We had the pleasure of visiting Orlando Wetlands again two weeks ago. Always one of my absolute favorite places!
There’s so much to see there at this time of year, and I’m sure I’ll post other photos soon. But I just couldn’t resist starting with the Roseate Spoonbills.
The Spoonbills were very actively flying back-and-forth throughout the morning, attracting lots of attention from admiring photographers!
The Roseate Spoonbill was hunted almost to extinction for its striking pink feathers during the plume trade in the late 1800s. But it is no longer endangered, thanks in part to the 1918 US Migratory Bird Treaty Act. (American Bird Conservancy).
Unfortunately, habitat loss and pollution are taking a toll on the Roseate Spoonbill population, just as they are on many of our Florida wading birds.
This brief video above surprised me when I watched it 😉. Apparently the mode switched to slow motion a few seconds in!!
Birder's Journey 
The Roseate spoonbill is a fascinating story of resilience and survival. A most beautiful bird.
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You are so right, on both accounts, Berny!
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I love the third photo, where the wing feathers look diaphonous — how can they let a bird that big fly!
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They are truly spectacular in flight, aren’t they, Amy?!
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Beautiful Spoonies BJ ! We never see this species. Your slowmo movie clip was really lovely. Great captures my friend 😊
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I’m so happy you enjoyed them, AB! The slow motion clip was really a treat for me to discover, as I didn’t even realize it was recording in slow motion!☺️
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What a blessing BJ !
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What a treat! Never knew the history!
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They are a treat!🩷 Thank goodness they have protections!
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Wonderfully captured colors of these beauties!
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They are remarkable, aren’t they! It was quite a spectacle, watching them all flying back-and-forth!
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Wonderful spoons!
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Thank you for your visit! Glad you like them.
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Just spent time there a few days ago. Spoonies settled in and the Egrets giving them grief. always a good place to spend time.
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I love it too. It’s a 2 1/2 hour trip for us, but always worth hours of birding!!
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Takes us a good part of a day. We usually rent a house and spend a week visiting various spots. We try to go a few times each winter/spring when the rookeries here are just starting.
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Great idea – worth the travel!! We have so many other excellent Florida birding spots in that area, including Viera Wetlands, Circle B Bar Reserve, Lake Apopka, and Merritt Island. I think you and Ellen have mentioned going to most of these. We usually do a couple of places on each trip and stay for one overnight.
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Circle B Bar is still on the to do list. We were just saying how we have a set routine each year, we need to change things a little. There is something to be said for knowing where to stay, favorite restaurants etc.
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Really amazing photos! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you so much for your visit and for your nice comment! Glad you enjoyed them.
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Wonderful photography as always! I love the two photos with the outstretched wings – really impressive birds. The slow motion in the video works well to emphasise the grace of the bird’s flight.
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I so appreciate your visit, Ann! Yes, these large pink birds are quite beautiful to watch, especially in flight.
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WOW! Gorgeous.
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The Roseate Spoonbills are one of our most striking birds! Thank you, Cindy.
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Great captures of these beauties, Carol!
Orlando Wetlands is a true success story, and just so fascinating even without the birds. Being able to watch the Spoonies from that newer boardwalk is a real treat.
I was interested to see when we were there two weeks ago that there is finally construction work happening on their new program center building.
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Absolutely, Ellen! I can’t get over what a beautiful experience now it is to see all the action from the beautiful new boardwalk! And every time I go, I think the new building is actually going to be open😉. One of my top two or three favorite birding places ever.
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It really is something. The first time we were there, before the boardwalk, we walked way to the back and around to the right. Pretty, but we didn’t see that much. I walked one of the shorter loops by the big mound this time but have never done the whole thing. Why, with so much right there!
Maybe next time it will be!
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great pictures
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Thanks!
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