To northern eyes tired with dreary colors and wintry whites and greys, the sighting of a Roseate Spoonbill all resplendent in its pink feathers is such a welcome visual treat in Florida. The bare greenish head and broad flattened bill that it swishes around underwater or through shallow mud looking for small fish and crustaceans recalls some prehistoric creature. Ugly bill or not, their beautiful plumage made them a target of hunters and in the early twentieth century they almost died out. Fortunately for all of us, their numbers have rebounded. The main threat now is diminishing habitat as more and more human development encroaches on their breeding areas in Southwest Florida freshwater estuaries and mangroves.
One memorable January morning at low-tide, hundreds of birds swooped into our mangrove-lined Little Sarasota Bay for a feeding frenzy. There were White and Brown Pelicans, Cormorants, Mergansers, Herons and among these wonderful birds, a pair of unmistakable pink Roseate Spoonbills. To see them on home turf is extra special!
At Myakka River State Park, one of Florida’s largest and most diverse natural areas, one can come across a large flock. I saw 30 or more and they were hanging out with the alligators! Well, near three or four alligators.
This short post is dedicated to my friend Carrie Sampson. Enjoy the pink!
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