The Last Spoonbill?
I knew we would be getting a two day cold front moving into the area starting Tuesday night, so Tuesday afternoon we went out hoping to catch a glimpse of a spoonbill for what could very likely turn out to be the last sighting of the year. We found one far off in a back out of the way corner of the marsh pond and I grabbed a couple of documentation shots just to have for the dated files. I assumed I would have to content myself with just those file photos because there was no way I could get closer for better shots.
It was not long however before we were shocked to see the spoonie take off and start flying right at us! It did a circle glide almost directly over our heads then headed off across the marsh. It was almost as if it did a ceremonial fly by salute on it’s way further south for the winter The fifth photo here is a ‘butt shot’ and the final photo I took of not just this spoonbill but quite possibly the final spoonbill photo of 2013.
We searched Wednesday and today and did not see any spoonies at all so this could most certainly be the end of our run. If that’s the case we are all thrilled because it was the best summer ever for our pink friends since they first started arriving in the marsh area in 2009.
If I do happen to see another spoonbill in the next few days I will post photos and then have to do another “Last Spoonbill” post. 🙂
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Those are gorgeous shots of this spoonbill – and unique from underneath like that. He almost looks like he’s bidding farewell…
It was quite nice to get the overhead fly by! Perhaps he was indeed saying goodbye.
What a beauty, love the flying pink birds.
Oh well sure you gotta love a flying pink bird!
What fantastic fly by shots. It sure does look like a farewell salute for this year! They will be missed. Even Mr Cranky-pants.
Oh yes especially Mr. Cranky Pants who bailed on me early by the way. It was a nice fly by and this bird looks like it has a chunk missing from the left wing.
I hadn’t noticed the missing chunk. Perhaps we can blame it on Mr Cranky?
I think it’s a fairly safe bet to blame almost anything that goes wrong on our cranky friend.
A fitting farewell to a glorious summer of shooting. The butt shot was a nice touch.
Thanks it was a great summer with them I got a lot of enjoyment from having them around. And I knew you would appreciate the butt shot. 🙂
I bet he’ll miss you, too!
They do seem to enjoy the attention! 🙂
Gorgeous! What a farewell!!
It was a very nice farewell for sure. But…I’m still holding out hopes that one or two could still be around. Probably not though.
How cool. But I know where they went….Fort Myers FL. I’ve seen quite a few this past week.
I have been seeing reports and photos of spoonbills arriving in Florida recently so I believe you are correct about that.
Looks like I have to wait until next June for my next spoonbill fix. 🙂
Just love these birds and I never knew of them before your blog. Are they pink due to what they ingest like flamingoes?
I’m glad you like these big goofy pink birds because I really do as well. I have heard that eating a lot of shrimp adds to their pink color and I know for a fact these guys love them some shrimp! 😀
I thought so and had google it. It says the crustaceans that they eat feed on algae that gives the feathers their rosy color!
Fascinating! I want to eat something that makes me look tan : ))
Amazing pics of the last spoonbill. Love the 4th pic from right underneath. He looks so graceful with his ‘feet’ neatly crossed. I’d love to stroke those downy feathers underneath. They look so soft, but I guess he wouldn’t be very amenable to being stroked. 🙂
Many times I have wanted to wade out there into the marsh and pick one up and tuck it under my arm and walk around with it. But…I have to figure that wouldn’t work out as well in practice as it does in my imagination. 🙂
Hehehe. That conjures up such a funny picture. Phil the Spoonie Hugger. 😀
They just look so darn huggable. 🙂
Just try kissing those lips though! 😀
Simply beautiful !
Great shots , Phil !
utham
Thanks very much utham, glad you enjoyed these!
It was terrific seeing them so often at Huntington this year. This week’s cold wind probably sent them scurrying home. You got some great shots of this one leaving the area, possibly until next season.
It really was a great summer and they provided at lot of fun and enjoyment! Guess we have to wait until next June or July now.
Thanks for looking and commenting Lee I appreciate it.
Wow! They look incredible in flight. He has a firm attention to him that is very military looking. So glad you got a good-bye. Got really cold in Texas so hope they bring some warmer weather back with them. 🙂
They do have an interesting look to them when viewed from above don’t they?
We are supposed to be right back to the 70s here over the weekend, too bad they couldn’t hold out for warmer temps. 🙂
Great shots Phil.
Thanks very much Jan.
Sono favolose queste foto, sembra di poter librarsi nel cielo insieme alla spatola.
Fantastiche Phil, complimenti!!!
Ciao Pat
Grazie mille Pat. Sono molto felice ti è piaciuto queste foto! 🙂
Oh, you must! This was quite a ceremonial goodbye. Majestic bird!
It was quite the stirring goodbye for sure Paula! But…there is a tiny part of me that is holding on to a bit of hope that one could still be around for this weekend since it’s supposed to be back up in the 70sF. 🙂
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, as I am willing to see more photos of them 🙂
I am now fairly certain this was indeed the last spoonbill sighting of 2013. In fact these shots could be of the actual departure, none have been seen since that afternoon last week. So looks like I will have to wait a long 7 months until next June to see any again. Will Mr. C still be his dysfunctional self a year later?! Can’t wait to find out.
However…just so you won’t have to go through total withdrawal, I plan to post never before seen photos of our pink pals periodically throughout the winter. 🙂 I have a ton of shots in my files.
Bon voyage! May the gods keep this spoonie and all the other migrating birds safe on their journeys and bring them back next year for more of your incredible pictures, Phil!
Well there was a stiff wind coming from the north Tue. afternoon so if that’s when they left they would have practically a free ride south with not a lot of effort required. 🙂
Guess I will have to wait until next June or July for the next appearance. 😦
Oh well they were really great to have around here all summer!
WOW! What a pose in the first one, as if he says something to you 🙂 Great shots as always. Thank you dear Phil, have a nice weekend, love, nia
Thank you so much Nia, I’m very happy you enjoyed these photos! I liked that first one as well!
I have really enjoyed your photos of these magnificent birds!
I’m very happy to hear that! I really enjoyed having them around all year and look forward to next summer.
Thanks so much for your interest!
If it is the last spoonie sighting of 2013, a great last few shots! I can’t wait to see them again (and that pink text) next year. Wonder if Mr. Cranky Pants will have a better ‘tude…
I am now fairly certain this was indeed the last spoonbill sighting of 2013. In fact these shots could be of the actual departure, none have been seen since that afternoon last week. So looks like I will have to wait a long 7 months until next June to see any again. Will Mr. C still be his dysfunctional self a year later?! Can’t wait to find out.
However…just so you won’t have to go through total withdrawal, I plan to post never before seen photos of our pink pals periodically throughout the winter. 🙂 I have a ton of shots in my files.
Oh good! I would have gone through spoonie withdrawl! I am going to be anxious to see about Mr. C’s behavior next summer…