Still Here

We went over this morning hoping the new spoonbill arrival was still in the area, and at first we couldn’t see him anywhere.

Finally, to our delight, he showed up and came flying right in to the salt marsh. It was low tide this morning, so I’m sure that appealed to the spoonie because they generally prefer feeding in the shallow water depth of the lower tide.

He walked around for a while doing some casual fishing (or quite likely shrimping) but then he spotted one of his wood stork buddies over at the far back edge of the pond and flew over to join Woody.

We thought he might spend the morning there but after an hour or so many of the wood storks flew over to the salt marsh side to do a little feeding of their own. The spoonbill faithfully followed as they like to pal around with the storks.

But spoonie did not stay long, he lifted his head up, took a look around, and jumped off flying directly across from me. Initially, he flew out toward the ocean but then did a wide overhead circle and the last I saw he was headed for the swamp which is where he likely spent the rest of his day.

Fun seeing the pink guy for a second day and nice to know he is staying around. Hopefully some of his friends show up soon.

32 thoughts on “Still Here”

Raewyn's Photos on July 21, 2015 at 4:51 pm said:

Such stunning captures of a beautiful bird

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on July 21, 2015 at 5:00 pm said:
  
  Thanks, we were so happy he was still here. Now we need his friends to arrive.
  
  Reply ↓
  - Angela on July 21, 2015 at 7:13 pm said:
    
    Yes Imagine how nice a flock of pink spoonies would be.
    
    Reply ↓
    - Phil Lanoue on July 21, 2015 at 7:41 pm said:
      
      One day last summer we had a group of 14 all feeding together at one time and one by himself.
      So 15 is the current record. 🙂
      Here’s some from around that time.
      https://phillanoue.com/2014/08/18/busy-weekend/
      
      Reply ↓
Steve Gingold on July 21, 2015 at 6:34 pm said:

You are so fortunate to have these guys as visitors to your marsh. Have never seen one up here…probably won’t.

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on July 21, 2015 at 6:45 pm said:
  
  They are great to see and will literally stop traffic if some are feeding along side the causeway.
  
  Reply ↓
anotherday2paradise on July 21, 2015 at 9:46 pm said:

So gorgeous! I wish one would come to my pond. 😕

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on July 21, 2015 at 10:14 pm said:
  
  None of his friends have showed up yet, I figured they all were in your pond. 😛
  
  Reply ↓
  - anotherday2paradise on July 21, 2015 at 10:18 pm said:
    
    No such luck. 🙂
    
    Reply ↓
    - Phil Lanoue on July 22, 2015 at 10:29 am said:
      
      We just have the standard swans, mallards, Canada geese (which I don’t like) plus the occasional egret, GBH, and wood stork visiting our back ponds. Never had a spoonbill yet although we are only minutes from the marsh and ocean areas where they do visit in summer, so maybe someday.
      BTW, you hot down there? It hit 100 in Myrtle Beach yesterday with the humidity bringing the heat index up to 112!
      It’s even too hot for the alligators, most of them are hiding.
      
      Reply ↓
      - anotherday2paradise on July 22, 2015 at 10:41 am said:
        
        Yes it’s hot here, but the house is cool. 🙂 It’s my first summer in Florida. 😕
        
        Reply ↓
        
        Phil Lanoue on July 22, 2015 at 4:38 pm said:
        
        Oh our house is plenty cool too. I’m just not going to love my electric bill. $:\$
        
        Reply ↓
Vicky on July 21, 2015 at 10:42 pm said:

Beautiful Mr Phil!

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on July 22, 2015 at 10:30 am said:
  
  Thanks Vicky! Not sure if he was around this morning no one has seen him or his friends yet.
  
  Reply ↓
foxleylady on July 22, 2015 at 4:48 am said:

Maybe the wood storks hope that some of the spoonie’s beauty might rub off on them! What a huge wingspan!

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on July 22, 2015 at 10:31 am said:
  
  Those wood storks can use all the help they can get. It’s funny how the spoonbills do like to hang around with the storks. They like the ibis too. All have funny faces so that’s something in common anyway. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
jwilce on July 22, 2015 at 9:49 am said:

These photos are so gorgeous. I’m jealous— wish I’d been there with my camera.

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on July 22, 2015 at 4:39 pm said:
  
  Thanks much for the kind words! They are fun to photograph.
  
  Reply ↓
Rolling Harbour on July 22, 2015 at 12:42 pm said:

Wonderful shots. I’ve never seen one close to. Occasionally we see single birds when bonefishing far out in the mangroves swamps, but only at a “pink blur yes that really is a spoonbill” kind of distance! RH

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on July 22, 2015 at 4:39 pm said:
  
  Well pink blurs can be cool, but it certainly is fun to see some up close. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Sarah Longes - Mirador Design on July 22, 2015 at 2:51 pm said:

He’s just great! So vibrant 🙂 Really love the shots of him in flight.

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on July 22, 2015 at 4:40 pm said:
  
  Thanks, I’m so glad you like these!
  
  Reply ↓
  - Sarah Longes - Mirador Design on July 24, 2015 at 12:21 pm said:
    
    A feast for the eye Phil!
    
    Reply ↓
The Lite Rider on July 22, 2015 at 3:39 pm said:

So glad to see him, and I hope he sticks around. I like that they socialize with the wood storks!

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on July 22, 2015 at 4:42 pm said:
  
  Sadly, I suspect he left yesterday right after he flew by me. He did two very high and wide circles around the whole area and I believe he may have been looking for pink friends. After seeing none he took off south in a high hurry.
  Maybe he will come back and bring friends. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Gunta on July 22, 2015 at 4:32 pm said:

You caught some reflections, so it’s almost like having two spoonies. Maybe? 😉

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on July 22, 2015 at 4:43 pm said:
  
  It’s sure close to having two spoonies!
  I already think he left though. I have not talked to anybody that saw him today.
  Hopefully he comes back with several friends soon though.
  
  Reply ↓
Judy Felty on July 22, 2015 at 7:49 pm said:

I love the pink ink for the Spoonies!

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on July 22, 2015 at 9:28 pm said:
  
  Ha! Fantastic! I’m glad you liked the pink text! Somehow it seemed totally appropriate. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
naturesnippets on July 22, 2015 at 8:17 pm said:

That’s how you know you’re having a good day! Enjoyed!!!

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on July 22, 2015 at 9:29 pm said:
  
  Hey thanks so much for checking these out and I’m glad you enjoyed the spoonie pics and yes it is a great day! 😀
  
  Reply ↓
Linda on July 29, 2015 at 7:25 am said:

Such magnificient pictures and the pink spoonie is so incredible, what a beautiful bird, your pictures really capture the greatness of nature…

Reply ↓