Well, this is my third post from a mid-March afternoon visit to Orlando Wetlands Park. I’m officially addicted to the new boardwalk! After enjoying the Big Stick Competition and laughing at the “Honey, I’m Home!” Roseate Spoonbill nest, there was still so much to see at the wetlands. Let’s see if I can get through a whole post without including another Roseate Spoonbill.

My first birds of the afternoon were actually not the most popular. I came across these two vultures on the side of the path. They were preening each other very gently. Something tells me they will be building a nest soon.

I took the long way to the boardwalk to see if my favorite cooperative hawks were around. They weren’t, but I came across some other familiar faces. Remember the Sandhill Crane colts from last week? Well, babies sure grow quickly!

Knowing that these birds have had a little too much love, I took a quick photo and moved on. But it was good to see the family doing well.

It was hot that afternoon. This White Ibis decided to take a bath. It was fun to watch him splashing around and showing off his breeding-colored beak!

I made it over to the boardwalk, where I promptly became mesmerized by Roseate Spoonbills. But there were plenty of non-pink-colored birds that distracted me, too. Like this pair of Little Blue Herons who worked hard to build their nest, then started to fill it…

Tricolored Herons were flying around like crazy that afternoon. They were a challenge because they’d dart out, fly close to the bushes, and disappear quickly. But sometimes you get lucky and catch two of them flying together in front of the pretty green tree background.

Wild Irises are starting to pop up everywhere in the marsh. They are so pretty. I added a high-key effect to this one because it makes me think of springtime and Easter.

My last shot of the day was–yep, you guessed it, I can’t do a whole post without including at least one Roseate Spoonbill. This one made me laugh because he kept doing weird twists as he flew. Here he stretches his wings as he comes in for a landing. A great end to a great visit!