Of the various Florida wading birds we see each Winter, the most colorful by far, is the Roseate Spoonbill Crane. They get their name from their pale coral pink to bright magenta plumage and the spoon or spatulate bill.
This bird's usual haunt is the Caribbean, South America, Mexico and the Gulf Coast. We usually see one or two Spoonbills an entire Winter. This year, we are seeing an abundance of the Spoonbills. I have seen a grouping of eighteen on several occasions.
Of course, this gregarious animal is a favorite of photographers. Here are my 12 "best" images of this Winter's PGA National, Palm Beach Garden's visiting Spoonbills.
The Spoonbills, often in groups, feed on aquatic insects, newts and very small fish. With our record breaking drought over, there are more wading areas for the Spoonbills and other birds to find food.
March - June is the typical mating season for Spoonbills, here in early January, a Spoonbill is taking materials to build a nest.
The golden buff is the Spoonbill's breading plumage.
This bird's usual haunt is the Caribbean, South America, Mexico and the Gulf Coast. We usually see one or two Spoonbills an entire Winter. This year, we are seeing an abundance of the Spoonbills. I have seen a grouping of eighteen on several occasions.
Of course, this gregarious animal is a favorite of photographers. Here are my 12 "best" images of this Winter's PGA National, Palm Beach Garden's visiting Spoonbills.
March - June is the typical mating season for Spoonbills, here in early January, a Spoonbill is taking materials to build a nest.
A typical wading area where the birds find food.
Sunset and a landing Spoonbill.
jpk 1/17/2012
1 comment:
Simply spectacular!
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