Roseate Spoonbill and American Avocets at Merritt Island NWR, FL

This was the best year for Roseate Spoonbills at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge during the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival in many years. I remember last year, wondering if I was going to get any decent Spoonbill pics before the week was over…they were that scarce and always far away. And in fact, I did not get any particularly memorable pics. This year there were high numbers of Spoonbills, and they were feeding close to Blackpoint Wildlife Drive and to the Wildbirds Trail off the drive. I mean, really close. I like the contrast here between the Spoonbill and the smaller American Avocets. Of course the Spoonbill is in full breeding plumage and the Avocets are in winter plumage. That increases the contrast. The late afternoon light was lovey on the birds as well.

Nikon P900 at 2000mm equivalent field of view. 1/500th @ ISO 125 @ f6.5. Processed in Lightroom.