spoonbills, so this was quite exciting. The information says that pelicans might be seen during migration, so that would be quite exciting as well.
Pelicans are more common here, I think the Spoonbills were the first I’ve ever seen out of a zoo.
How lucky you were to see the Spoonbill. Great capture. Nice of the other photographers to be out of sight so you could do your thing.
🙂 It was fun to have it to myself for just a bit and then be able to share the good news.
Wow – amazing shot and reflection. I’ve never seen one except on Wandering Dawgs so this makes a second place. Thank you, Janet.
I’ve never seen one live before, so that was exciting. I’ve never even heard of Wandering Dawgs which I’m guessing is a TV show? Glad I could share another one with you. One of my blogging friends in Florida has lots of photos of them, so I was happy to see one.
Wandering Dawgs is a blog. They use to RV a lot and attend Georgia Bulldog football games. They’re a little closer to home now, but you’d appreciate her photography skills.
Wow! I’ve never seen one of those. I love the photo, especially the blurred reflection in the ripples.
I took a lot of photos of both this and the osprey, Dan, but I especially like the open bill of this one. Even my little telephoto took a pretty decent shot.
Beautiful 💚
Thanks! I was thrilled.
janet
I would be too!
The spoonbills are so elusive and so beautiful.
It’s certainly the first one for me, Cheryl, but of course I haven’t lived where they’re usually found. I do love the Preserve and I’m learning a lot more about birds!
ha! Great unexpected find! Did you do a quiet happy dance after making your shots?
That I did, Madison with a great big smile on my face!!
Congratulations, Janet! Star find!
Great photos.
Many thanks, Tom. It was a marvelous morning, that’s for sure.
Wonderful story and photos!
Thanks, Rebecca. It was a wonderful way to start the day and in the time of Covid, something exciting and different isn’t always easy to find. 🙂
Nature pulls us through!
What a great find Janet! Stunning photo!
Thanks, Aletta. It was pretty exciting as you can tell from my story. 🙂
Nature surprises us in the most unexpected ways and at the most unexpected times.
Especially in a relatively new place. We’ve only been here for just over six months, so I’m still finding out how a year unrolls.
janet
It’s nice to watch the unveiling of nature, especially in some new place. Enjoy. 🙂
Ooh… how beautiful and special!
Thanks, Amy. A definite yes to both those. Quite exciting. 🙂
Wow. A wonderful find; a great photo and the joy of sharing with other photographers (and us).
Double sharing is twice as much fun. 🙂 I was happy that most of the photos turned out well even from that distance, as I have a normal telephoto, not a huge birding one. And I loved that the bill was wide open in this one.
What a beauty! I’ve never seen anything like it. The only pink birds I’ve ever known are flamingos… Perhaps they’re related?
From what I can find, they’re not related although they look similar. Spoonbills are related to ibises.
How wonderful for you, Janet. Great photos too. You really got that spoonbill perfectly. 👏🏻😍
When spoonbills mate, do they spoon? 🙂 It was a joyful sighting, I can assure you.
The Spoonbill looks as surprised to see you! Someone should tell him it’s not polite to stand with your mouth open like that…
He was far enough away that he probably wasn’t paying any attention to me. 🙂 Leaving your mouth open is NOT a good look (but it was great for this photo.)
I’ve never seen a spoonbill! What an experience that must have been, whether you’re a birder or not. Nature is a strange force.
I’m a sort-of birder because there are so many birds at the Preserve. But you’re right, it would have been a great experience anyway. 🙂
We’re fans too! Don’t have the roseate here but the white is a lovely thing to watch. 🙂 🙂
I imagine you have quite a few. We have lots of egrets, mostly snowy but also great and other herons of various types, but not a regular group (or even one) spoonbill.
Really great, Janet. Those are the cutest!
Definitely not your ordinary bill, is it? 🙂
Lol.. no, but it is sooo cute!
[…] I shared the excitement of seeing my first roseate spoonbill at the Preserve. Those in charge put out a map (I still don’t know which lake is which […]