I blogged last week about the Cattle Egret’s colorful transformation – here’s another look, above. This post includes a few more examples of how striking some of the other wetland birds look in March. 
This young Roseate Spoonbill is one of the all-time favorites. Although I’m not sure they are nesting in our area now, they are always a treat to see when they stop by and forage right out in the open. You can see that the one above is immature because he doesn’t yet have the dark pink feathers and black ‘headband stripe’ that mature Rosies do.
We always see the White Ibis returning to roost in great numbers as the sun goes down. But this time of year, their coloring is just brilliant, as breeding colors become apparent. The White Ibis above had the absolute reddest legs and bill that I’ve ever seen!
One might wonder how the beautiful Snowy Egret could possibly get any more elegant?! Well, now that they, too, are displaying their courting style, their usually bright yellow feet become a deep orange, and they develop vivid red lores around their eyes, and flowing, feathery plumes.
The Black-necked Stilts are back now, and will soon be courting and nesting, too. Yippee – I love these little guys! They are so fun to watch as they strut around on their very tall, bright pink legs. How DO they balance their torpedo-shaped bodies on those skinny stilts??
The water level is very low now, so this little Black-necked Stilt had no trouble finding teeny fish and other delicacies with his long pointy beak as he foraged for dinner last night at sunset.
I must create a special post soon in honor of the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks – they are everywhere these days, including as the featured photo of this post! I’m looking forward to finding their nests and watching for their fluffy little black and yellow striped ducklings later this spring.
Meantime, as I was leaving the boardwalk last night, this adorable pair looked right up at me in the dark, as if to say, “We’re going to sleep now. Have a nice night!”
Birder's Journey 
Yes, what a stunningly beautiful evening to behold such beauty as this, especially with breeding plumage coming in vogue. I look and ask are those Black-bellied Whistling Ducks for real, they almost look like a painting or cartoon drawing. Wonderfully captured pics, a blessing to behold, the beauty of the Everlasting Father never ceases to amaze. Your stilt reflection pics are like mine, you have a different kind, but as I have said in my blogs, Stilts are my favourite bird for doing reflection pics, they make such stunning contrast to the water and reflect so well..
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Thanks, AB! Yes, those Whistling Ducks are so photogenic, aren’t they!? I also love being at the birding spots when the water is just right for reflections 😉 Enjoy your day!
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I love these bird photos. The Black-necked Stilts, how cute! I love these little guys! 🙂
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So happy that you enjoyed them, Amy. Yes, the Black-necked Stilts are really a treat – hope to get more of them in the coming days.
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Thank you so much for introducing these lovely birds! 🙂
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Thanks for visiting and enjoying them with me!
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Lovely images of a rich assortment of bird life, most of which is new to me. Agree – the small wading birds are fun to watch and photograph. Often get a great reflection in the calm, shallow water, as you did in some of your shots. Thanks!
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I appreciate your comments, Nick! Thanks for sharing – have a terrific weekend.
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And a beautiful bevy of birds. I do love those stilts and those ducks. You photograph them all so well. I wish we had that variety of birds you have. I would be in heaven.
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lol :). Thank you, Donna! There isn’t a day that goes by at the wetlands that I don’t say, “This is Heaven!”
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Wow lucky you that you get to see such amazing birds and get these outstanding photos too!
You know I love that young spoonie, and the stilts with their pink legs are super fun as well!
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Thanks for your visit, Phil! You see the same families of birds that we see, I think. Always love your in-flight shots – I’ve got to work on that 🙂
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