Pretty in Pink: Roseate Spoonbills
There is something special about seeing a flash of pink in the soft light of a Florida morning.
Roseate Spoonbills are among my favorite birds to photograph. They're graceful in the air, strikingly beautiful, and their colors can be spectacular in early morning light. Even after seeing and photographing them many times, I still stop and watch when a Spoonie appears.
That Remarkable Bill
Of course, the Roseate Spoonbill gets its name from its unusual spoon-shaped bill. It isn't just distinctive—it is a remarkably effective feeding tool.
Spoonbills typically feed in shallow water, sweeping their partially open bills from side to side as they walk. When the sensitive bill encounters small fish, crustaceans or other prey, it quickly snaps shut.
Watching a group feeding together can be almost as entertaining as photographing them.
Why Are Spoonbills Pink?
One of the things that makes Roseate Spoonbills so appealing to photographers is their extraordinary color.
Like flamingos, they don't simply manufacture those beautiful pink colors on their own. Pigments called carotenoids, obtained through their diet, contribute to the pink and reddish coloration of their feathers.
And those colors change dramatically as the birds mature.
Young spoonbills are much paler, with white or very light pink plumage. As they mature, the colors become increasingly intense. An adult can display shades ranging from delicate pink to brilliant rose, coral and crimson—particularly noticeable when the wings are fully extended.
Watching Them Grow
One of my favorite experiences is watching young spoonbills develop.
I've watched them stretch and exercise their wings and then begin making short test flights, often accompanied by one of their parents. Day after day, they become a little more confident until eventually they're ready to venture off on their own.
Being able to watch and photograph that progression is something special.
Photographing Spoonies in Florida
Florida offers several excellent opportunities to see and photograph Roseate Spoonbills, particularly during what I consider our prime wildlife photography season, generally December through May.
Two places where I spend considerable time looking for them are Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Orlando Wetlands Park.
For me, the best moments often come early in the morning. The light is softer and warmer, and when a spoonbill stretches its wings or takes flight, that early light can bring out an amazing range of color in its feathers.
That's what keeps me coming back.
There is always another morning, another bird—and perhaps another photograph waiting From the Field.
Bring a little of the wild home.
Explore my collection of Roseate Spoonbill fine art photography, available as museum-quality metal prints.