Separate Arrivals
Last night we had three young spoonbills show up in the salt marsh but they each arrived separately. You can see how the light changed as each spoonie flew in. When the first one arrived the lighting had a typical early evening look, less harsh than afternoon but still a bit cool. When the second one showed up the sun had gone down more and was beginning to pick up some evening warmth. By the time the last one arrived it was just prior to sunset with the setting sunlight really warming the entire scene with a golden glow.
After arriving, the trio posed for a quick group portrait, then got right down to the business of feeding! At this point the sun had mostly gone down giving the marsh a cooler look with a more blue color temperature. The three spoonies were now in shadow but you can see how the last bit of setting sunlight was still reflecting some red and gold off of the water.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Loooooove. Such great work, Phil!
Thanks much, I appreciate it greatly. 🙂
Your work is so amazing. We are going to be in Hilton Head tomorrow for a week. Hope we can find shots like these. Love you work.
Thank you for the very kind comments Robert. I do hope you find some terrific subjects while in HH.
The three spoonies are looking really enchanting on the second to last photo! Great shots again, dear Phil! ▲
I am very happy you like our goofy trio that showed up last night. Thanks!
Arrivate separatamente e tu hai fatto ottimi scatti ogni volta 🙂
Ciao, Pat
Vi ringrazio per le tue parole molto gentili!
Too cute!! They are adorable!
They really are too cute! That’s why I can’t help but take yet more photos of them whenever I have the chance! 🙂
Understand completely!!
I went out again this morning when I heard there were four around, I just had too. 😀
Love the light and the different colours of each arrival at the sushi restaurant, Phil. These are such fabulous birds. Great pics again. 🙂
I believe shrimp was the Special again last but you really can’t blame them.
You know how it is once you discover a favorite dish, you keep coming back for more of it. 😀
Thanks for looking Sylvia.
Love those birds! Really nice photos, Phil.
They are big, fun, goofy birds and I enjoy watching and photographing them.
Thanks Deb!
I love the spoonies (and text color you use!). The changing background light is absolutely gorgeous. Fabulous pics, as always!
Well I knew you would like the text as well as the pink goofballs. You also know I just can not help but take yet more photos of them whenever I have the opportunity. Glad you enjoyed these pics!
Love these great shots of the Spoonies, excellent work Phil.
Thanks Jan, glad you liked seeing spoonies.
I envy your action shots! Great series!
I appreciate that and happy you enjoyed them!
Very nice shots Phil. Love the light in that third one especially.
Thank you for looking and commenting I appreciate it.
I hope you didn’t have too much trouble herding them into the group photo!! Wonderful shots all around.
That’s one of my biggest challenges out there, trying to get the wildlife to take direction. I always know what I want them to do but do they always comply? They do not. Thanks!
I’m wondering if the different backgrounds didn’t add to the different look in the first three shots, too? Regardless… they’re all brilliant. I’m with Lyle: hope the group shot wasn’t too challenging.
Yes they came in from different directions but all ended up in the same spot. It keeps me on my toes I can tell you.
That group was no more trouble then usual… 🙂
Oh so pretty…! GREAT capture.
I appreciate your kind words, thanks!
Such glorious light you get there, Phil! The difference between the shots is so noticeable – what was the time-frame?
The lighting was rather interesting Maggie for sure. It was about an hour from the first arrival to the final group shots.
That’s pure magic in your camera, Phil!
I appreciate that very much, thank you!
You’re welcome, Phil. 🙂
😀
It is cool to see how wonderfully synchronised the three of them are in the last photo 🙂 The third one with the sunlit golden background catches my eye most 🙂
I managed to get them in a moment of group cooperation. Doesn’t always happen just like that as you can imagine. Thanks Paula! 🙂
Fantastic Shots Phil!
I greatly appreciate you checking these out Adrian, thanks much!
simply magnifiques… these awesome birds are called in French: spatules rosées… 🙂 my very best and friendly greetings from Toulouse, France! Have a great weekend, cheers! 🙂 Mélanie
“Spatules Rosées” I love that! And… I’m going to remember that and start using it around the marsh! 🙂
Greetings from the sunny coast of South Carolina USA.
Merci beaucoup de votre visite et j’apprécie énormément vos aimables paroles.
Great progression in the lighting, and thus the feeling, of the photographs for me. It’s almost like they needed to set immediately to work, before the critters disappeared….
Thanks a million for your very kind comments and glad you enjoyed these spoonbill photos. These guys got right to work on the tiny glass shrimp they like so much, and they were at it well into the evening even as it got quite dark.
Awesome spoonbill images, Phil!