Sometimes we are lucky enough to encounter beauty in the world around us when we least expect it. One recent morning, while I was busy looking down instead of up, the Roseate Spoonbill featured above (and below) in this post just appeared out of nowhere! Suddenly someone called out, “Oh, look, a Roseate Spoonbill!”, and I was fortunate to snap a few shots quickly as he passed overhead and flew off into the distance. 
Both the Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology refer to the Roseate Spoonbill as a ‘bizarre’ wading bird. True, they are curious-looking, but I much prefer to think of our strikingly pink Spoonbill as “flamboyant”, as described in the detailed Birds of America Online!! Once hunted for their magnificent plumage, the Spoonbill is a large wading bird, with a huge 50″ wingspan. It forages in shallow water, sweeping its large, spatula-shaped bill side-to-side until the bill snaps closed upon contact with small fish or other aquatic prey. 
A tiny fraction of the size of the Spoonbill, our endearing little Warblers and other small birds are returning in greater numbers every week. A few days before the Spoonbill and I crossed paths, I heard this diminutive bird above chirping in the trees. So small and so fast, they have always been very difficult for me to photograph – I was sure that I would lose track of him as he flitted from one branch to another. But he eventually emerged from the woods and hopped along among the marsh reeds. I managed to capture him in the shadows before he took off again, but alas…. I’m still not sure what he is…..?? 
Though some encounters are unexpected, other birds are truly ‘regulars’, and they joyfully make their presence known nearly all year round. I always feel uplifted when I hear the unmistakable loud trill of the Red-winged Blackbird, as he flaunts his brilliant red shoulder patches, singing out with all his heart. For those who sometimes encounter harder-to-identify birds by their sounds, check out the wonderful online resource at All About Birds called All About Birds Songs and Calls!
Birder's Journey 
Oh wow! Those are outstanding flight shots of my favorite pink bird!
Good job!
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Thanks so much!
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Sometimes we are lucky – I totally agree. I saw a Roseate Spoonbill in Costa Rica earlier this year and was a bit disappointed as I’d expected to love it, but think our white Royal Spoonbill looks better. Maybe it’s just what I’m used too! I’d love to see a Red-winged Blackbird like that though.
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Thanks for your visit, Sonja! Guess I always figured Red-winged Blackbirds are found everywhere!! They really are a delight to hear, too.
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We only have the introduced Common Blackbird from Britain in Australia, none of the American ones.
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Lovely photos-great capture of the Roseate Spoonbill.
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Thank you!! Looking forward to your book reviews.
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Thank you.
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Your photos are terrific. It’s lucky you were alerted to the spoonbill. I, too, revel in the melodies of the red-winged blackbird. 🙂
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Thank you, Jet!
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I only see the spoonbill in the Buffalo zoo. They never venture to the north marshes where I live. You have wonderful images of it and I agree, you were lucky to catch it in camera that fast. I also agree about those little warblers flitting from place to place. Fast little buggers. We are lucky to see them in Spring on their way to their breeding grounds, so I do get to capture them often. I like those red-winged blackbirds too even if they are common. They are animated which lots of birds pale in comparison.
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Thanks for your visit and your thoughts, Donna!
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