It’s so easy to focus on the beautiful Roseate Spoonbills while visiting Orlando Wetlands these days. But the other birds are getting jealous – they are pretty cool, too!

This pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers hopped up into a dead palm tree. I think they were considering a nest in one of the cavities. Together they made their way to the top of the tree. Their motions could best be described as the birdie Hokey Pokey. Till one of them flew off!

The Anhingas are starting to get into their breeding plumage. I love that bright blue eye. Springtime brings out the spiffiness in even the most common birds.

The Starlings serenaded the photographers who were all focused on the Roseate Spoonbill colony. This bird’s feathers glistened in the sunshine that morning. I love the iridescent rainbow on his chest.

This little Green Heron was on the lookout for his breakfast. He crouched silently in the shallow muck, watching and waiting. When a small fish dared to move, he pounced!

This Limpkin could be heard from all over the wetlands as he screeched his hellos. Did you know that the call of the Limpkin inspired the sound of Buckbeak the Hippogriff in the third Harry Potter movie?

As I made my way back to the boardwalk, I had to stop and say hi to this Palm Warbler. He stood on the railing to greet all visitors and show off his emerging yellow colors. The image captures his curious expression but not his never-ending tail bob.

This beautiful Purple Gallinule was stalking his breakfast. I got down low to capture his curious expression as he stopped to watch me. He promised he would clean off his feet later.

There are several Black-crowned Night Herons nesting near the boardwalk. I enjoyed the opportunity to do some flight shots as the clouds gave way to sunlight, backlighting the tips of his feathers.

The Great Blue Herons were on a nest with several youngsters. They were pretty big but not easy to photograph. The adults would fly back and forth to bring in nesting material. Look at the blue on his face – that’s part of his breeding plumage.

Speaking of breeding colors, look at this Great Egret and his spiffy green lores! He’s all ready to find a mate and build a nest. He told me that he’s enjoying the calm before the storm, because once the cute babies hatch, they will nag him like crazy.

Here’s a flight shots of another Great Egret, also in breeding colors. I love the detail you can capture with flight shots and backlighting on a cloudy morning.

Our last bird of the day was one of the most common, and yet one that I love to photograph. This is Red-winged Blackbird. He sat perched in the reeds, singing his heart out. I love photographing them as they puff up their chests, throw back their heads, and let out a call that echoes through the wetlands. “Spring is here! Come out and enjoy!” That’s great advice. We should do that!