In search of the roseate spoonbill

Roseate spoonbills are the perfect Valentine's Day bird: pink, glamorous, big. I went in search of them yesterday. The island was socked in with fog, which made my trip across the shipping lane by ferry a dramatic one. (If you like, you can see these photos at a larger size by clicking on one, which will open a slide show.)

 

 

The guidebooks promised abundant birds on the Bolivar peninsula at low tide, and they were more than right.

 

 

This gorgeous pair was in the shallows, looking for breakfast. If I'm reading my quick-and-dirty bird guide correctly, they are avocets, but all my identifications will be iffy. Love those turned-up beaks!

 

 

This wonderful chap may be my new favorite: a black-necked stilt.

 

 

But no spoonbills. On to further adventures at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, where coots abounded and ibises had the right-of-way.

 

 

 

There were big flocks of snow geese . . .

 

 

 . . . beautiful ducks which I've learned are northern shovelers . . .

 

. . . and a bunch of something dramatically black and white. I have no idea what.

 

 

But alas, you guessed it. No roseate spoonbills. I found the place where we'd photographed them on our trip two years ago, but there wasn't a bird in sight. Which means only one thing: the quest continues. Stay tuned!