I do love the summer clouds of Florida.

During our trip to Sanibel Island last week, we also drove through J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge one evening, to compare it with our morning sightings.

The Roseate Spoonbills were actively feeding.

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.

Also actively feeding: a Reddish Egret!

Audubon, Reddish Egret…

A conspicuously long-legged, long-necked wader of coastal regions, more tied to salt water than any of our other herons or egrets. Often draws attention by its feeding behavior: running through shallows with long strides, staggering sideways, leaping in air, raising one or both wings, and abruptly stabbing at fish.

I really got into the Reddish Egrets on this trip. They are the rarest herons in North America and Sanibel is one place you can see them.

Along for the ride again, the dawg.

Incidentally, here is one of the dog-friendly things we liked about Sanibel. And it was so hot the whole time that we all needed to drink a lot of water and stay hydrated.

Reddish Egret looks a little funny head-on.

Families were also visiting the refuge in the evening, in search of snook. These folks were also watching a manatee.

We spotted three Reddish Egrets in three different locations, all looking for dinner. All were pretty far away so the photos aren’t great, just good enough.

Really unique coloring.

One wing.

Feathers on the head and neck look sort of shaggy at times.

Common Grackle nomming the tree berries.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron.