A Golden Glimpse of Pink Amidst the Storm: Roseate Spoonbill Cover Image

The first day (April 8) of the second Florida Workshop certainly threw us a curveball! Mother Nature decided to put on a dramatic show: It rained, the wind howled, and the sky crackled with thunder and lightning. Not exactly ideal conditions for Osprey photography from an open, aluminum pontoon boat in a lake!

Undeterred, we pivoted and made our way to the Roseate Spoonbill rookery, hoping for a break in the weather. As they say, patience is a virtue, especially for wildlife photographers. For a good portion of our time there, the skies remained stubbornly grey, the air thick with humidity.

But then the clouds parted. A glorious golden light bathed the scene for just a few fleeting moments: The kind of light that transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary, painting the lush green foliage in warm hues and illuminating the delicate pink of the Roseate Spoonbills.

And that's when Mother Nature offered her prize – a reward for those who had braved the weather and remained vigilant. In that brief window of golden light, the rookery came alive. It was a breathtaking spectacle, a reminder that even amidst the harshest conditions, beauty can emerge if you are simply present and ready to witness it.

This image, captured during that precious interlude, serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the unexpected gifts that nature can bestow. It wasn't the day we had initially envisioned, but it was truly memorable, filled with the raw energy of a storm and the delicate beauty of the Spoonbills bathed in golden light. Sometimes, the most rewarding moments are the ones you least expect.

Roseate Spoonbill landing in Dramatic First Light (Platalea ajaja, Spatule rosée, Espátula rosada, ROSP). Image made April 4, 2025, while scouting for my Ospreys of Florida Workshop. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens @400mm ISO 3,200, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Less is More: Finding Freedom with only the Sony a9 III and 400-800mm in Florida

I am live and buzzing in the Florida sunshine, ready for the start of my Ospreys Galore Workshop tomorrow! I just landed yesterday, and this morning, I was out before the sun rose and the dew fully lifted. And let me tell you, the light? Absolutely glorious. The wind? Just a whisper, and in the perfect direction. And the subjects? Spectacular roseate spoonbills. Pink perfection against the early morning glow.

Roseate Spoonbill landing in spectacular first light (Platalea ajaja, Spatule rosée, Espátula rosada, ROSP). Image made April 4, 2025, while scouting for my Ospreys of Florida Workshop. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens @400mm ISO 4,000, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image

I made a rather deliberate choice for this trip: JUST the revolutionary Sony a9 III and the brand-spankin'-new Sony FE 400–800 mm F6.3–8 G OSS. Just one incredible camera body and one incredible zoom lens. And after this morning’s session, any lingering doubt I might have had has completely vanished.

Getting here was a breeze, literally. Travelling with a single, lightweight, small camera bag (an 18-litre bag with room to spare) felt unbelievably liberating. No more juggling multiple cases, no more strategic repacking in airport security. It was a refreshing reminder that less truly can be more, even before you click the shutter.

But this morning… this morning was the real confirmation. Those spoonbills, with their vibrant plumage and elegant movements, were simply breathtaking. And having the reach and versatility of that 400-800mm lens allowed me to capture them in ways I could only have dreamed of with a more restrictive setup. Whether I was framing a tight portrait of their unique bill or capturing a closer scene of them landing directly toward me, the camera and lens delivered. And the a9 III’s speed and responsiveness? It’s like the camera anticipates the action.

There’s a certain joy in simplifying your tools. You become more attuned to your surroundings and more focused on the moment. You’re not fumbling through a bag of lenses, second-guessing your choices. You’re present, you’re ready, and you’re making the most of the gear you have.

Seeing those spoonbills in that perfect light, knowing I had the right tool for the job, was pure magic. This single-lens approach isn’t a limitation; it’s a focused freedom. And after such a spectacular start, I’m even more excited to see what the rest of my Florida adventure holds. Stay tuned!

Roseate Spoonbill pretty in Pink

A Roseate Spoonbill lands directly in front of me during my recent Ospreys Galore Workshop (and so much more) in Florida.

One of the most spectacularly beautiful large wading birds is the roseate spoonbill, a resident of the Gulf Coast from east Texas to southern Florida. Named for its bright pink plumage and long, flat, spoon-shaped bill, the bird feeds in a manner all its own. It swings its extremely sensitive bill from side to side in shallow water, snapping it shut on small fish, shrimp, and insects that it detects by touch.

Like other members of the ibis family, roseate spoonbills are usually found in flocks. The birds nest in colonies among shrubs and mangroves, often sharing island rookeries with herons, egrets, and other waders. Spoonbills fly in long lines at dusk, their slender necks extended as they head to their roosts.

Roseate Spoonbill landing in spectacular light (Platalea ajaja, Spatule rosée, ROSP) from my OSPREYS GALORE WORKSHOP at Stick Marsh in Fellsmere, Florida ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @600mm. ISO 1,600, f/4 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.Full frame image.