Blue skies, a slight breeze, temperatures in the 60s and 70s…perfect spring weather. This time of the year is all about the birds and the bees. The later stings you and the former poop on you if you are not careful. But there are some other things going on too. A good friend and fellow photographer and I recently made a day trip to one of our nearby rookeries to visit the nesting marsh birds. Spring was definitely in the air..

One of the most graceful birds on the Broward is the Great Egret. During mating season the lore (or area around the eyes) turns green. The Egrets develop beautiful wispy white mating plume feathers on their back (those beautiful feathers almost led to their extinction). Per the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology “More than 95% of the Great Egrets in North America were killed for their plumes in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Plume-hunting was banned, for the most part, around 1910, and Great Egret populations quickly began to recover.” The rookery we visited had dozens of mating pairs busy building nests and doing what birds do during mating season. These graceful beauties and their wispy plumage made for some breathtaking photo opportunities. While I was standing under a tree close to the board walk capturing these images, a Roseate Spoonbill above me took the opportunity to “white wash” my camera and my lens. Next visit I will be more careful where I stand.

I love to share the beauty of nature and creation with you. Hope you enjoy these spring scenes. With all the negative news it is refreshing to see some springtime moments too. Note: This post is Bird R-rated for mature audiences. Blessings.

Reflections on Broward is now "Mountain Musings"

Spring is in the air......