Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Ring Around The Roseates

What can I say? I'm running out of clever titles. *groan*

The roseate spoonbill is one of the more animated birds I've encountered on my birding adventures. They are difficult to photograph because they're constantly in motion and nest far away. These were taken at Rip's Rookery near Jefferson Island, an hour-and-a-half south of Baton Rouge.






Someone's falling down on the bathroom cleaning duties!
On yesterday's post a few people asked about the metal band on the indigo bunting's leg. Here is a link to the bird banding program at our local nature center if you'd like to know more. Sometimes I forget that not all people visiting my blog are birders. Sorry for that, and I have since amended the post. Also, I like to answer questions personally by email since it's not likely you'll come back here to get your answer; however, some of you don't have an email address enabled in your profile. Thank you for your comments AND questions! I love both!

41 comments:

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Gail, Louisiana really must be a bird lover's paradise. The roseate spoonbill is very beautiful. I love the flamingo-like color. And I thought your title was quite clever indeed :)

Hootin Anni said...

What stupendous roseates Gail. And I love your clever post title by the way.

Y'know, I have never seen these in trees ---I think I mentioned that before. In fact, in my area, there ARE no trees. lol

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

great shots

fantastic subjects

Bas. said...

Gail wat is dit mooi zo lijken ze veel mooier dan in het water.

Bas. said...

Gail wat is dit mooi zo lijken ze veel mooier dan in het water.

Irma said...

These are great photos of the Roseate Spoonbill.
Very well done, Gail.
Greetings Irma

Anvilcloud said...

From fantastic blue in the previous post to beautiful pink in this one.

Slamdunk said...

I'd be awestruck to see them in the wild--beautiful. Ha, and I think your title was very creative.

TexWisGirl said...

just awesome shots of these beauties in the trees! (i have ring-around-the-rosy referenced in my post today, too.) :)

Karen said...

Absolutely fabulous!! I love these birds.

Linda said...

These birds are brilliant, and your photos have captured them perfectly, Gail. I have always loved Roseate spoonbills, but have never seen one in real life. (I live in Montreal)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos. Now I know not every pink bird is a Flamingo.

Anonymous said...

GORGEOUS! I saw one of these flying as I made my way to Lafayette the other day. Had no idea what it was at the time...but the pink color soaring about against the blue sky definitely caught my eye.

hootnonny said...

I agree with Cobi!

Hilary said...

You have the brilliant birds.. and the best photos. These guys are goofy and lovely at the same time.

Unknown said...

What amazing birds they are! Wow.... Love them and all their pinkness!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Such a beautiful (and brilliant) couple!

The Cranky said...

I think the nearer one in the first one is saying "All ya gotta do is dance, like this!"
You know I always love your 'rosey' photos, and these are brilliant. Have a posey! Sorry, I just had to go there...

Shug said...

A perfect name for this bird!! Have never noticed the spoonbill before! Aren't they just so pretty? I agree...Louisiana is a bird watchers paradise....

I'll be traveling to your great state in a few weeks...Not sure where I'm going yet, but following hubby to a pecan growers meeting!!
hugs to you

Ruth Hiebert said...

Beautiful images. To me these birds look like giant pink flowers in the trees.

eileeninmd said...

Cute title! The Spoonbills are cool birds, I love their pretty color.. Great shots!

Beate said...

You got some really awesome shots there of those amazing birds! :) Did you climb up the trees for these? It certainly looks like it! All your bird pictures are gorgeous! I want to see those birds for real now :) I think I could just sit there and watch them for hours.

Karen said...

What a magnificent bird, you are so lucky to see it in person. Terrific photos too. Have a lovely week.

Willow said...

The hue of their feathers is so gorgeous !
Your photos are great ~ thanks so much for sharing these guys !

Brian King said...

Gorgeous photos! It's funny to see such large, ungainly birds in a tree!

DeniseinVA said...

Those spoonbills are gorgeous but I didn't see them as colorful on my trip south. I am wondering if like a lot of birds they become more vivid during mating season. They certainly are wonderful birds and these are fantastic photos once again.

Debbie said...

these are especially gorgeous gail and i think your title rocks!!

thanks for the information on the banding program, i did not realize that!!

Carola Bartz said...

How absolutely extraordinary! I would love to see these birds in real life. Fantastic!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i gave up on fun titles. sometimes when i am writing them, it will suddenly pop into my head. but others i just go with what is easiest or simple. makes my brain hurt. ( :

gorgeous colors on that birdie. wow-weeeeee!!

Ida said...

Oh my gosh these are amazing. I would (pee my pants with excitement) if I spotted one of these. Thank you for sharing these awesome photos.

Melissa said...

Wow, are they colorful! I think you caught them in lots of good poses too.

Inspired By June said...

These really are amazing, Gail! They are quite animated & comical, aren't they. If your photos are any indication, they must be a JOY to watch - thank you for sharing!

Evelyn S. said...


They look as if they belong on a different planet...or in a different millennium, maybe! So odd...that spoonbill. But I do love that rosy color!

Starla said...

PINK and not flamingos!! I so enjoyed catching up with your photos this evening!! I absolutely love the brightness of the Indigo buntings and the bright yellow parents feeding their young!!

And the beads!! I want to add beads to a fence now!!

orchid0324 said...

Wow, at one glance of the pictures I also thought it might be flamingo p;) Oh My!!! amazed with the spoon-shaped bill as its name says!!!
I really enjoyed the magnificent pictures of "roseate spoonbill" which has sweet color of pink I've never known♡♡♡

Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

Roan said...

They are beautiful birds. It seems odd to see them in trees. One would expect to see them near the water.

Suzan said...

Ahhhhh - the spoonbills are fun to watch! all the retention ponds we have at home with cypress trees growing along the banks have the spoonbills!! LOVE their color.
You caught some awesome shots Gail!! Always a delight to view your photos!!

Unknown said...

WOW!! Once again I am in AWWWW of your photos. So amazing my friend.

Have I told you how much I love my stop here.. :)

Hugs~

Pantherka said...

They're beautiful, nice photos.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Even though I've now seen quite a few Roseates and even taken quite few (not nearly this good) pictures, their color still makes me gasp in wonder. (As do your pictures). Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Don't they just want to make you party?