By Mike Busch

The site was down last week to upgrade the servers but thanks to Jim Botta we didn’t miss a thing and have compiled two weeks’ worth of images below.

The highlight this past week was the first known sighting of a Roseate Spoonbill on Long Island!  “Gorgeous at a distance and bizarre up close is the Roseate Spoonbill. Locally common in coastal Florida, Texas, and southwest Louisiana, they are usually in small flocks, often associating with other waders. Spoonbills feed in shallow waters, walking forward slowly while they swing their heads from side to side, sifting the muck with their wide flat bills. Present all year in coastal Texas but more common in summer, with some migrating to Mexico in winter. There is thought to be some regular seasonal movement between Florida and Cuba. After breeding season, a few (mostly immatures) may stray far north and well inland.” – Audubon Field Guide.  There are apparently two birds on Long Island but only one was photographed by the group.  There has also been a sighting in upstate New York.

This is such a rarity that we dedicated the entire first page to some of the best photos taken by a few members.  To see more, visit the Long Island Wildlife Photography page.  This week’s cover goes to Jill Christina with a great image of the spoonbill in flight.

Try to check out all 12 pages below, the photography is just getting better and better!

Roseate Spoonbill – Jill Christina

Roseate Spoonbill – Steven Williams

Roseate Spoonbill & Great Egret – Frances Aliberti Sansivero

Roseate Spoonbill – Luisa Pericoli

Roseate Spoonbill – Robert Bailey

Roseate Spoonbill – Patricia Collins Sullivan

Roseate Spoonbill – Steven Williams

Roseate Spoonbill – Jill Christina

Roseate Spoonbill – Upstate NY- Sharon Dorsey

Roseate Spoonbill- Upstate NY- Sharon Dorsey

Roseate Spoonbill –  Jim Botta

Roseate Spoonbill  – Frances Alberti Sansivero

Roseate Spoonbill   – Robert Bailey

Roseate Spoonbill – Jill Christina

More Images on pages 2-12