Walking The Runway
Last night this roseate spoonbill put on a heck of a show in the salt marsh at low tide which was lit by warm setting sunlight. It suddenly decided to walk, well actually prance, out of a shallow stream of water and out toward me near the oyster beds.
The spoonie looked and acted like a fashion model doing a photo shoot on a runway, and what an extravagant display it was! As soon as I took this last photo, the show was over and the spoonbill walked right back into the water and continued feeding. I have never seen anything quite like this before!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Absolutely perfect except for the muddy feet. That’s a funny contrast actually since everything else is so clean.
Muddy feet is all the rage in Paris these days!
It is squishy out there though…I wouldn’t want to lose a hat and have to walk onto that mud to retrieve it.
Spectacular, Phil. Thanks for our daily dose of Spoonie!
Hey wow I’m glad you enjoyed today’s edition of Spoonbill News! 🙂
Gorgeous bird and photos, Phil! Love the pink reflection in the mud. Have you ever found a pink feather to collect?
It is an amazing bird Deb and along with the big alligators the spoonbills are the only wildlife I have seen that will literally stop traffic.
I did find a nice pink feather once but gave it to a girl, wish we had it but I’m sure it made the lady happy. 🙂
Lovely serie, I have never seen a pink spoonbill!
They are quite an amazing sight Hans! Thanks for looking and commenting!
You must get tired of me telling you how fantastic your images are :0 but here I go again. The sharpness is outstanding…the eyes are crystal clear.
Well I greatly appreciate the very kind words Edith and I’m thrilled you enjoy the photos!
This one is the older of the ones we have been seeing, it has the red adult eye color while the juveniles have dark eyes still.
This is quite clear: Spoony loves you and wanted to impress you! No question! 😛
Maybe he does love me because I was the only one there so it was a private show. 🙂
A private show … you see! *gg
You have to love a private show! 😀
This is scary, I’ve had exactly the same thoughts… ^^ 😀
Two to one … 😛
Thanks for checking these out!
What a show!! I have never seen this behavior either but I will be keeping my fingers crossed this year.
I was astonished to tell you the truth Molly. I could not at all come up with a reason for this behavior at all. It was if it purposely put on this amazing show, then a minute later was right back to feeding again as if nothing ever happened. Odd, but hey I’ll take it! 😀
Definitely strutting its stuff!! Lots of personality that one!! 🙂 Thanks for the show!
This one is the grumpy independent loner too, so I was surprised by this well appreciated display. He was feeding with a juvenile and did not really harass the younger bird so I guess Mr. Cranky was in a good mood last night.
What a spectacular site. The evenings color really brings out the colors in the bird
The light really helped make the scene last night. I try to take advantage of when low tide in the salt marsh coincides with early evening setting sunlight. Add in a pink bird and it all comes together nicely!
Your images are spectacular Phil. What do you shoot with?
Thanks much Robert!
I use a Canon 7D mostly with a Canon 300 and 1.4 attached.
I wish they were down here in my neck of the woods☺
Well they are a treat to see every time! So two again today.
Hey, I could use a spoonie (or two) to brighten up my coastal shots. Don’t suppose you’d send one of them over instead of the tourists? That is one fantastic show you caught! It totally seems he strutted his stuff for you. Stranger things have been known to happen…..
You have to take five tourists for every one spoonbill I send to you. 😛 😀
It was indeed quite a show!
Perhaps if you reversed the ration, otherwise no deal! 😉
I should have gone over but went to shoot the fireworks. They are all great but then again look who took them.
Thanks very much for checking these out and glad you like them!
I want one!
See? That’s how it starts. You see one and you want one, happens to everybody! 😀
I think they think you are just one of the gang since you are there so often. I know it works that way with backyard birds. They give me some amazing expressions and I know it is like they are ‘telling’ me something. Performing for the camera is what she had in mind. Like I said, you are just one of the flock, except you are not pink.
Well the alligator in today’s post may have recognized me because he came over to say hello, but didn’t stay long.
I try to blend in and just be one of the flock, but usually don’t wear pink. 😀
What a gooey runway.
They don’t use the word “gooey” in the world of high fashion. Agglutinative is preferred. Or even possibly Mucilaginous 🙂
Love the series. Love the muddy legs. Despite his parading, he can’t get away from that! 😉 Is it me, or does he seem to actually be looking at you some of the time?
Oh I think he was looking at me for sure. Probably thought my nose looked big. 🙂
Very elegant posture! 🙂 🙂
Oh quite elegant! 🙂
Oh my goodness Phil ! The lighting on this is nothing short of spectacular. You are truly an amazing wildlife/bird photographer.
I appreciate that very much Emily, thanks!
Nice strutting action. Beautiful color!
He really was strutting his stuff, it went on for several seconds which astonished me.
The spoonie does look like a fashion model… on a runway. So glad you captured the show!
I’m happy I was there to capture it and I’m happy you enjoyed the photos Amy!
What a great capture…love the position of the wings!
Thanks much for your kind words!
You’re welcome!
Beautiful work, Phil! Nice meeting you and Roger tonight! Hope you both got your shot! 🙂
Thanks very much Nicole I greatly appreciate your visit here and your kind words about the photos!
The catwalk is dead. Long live the spoonywalk!
Spoonywalk sounds great! But what do we call it when Mr. A is strolling along in the mud?! 😕 😀
Those are some very special photos. The spoonbill is one of my favorite birds.
Thanks very much Jeff, so glad you liked these!
Wonderful shots, great color and perfect light.
Thanks you Jan and I was fortunate to have the light on my side this evening.
He/She is making a show to you 🙂 So beautiful… Thanks and Love, nia
Thanks so much Nia, I’m very happy you like these spoonbill photos!
Stunning, just stunning ! ( So is the bird ).
I really appreciate the kind words, thanks much!
Wow! these are gorgeous and so unusual!
It was unusual to see this bird going on like that for that long. Lots of fun though too!
Magnificent wings, colour, details 🙂 WOW!
Hey thanks Paula! So glad you enjoyed these!
such intense colour – gorgeous
That early evening setting sunlight really does a nice job on pink for sure.
“America’s Next Top Model,” here she comes! 😀 Wonderful shots, Phil.
With this one’s attitude I believe she believes she has already won for sure! Thanks Sylvia!
Love this model – her muddy feet look like over the knee fashion boots!
That look is currently all the rage in Paris from what I understand.
Amazing! You were certainly in the right place at the right time. Wonderful photos.
Thanks so much for checking these out and glad you enjoyed them!
Oh, those colours! Was it trying to stir up the food, do you think?