They’re Back!

Well…technically I don’t believe it is our previous pink visitors who have returned, I suspect these two juvenile spoonbills that appeared in the salt marsh yesterday afternoon were new arrivals and not part of the group of five we had last week.

These two appeared to be somewhat older then the other two youngsters from last week. Comparing photos of each it seems that this pair from yesterday are developing some facial and head colorations that last week’s younger ones did not have. Although these two still have yet to develop the adult red colored eye, their age in general appears a bit more advanced then the juvies from last week.

The last time I saw any of our first spoonies was the one I photographed in the heavy rain Tuesday. We still hope those original spoonbills return at some point but in the meantime we were quite pleased to see this pair out feeding in the salt marsh along with their wood stork and ibis buddies yesterday!

48 thoughts on “They’re Back!”

pixelspielerei on July 7, 2013 at 1:39 pm said:

On the first photo … can it be that the left spoonbill kisses the right spoonbill the feets? Hello? What’s going on there? 😳

Very nice pictures, dear Phil, like allways. ▲

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- Phil Lanoue on July 7, 2013 at 2:03 pm said:
  
  I don’t know what goes on with those two! 😕 🙂
  I am so happy you enjoy the photos!
  
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The Wanderlust Gene on July 7, 2013 at 2:37 pm said:

They really are handsome birds! Where have they flown up from, Phil?

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- Phil Lanoue on July 7, 2013 at 3:05 pm said:
  
  They sure are colorful and you gotta love that pink! More then likely they come up from Florida or the Texas Gulf area.
  
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  - The Wanderlust Gene on July 7, 2013 at 3:39 pm said:
    
    Showy, that’s for sure 🙂
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on July 8, 2013 at 5:19 pm said:
      
      You can’t miss them.
      
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Gunta on July 7, 2013 at 3:08 pm said:

You are lucky, indeed, to have these youngsters showing up. Here’s hoping for more of these lovely, colorful birds to visit your swamp. (For us to enjoy through your great images.)

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- Phil Lanoue on July 7, 2013 at 3:29 pm said:
  
  We were quite happy when these two youngsters showed up yesterday. We had not seen any from that first group since Tue. and we were concerned we might not see any for a while.
  Thanks so much Gunta, I’m very happy you enjoy the spoonbill photos!
  
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adinparadise on July 7, 2013 at 3:23 pm said:

What a great selection of subjects you have for your photo shoots, Phil. I imagine you’re at the swamp from dawn till dusk. 🙂 Fantastic pics again.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 7, 2013 at 3:33 pm said:
  
  We are fortunate that we get a variety of wildlife to observe and photograph, it does keep us coming back for more.
  I don’t spend quite that much time there but some of those alligators are starting to look maybe juuuuust a bit too familier!. 😀
  Thanks for checking these out Sylvia and glad you like ’em!
  
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Sue on July 7, 2013 at 3:29 pm said:

Such a gorgeous pink color (the birds, not the text, that is!)

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- Phil Lanoue on July 7, 2013 at 3:35 pm said:
  
  They are quite colorful and that pink really makes them stand out. It almost seems like a color that should not naturally occur in nature but it sure does! I think the pink text might stand out just a bit too. 🙂
  
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Steve Gingold on July 7, 2013 at 5:14 pm said:

I think they are hangin’ with the storks so they will be prettier, Phil. I really like your flight shots.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 8, 2013 at 5:20 pm said:
  
  Almost every bird is prettier then the wood storks heh heh. 🙂 Glad you liked those flights Steve!
  
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Maggie Davey on July 7, 2013 at 5:38 pm said:

I love the reflections in the first ones, the shots of those beautifully coloured wings in flight in the last ones, in fact, I love them all! Just the sight of these gorgeous birds makes me smile! Thank you, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 8, 2013 at 5:21 pm said:
  
  They always make us smile whenever when see even one Maggie. Something about a big goofy pink bird you just have to love. 🙂
  
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lylekrahn on July 7, 2013 at 6:36 pm said:

Beautiful. Perhaps you need to start a graph on the side bar keeping track of pink days.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 8, 2013 at 5:24 pm said:
  
  Thanks, glad you liked these.
  I did spend a lot of time working on a complex algorithm to predict when we would be most likely to see the pink birds considering all possible variables. I tried it out yesterday. I saw zero spoonbills. 😕 🙂
  
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Deb W. Trotter on July 7, 2013 at 6:46 pm said:

Yay! I’m glad we get to see more pink. 🙂 Beautiful photos, Phil, as always!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 8, 2013 at 5:24 pm said:
  
  So glad you like these Deb, but once again, that could be it for now. Saw none yesterday or today. 😦
  
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Amy on July 7, 2013 at 9:11 pm said:

Glad they are back 🙂 The last one is an amazing capture! Thanks, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 8, 2013 at 5:25 pm said:
  
  They were back but now they are gone again. Did not see any yesterday or today. Well I am glad you enjoyed these photos though Amy!
  
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Andrew on July 7, 2013 at 9:36 pm said:

Love the flight shots. So elegant.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 8, 2013 at 5:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Andrew I’m happy you enjoyed them!
  
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bayphotosbydonna on July 7, 2013 at 10:23 pm said:

Amazing captures of color not usually seen on a bird. Your photos are stunning! I’m thoroughly enjoying these delightful spoonies, wish we had them around the Chesapeake Bay!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 9, 2013 at 10:56 am said:
  
  Well I’m very happy to hear you enjoy seeing the spoonbills and like the photos, thanks!
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on July 7, 2013 at 11:02 pm said:

I love these pink birds and all your photos of them. They look great in flight.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 9, 2013 at 10:56 am said:
  
  I appreciate that very much thanks!
  
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meyer23 on July 8, 2013 at 3:56 am said:

Again fantastic pics. The fourth is my favorite. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on July 9, 2013 at 10:56 am said:
  
  Thank you I’m glad you like the spoonies!
  
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janmasyn on July 8, 2013 at 4:06 am said:

Great shots Phil, the 2 BIF’s are fantastic.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 9, 2013 at 10:57 am said:
  
  Thanks very much Jan glad you like the BIF shots.
  
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Mike Powell on July 8, 2013 at 6:16 am said:

Glad to see that you are in the pink again (do people still use that expression?). Your shots continue to astound and amaze me as you provide us with a daily fix of images that are incredible in both a technical and artistic sense.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 9, 2013 at 10:57 am said:
  
  Thanks a million Mike I’m happy you enjoy seeing these pink guys. Sadly looks like they have once again flown the coop, have not seen any since Sat.
  
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Kitt Crescendo on July 8, 2013 at 4:10 pm said:

Love how fun and pink they are! Gorgeous, especially when they soar. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on July 9, 2013 at 10:58 am said:
  
  Fun and pink! That’s exactly right! Thanks for checking these out!
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on July 8, 2013 at 4:57 pm said:

These spoonbill photos are becoming my favorite – especially since you are using the pink text again!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 9, 2013 at 10:59 am said:
  
  If you got pink birds you gotta have pink text. Glad you enjoy seeing the pink goofballs!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on July 8, 2013 at 9:12 pm said:

Incredible captures Phil. Such stunning colors. Wonder what the stork was thinking. Think he was a bit jealous of the beautifully pink spoonbill?

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- Phil Lanoue on July 9, 2013 at 11:00 am said:
  
  I’m glad you liked these photos Emily and I don’t know about those wood storks. They certainly have a face only a mother could love but they always seem so stoic it’s hard to figure them out. 🙂
  
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niasunset on July 9, 2013 at 10:11 am said:

how nice you watch them, they are so beautiful, flying pinks! Thanks and Love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on July 9, 2013 at 11:01 am said:
  
  I am very happy you like the flying pink Nia! Thank you!
  
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beverlyshelby on July 9, 2013 at 7:01 pm said:

I love pink 🙂 Beautiful.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 10, 2013 at 5:07 pm said:
  
  Pink is fun for sure! Thanks, glad you liked these photos!
  
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TheForagingPhotographer on July 12, 2013 at 5:40 pm said:

They’re such fabulous birds – comical somehow. Wonderful photos as always!

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Vibeke Henriette on July 14, 2013 at 6:52 am said:

Absolutely fascinating 🙂 (and so very pink :)…)

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Fergiemoto on July 14, 2013 at 12:05 pm said:

Cool! The last two flight shots are stunning!

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