Royal Spoonbills in Flight

We had a very busy day today, but as the sun was starting it’s decent in the sky we found the time to head over to Pauatahanui in search of kingfishers again. This is something we will be doing until I get the shot I want of a kingfisher in flight. I got very close to achieving it today but they were just too far away to be of any quality. However while I sit waiting for the kingfishers there is always something going on at the inlet.

The tide was way out there were swans in the distance on the water’s edge. Plenty of seagulls flying about and splashing around in the water. A couple of white-faced herons were scratching about in the mud looking for crabs, and of course the kingfishers were flitting about in the distance. What caught my eye though, was the Royal Spoonbills as they flew into the inlet.

They flew in on mass and then settled straight into feeding. It is almost like they are following a regimented routine. They have their camera radar fully engaged and stay a safe distance away from all and any photographers, but today they didn't quite stay far enough away. I managed a few quick shots before they disappeared into the distance along with the swans and geese.