Caution – Spoony porn below. Excessive pinkness going on. Proceed at your own risk!
I stop at the alligator exhibit and see two spoonbills sitting together in the short palm trees. I don’t think anything of it but hope that a future nest would be great. I didn’t want to get too excited. Two years ago a couple nested here but last year they did not. I walked around the area for a few minutes and then was about to head back to the see the baby elephant when the below started to happen.
Is it???? Yes, it is!!! Spoonbills mating. I started snapping away. No one else noticed. They were all too busy looking at the sleeping alligators below.
Yes, I know, I’m intruding on their bedroom. But they were doing in right in the middle of the zoo. They could have found some nice quiet woods anywhere else.
It was over in a flash. Or at least 20 snaps.
You’re thinking “It’s over. He’s outta there.”
He flew down to the ground close by and picked up a stick. Not just any ole stick. This was his third stick he picked up. He was finding just the right one.
He flew into the tree with his stick.
And flew over to her and presented her with the stick. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is. No diamonds, no candy. Just a stick.
She’s like “Gimmi the stick all ready.”
He gives here the stick.
She takes it and puts in the crook of the palm tree. After this they settled down and looked like they were ready for a nap.
Sometimes timing is everything. I had about two hours to kill two Sunday mornings ago so I headed to the Lowry Park zoo which is close by to see the baby elephant again. When I first got there the baby elephant was way in the back of the exhibit playing behind a bunch of logs. I decided to do a quick lap of the zoo and see if any wild birds were hanging around the alligator exhibit yet. Wild egrets and herons nest there in the spring. They build nests in the big oak and palm trees around the exhibit. There were already a lot of great egrets sitting on nests high up in the oak trees. I saw the two spoonbills sitting together on a short palm tree and thought “Wouldn’t it be great if they nested here again like they did two years ago.” I was just about to walk away to head back to the elephants when I saw the flash of pink flying.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Check out more sky pictures at 
sweet romance.
Lovey series!
Oh wow! These are amazing! Love the spoonies! Lucky you to get the opportunity to see and photograph these wonderful pink birds!
A great serie of photos, perfect for the theme!
Great birds.
Sydney – City and Suburbs
Dina, great series. I guess they did not mind you being a witness. Happy Skywatching!
Oh my gush this is the most romantic scene I have ever seen today. Love it!
Kim,USA
They’re really in the pink!
Very beautiful photos for SWF!Great colour pink!Thank you for it and have a nice weekend!
My SWF is here : http://mausbearsnaehkiste.blogspot.com
wow!!!!! wonderful photos!!!! and u are so lucky to have been a witness to that!!!
What beautiful testimony of avian love! Wondrous images and story.
The images in the post below are heartbreaking and comforting at the same time, seeing as there are people who take active care of these wounded birds.
Thank you for sharing these stories with us,
Happy Sky Watch
Merisi
Great shots! I enjoy your blog very much!
Timing is everything, Dina. This is a terrific series of photos. I particularly like your last shot. Gotta love spoonie love!
Wonderful documentary of the mating process. Love the stick presentation! Hope they nest successfully! Superb quality images as usual!
Absolutely wonderful! I watch a pair of egrets up in Maine and he brings a large stick to the nest and THEN mates.
Oh my gosh Dina — I love these birds and I’m in awe that you captured the “moment.” Wow. I’m really glad you told the story of how you happened on to it…a reminder to keep my eyes open for the not-so-obvious opportunity. This series is way better than what you planned to get (IMHO ;>)….. and I’ve will put the Zoo on my ever-growing list.
Dina I just love these birds and am in absolute awe that you captured the “moment” so beautifully! Fabulous. I’m glad you told the story of how you happened to catch them. A good reminder to keep my eyes open for the not-so-obvious photo op. This series is way better than anything anyone could have planned to get (IMHO). And that Zoo definitely goes on my ever-growing list!