Why am I chest deep in water with my camera? I was on the quest for the perfect spoonbill shot! There I was—waders on, camera equipment precariously balanced, standing chest-deep in Tampa Bay’s warm waters. Why would any reasonable photographer put themselves and thousands of dollars of gear at risk this way? For the chance to photograph one of Florida’s most magnificent birds: the Roseate Spoonbill.

An Unconventional Photography Adventure

Our small group arrived by boat at the Tampa Bay Spoonbill Rookery, a protected sanctuary where direct land access is prohibited to minimize disturbance to these sensitive birds. The alternative? Don waders, carefully climb out of the boat, and position yourself in the shallow waters with your tripod.

The sensation of stepping into the water while cradling expensive camera equipment requires a special kind of trust in your balance and equipment handling skills. One misstep could mean disaster for your gear—but the potential images were worth the risk!

All six photographers in our group ventured in, positioning ourselves at nearly water level for a unique perspective on these magnificent birds. We had one heart-stopping moment when a member of our group began sinking into the sandy bottom. I rushed over to help stabilize her, creating a precarious balancing act of supporting her while protecting both our cameras. With assistance from another group member, we managed to resolve the situation without any equipment casualties!

The Magnificent Roseate Spoonbill

These stunning flamingo-pink birds are truly spectacular subjects for wildlife photography. Found primarily along South Florida’s coast from the Florida Keys to Tampa—with additional populations in Northeastern Florida, Louisiana, and along Texas’s eastern coast down to Mexico—Roseate Spoonbills are protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and listed as a state-designated Threatened Species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.

Historically hunted for their gorgeous feathers, these birds now enjoy legal protection, allowing their populations to recover—though habitat loss remains a serious concern.

The size of these birds is impressive, with wingspans reaching approximately 4.5 feet. Their most distinctive feature, of course, is the specialized spoon-shaped bill that gives them their name. This uniquely shaped tool allows them to sweep through shallow waters, capturing meals of crayfish, shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fascinatingly, their iconic pink coloration actually comes from pigments in the crustaceans they consume.

Fascinating Spoonbill Facts

The Roseate Spoonbill is just one of six spoonbill species worldwide and the only one found in the United States. Perhaps most surprising is that spoonbill chicks aren’t born with their namesake feature—their bills begin flattening around 9 days old, develop a slight spoon shape by day 16, and reach full size by 39 days. These babies have the most delightful name: “Teaspoons”! Though I didn’t observe any during my visit, I can only imagine their cuteness.

With an average lifespan of approximately 10 years, Roseate Spoonbills have an interesting approach to relationships—unlike many birds that mate for life, they practice seasonal monogamy, courting different partners each breeding season.

It’s encouraging to know that both Audubon Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are actively working on wetland restoration and habitat preservation initiatives to protect these remarkable birds for future generations.

Worth Every Challenging Moment

Standing in those waters, camera poised and focused on these magnificent pink creatures, I experienced a connection to wildlife photography that transcended the physical discomfort and risk. The opportunity to photograph these birds from such an intimate perspective created images and memories that will last a lifetime.

Have you encountered Roseate Spoonbills in the wild? Are you curious about photographing birds in challenging environments? Drop your questions in the comments below—I’d love to share more about this extraordinary experience!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​