The 2026 dates for the Tampa Bay Spoonbills Rookery Tour will be Feb 14-15 and Feb 28-Mar 1. Half the spots are already taken!! Send me an email to book your spot => steven@stevenbirdphotography.com
ISO 1000 | f/4 | 1/3200 sec. | Manual mode
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with the Sony A1
First, a very likely image from the Tampa Bay Spoonbills rookery: a Spoonbill with breeding colors in flight with mangrove trees as backdrop. Note the slight tilt in the position as the bird was slightly turning to its right. A tighter turn would have lead to a full banking stance!
ISO 4000 | f/5.6 | 1/1600 sec. | Manual mode
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with 1.4x extender and the Sony A1
The Tampa Bay rookery is actually the biggest rookery in Florida and many other bird species chose this location as breeding ground. Check out this very rare White morph Reddish Egret dancing in the shallow mangrove waters. Add to that the breeding colors and you get a stunner image.
ISO 1000 | f/5.6 | 1/3200 sec. | Manual mode
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with 1.4x extender and the Sony A1
Another species well represented are the White Ibises. Not only their face turns more red, but also some of them develop a pouch under their beak. While White Ibises are often ignored by photographers, coming across such beautiful colors is a treat.
ISO 1000 | f/5.6 | 1/3200 sec. | Manual mode
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with 1.4x extender and the Sony A1
It is not uncommon to spot Royal Terns fishing around the rookery. While not a breeding ground for them, the environment is very desirable for fishing.
Black Skimmers Colony Photography Workshop – $1,190
June 7th-8th 2025 / limit 6 people – 3 open
3 shoots and 1 over-the-shoulder Photoshop tutoring => 3 shoots at the Sarasota Bay Black Skimmers colony. We shoot along the beach, where the nesting colony is easily accessible. $250 deposit. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com to book your spot.
Florida Shorebirds & Wading Birds Photography Tour – $1,090
November 8th-9th 2025 / limit 6 people – 5 open
3 shoots and 1 over-the-shoulder Photoshop tutoring => 3 shoots at Fort Desoto Park. $250 deposit. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com to book your spot.
Tampa Bay Spoonbills Rookery Photography Tour – $1,590
February 14th-15th 2026 / limit 5 people – 3 open
February 28th-March 1st 2026 / limit 5 people – 2 open
3 shoots and 1 over-the-shoulder Photoshop tutoring => 3 shoots at the Tampa Bay Spoonbills rookery. We typically shoot while wading in the water in the mornings and from the boat in the afternoon. $250 deposit. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com to book your spot.
Ospreys / Spoonbills mix Photography Tour – $1,490
April 5th-6th 2025 / limit 5 people – Full
April 26th-27th 2025 / limit 5 people – Full
3 shoots and 1 over-the-shoulder Photoshop tutoring => 1 boat-based Osprey shoots at the Vero Beach Cypress Lake + 1 shoot at the fishing jetty + 1 land-based Spoonbills shoot at a local rookery. $250 deposit. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com to book your spot.