I made these photos last week while watching several cooperative and close Roseate Spoonbills posing in nice morning light.
Pretty in pink
I’d left my car in the large parking area on the south west corner of Black Point Wildlife Drive (stop 4) and was walking south along the trail toward the observation decks.
Morning stretch
The Spoonbills were in a small opening on the right hand side of the trail almost all the way to the second deck. They were in among a group of birds that included Wood Storks and Ibis. When I first saw them, they were in the shade cast from the mangroves along the path. On my return walk, the sun was high enough to light up that area.
Red, white, and blue
The birds were busy and ignored me as they went about their morning business. With such pretty light coming over my shoulder, all I had to do is wait for an isolated moment, frame them, and click the shutter. Sometimes things come together.
And sometimes they don’t.
I was out there that morning scouting for a Cinnamon Teal that both Jim Boland and Kevin McKinney have found and photographed recently. You can see Kevin’s very nice image on Flickr here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/44542650@N08/50688544146/in/dateposted/
Cinnamon Teal’s are a rarity in Central Florida and would be a life bird for me. Apparently this one’s been a winter visitor at that spot for the last few years. I couldn’t find it but I spoke with someone that’d seen it that morning. It likes to hang out on the east side of the trail, in among many other ducks. A morning photo into the sun might be a challenge so I think I’ll try again one afternoon.
There are lots of birds along Black Point Wildlife Drive right now. If you’ve been waiting to visit there, go ahead and go – it’s a good time. Even if you don’t spot the Cinnamon Teal, there are other things to see and photograph.
Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog.Take care of yourselves and each other. And if you can – make some photos – even if you don’t spot what you’re searching for.
©2020, Ed Rosack. All rights reserved
Simply superb photographs, Ed! The right light certainly makes a difference, especially when it involves large, colorful Spoonbills. Very nice!
I walked by that Cinnamon Teal last year, as he was tucked in to the canal bank out of sight. I heard a splash, turned around and he was taking a bath about three feet away! Had to wait for him to swim out a bit as he was too close to focus. Wildlife – unpredictable!
Thanks Wally.
I’m glad you got to see it. I plan to try again this week. In the afternoon this time.
Ed