I have an affection for all blackbirds. The red winged blackbird with his scarlet epaulettes is especially snazzy in the spring.
This was my first encounter, almost up close, to a roseate spoonbill. The feathers are a flaming scarlet and softer pink. Its bill is spatulate and the bird swings it side to side to feed in shallow water.
In the late 19th Century this charming little bird was heavily hunted because if one of its fellows was shot the rest of the flock would hover over it and look. Thankfully hunting of this species is now outlawed.
