Shades of Pink

A bit messy...slopping seagrass on that spoonbill, but nevertheless, those shades of pink are very pretty!  Spotted this roseate spoonbill Monday evening on Sarasota Bay -- a fun and unusual sighting in the summertime.  Typically, the roseate spoonbills have migrated north by this time of year.  Whatever the season, it's always a thrill to see one!

Pretty in Pink

Pretty in pink. 

And, with that reflection...twice as nice! 

Roseate spoonbill spotted recently in rural Sarasota County.

Pink Party Crasher

Overheard: "So typical of the roseate spoonbill  -- arrives late to the party wearing a stunning shade of pink.  And, I'm stuck in this pedestrian tuxedo!" 

Spoonful of Love

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  No, I'm not talking about Christmas (yet).  It's bird migration season!  We photographers who flock toward feathery creatures for photo opps are loving it.  Already, I've spotted some migratory birds including lots of beautiful roseate spoonbills.  I love these guys!  How could you not...with the splash of pink on their feathers…their bloodshot eyes…those rounded beaks…and those long, skinny red legs?!   All in all, the spoonbills are a nice colorful addition to the area right now.  I spotted several flocks at Myakka State Park over the weekend.  According to my 'Birds of Florida' field guide, roseate spoonbills live year round throughout coastal Florida.  But, from what I've seen over the years, they definitely migrate to Sarasota when the temperature starts to drop in the northern part of the state.  We're expecting lows in the 40s by mid-week.  Bundle up, birdies!

Crane Convention

For amateur ornithologists, such as yours truly, winter in Florida is fun.  It's migratory season, and I never know what I'm going to see with so many feathered creatures flocking south.  It's common to see sandhill cranes here year round.  Usually, they're alone or with a mate.  In the winter, I've seen as many as 5-6 flying together, which is an impressive sight with their 7-foot wingspan.  But, last weekend, as the sun was setting at Myakka State Park, three dozen sandhill cranes filled the sky as they flapped and honked toward the birdwalk and prairie.  What a sight!

It was really exciting because I've never seen so many sandhill cranes flying at once.  Plus, quite honestly, until that moment I had never seen much bird life at the birdwalk.  As they dipped past the visitors and landed, they announced their arrival:  honk!  honk!  (They're quite loud.)

After awhile, another dozen arrived followed by several white pelicans with a few roseate spoonbills drafting.  (Who knew the spoonbills and white pelicans were on such friendly terms?!)  They all peacefully wandered the prairie nibbling on dinner in the beautiful golden sunlight.  Remember the prairie photo I posted earlier this week?  All those sandhill cranes and other birds are 'hiding' in the vegetation.  It was a very successful birding excursion.

Battle of the Beaks

That's a wood stork in the back with the long sharp beak, and a roseate spoonbill in the front the long curved beak.  I spotted them fishing at the celery fields in Sarasota County.  I wonder which beak is more conducive for catching dinner.

Roseate Spoonbill

One of my favorite birds in Sarasota is the roseate spoonbill.    Maybe it's the goofy looking beak, the white-pink feathers, or those bright red eyes...but I think they're really cool.  I don't see them as often as I'd like, so when I do it's a treat.  I spotted this guy hanging out with some other spoonbills at the celery fields. 

Birder's Paradise

                                  

I had to run an errand on the other side of town and encountered this wonderful amalgamation of feathered creatures -- roseate spoonbills, mallard ducks and cattle egrets -- all hanging out together at a retention pond.  I just love those spoonbills!   What a great sight -- and one of the many reasons why I live in SRQ.