Roseate Spoonbills and Black Vultures Roosting

Paul Demkovich

On New Years Day 2026 we visited the Orlando Wetlands and observed 8-10 Roseate Spoonbills. The park was closing at sunset and a park ranger was shooing all the birdwatchers and photographers (two people had Hasselblad equipment!) off the boardwalk. The Roseate Spoonbills were grouping together and clearly looking for spots to roost for the night. As the sun slid lower in the sky, the spoonbill’s colors lit up as if they were on fire. It was truly spectacular!

In spite of the park ranger pushing us along, no one wanted to leave!!