The Last Of The Season…?

I thought it might be fun to post a few more photos from last week’s all too short appearance of a pair of Roseate Spoonbills!

These beautiful, unusual, and often entertaining birds are a rare treat for us so we try to capture as much of their visit as possible when the opportunity is present.

The pair stayed mostly together feeding in the salt marsh by sweeping their large spoon shaped bills rapidly through the water in search of food.

Small fish, shrimp and various marine crustaceans are on the menu as was an eel which we saw one of them pluck out and eat.

After considerable feeding, a bit of preening would take place then they would generally fly off to investigate a different area of the marsh.

We always attempt to get flight shots as the birds move about and often the last flight shot of the evening is the last we will see of the spoonie until (hopefully) next time!

36 thoughts on “The Last Of The Season…?”

jimini2001 on September 10, 2012 at 11:42 am said:

These birds are just beautiful Phil. Great shots you have shared too. Wonderful work. They sort of look like a cross between a flamingo and a platypus in an elegant sort of way.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 10, 2012 at 11:57 am said:
  
  Hey thanks very much for looking and for your kind comments!
  That’s an excellent description of these birds, I’m going to remember that one! 🙂
  
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tootlepedal on September 10, 2012 at 12:46 pm said:

What fine pictures of lovely birds.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 10, 2012 at 12:59 pm said:
  
  I appreciate you looking and commenting, thanks.
  
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Molly Argo on September 10, 2012 at 3:53 pm said:

I never get tired of seeing these beautiful birds! Especially the way you capture them in all their glory! These are all great shots of a spectacular bird!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 10, 2012 at 6:31 pm said:
  
  I’m glad you enjoy seeing these birds Molly! And I appreciate you checking out the photos!
  I am always thrilled when we get one or two for even a brief visit.
  
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mike585 on September 10, 2012 at 4:20 pm said:

Wonderful images, Phil. I might be entering my pink phase shortly. I’m still in my yellow phase at the moment, but it’s only a matter of time. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on September 10, 2012 at 6:33 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million Mike and oh yeah, you have to have a pink phase at some point soon. 🙂
  Yellow is looking good for you now though for sure!
  
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Gareth Rasberry on September 10, 2012 at 4:54 pm said:

Excellent, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 10, 2012 at 6:31 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Gareth glad you liked ’em!
  
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Laurie MacBride, Eye on Environment on September 10, 2012 at 6:50 pm said:

What oddly improbable – and yet beautiful – birds these are! Great photos.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 10, 2012 at 8:17 pm said:
  
  I appreciate you looking and your description of these birds is spot on!
  Thanks Laurie
  
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eof737 on September 10, 2012 at 9:53 pm said:

These are remarkable…and the one of that poor worm being eaten… amazing!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 10, 2012 at 10:45 pm said:
  
  Hey thanks much! Glad you liked those photos! We think it caught an eel. Yikes!
  
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  - eof737 on September 10, 2012 at 11:23 pm said:
    
    An eel! Yikes is right. 😉
    
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Jennifer on September 11, 2012 at 10:35 am said:

Gorgeous! These are my favorite birds.Maybe someday I’ll get down there in person, but for now I’ll live vicariously thru you.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 11, 2012 at 12:18 pm said:
  
  Well I appreciate you looking and I know you really like these goofy spoonies! They are a fave of mine as well!
  Maybe at some you you will make your way down here. 🙂
  
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niasunset on September 14, 2012 at 12:59 pm said:

There is a big heart behind this camera and also there is a long hours and patient photographer behind the camera… This is so admirable and great shots again. Pink, wings, flights, the light and shadows, actually everything fascinated me. This is the poetry of nature world… Thank you, love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on September 14, 2012 at 1:29 pm said:
  
  Wow I am overwhelmed by your very kind comments Nia. Thank you so much for those words. These pink birds are among my favorites and I am glad you like them as well.
  
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niasunset on September 14, 2012 at 1:00 pm said:

Reblogged this on photographyofnia and commented:
Sorry, but once again I make this one reblogged…. The pink flights fascinated me.

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restlessjo on September 14, 2012 at 1:36 pm said:

That first shot lured me in (thanks to Nia, but the rest was all down to you) and I loved every one. There are some spectacular shots of these fabulous birds. thanks for sharing.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 14, 2012 at 6:21 pm said:
  
  Well I appreciate you checking out the photos and your kind comments. Thanks much to Nia as well. 🙂
  
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Jennifer Avventura on September 14, 2012 at 2:02 pm said:

This images are amazing and what a beautiful bird, thank you for sharing!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 15, 2012 at 6:42 pm said:
  
  Well thank you for taking a look and glad you enjoyed seeing these photos!
  
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viveka on September 14, 2012 at 3:06 pm said:

What beautiful bird – never seen anything like it. Your photos are magical.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 14, 2012 at 6:24 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much! I like those birds quite a bit and so glad you enjoyed seeing these photos!
  
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Herbstbaum on September 15, 2012 at 3:14 am said:

I like the shade of pink and the birds too.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 15, 2012 at 9:18 am said:
  
  Thanks very much, glad you liked those photos!
  
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Coreen on September 15, 2012 at 4:42 am said:

WOW awesome photo’s. Thank you so much for sharing.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 15, 2012 at 9:19 am said:
  
  Well I really appreciate you viewing these photos and your kind comments! 🙂
  
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theforagingphotographer on September 15, 2012 at 11:13 am said:

Fantastic shots of a quirky and beautiful bird. Are they pink for the same reason that flamingoes are pink?

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- Phil Lanoue on September 15, 2012 at 12:27 pm said:
  
  Thanks much Lucy and yes I believe for the most part they do get a lot of their pink color through their diet which includes a lot of shrimp and other marine crustaceans.
  
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Tricia Booker Photography on September 15, 2012 at 11:24 am said:

Great shots! I enjoyed “meeting” these birds through your images…love the moments you chose to showcase!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 15, 2012 at 12:28 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million Tricia! So glad you enjoyed seeing these goofy, fun spoonies!
  
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Solveig on September 29, 2012 at 3:37 am said:

I have never seen such birds before! Pink & pretty. The pictures of them in flight are amazing, you have skills!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 29, 2012 at 1:18 pm said:
  
  Well I really appreciate you looking at these photos and I’m glad you like these pink birds! They are very interesting as well as being a pretty color. Thank you for your nice comments!
  
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