Before the plume trade and South Florida's drainage for development, the Roseate Spoonbill was one of many bird species that dominated the skies and mangrove islands of Florida Bay. As flows to the Everglades were reduced by canal operations, Spoonbill populations suffered. Sensitive to small changes in their habitat, Audubon scientists established the Roseate Spoonbill as an indicator of the Florida Bay ecosystem. Everglades restoration efforts underway must increase volumes of freshwater flow to Florida Bay so the historic Spoonbill populations will return.

This video was produced by the Tavernier Science Center and Audubon of Florida and funded by a grant from Disney. All of the footage you see was taken in and around the southern Everglades and Florida Bay since my arrival in November of 2009.

To hear more about our conservation efforts in Florida Bay and the Everglades please visit: restorefloridabay.com

Equipment:
Canon 7D
Canon 10-22mm
Canon 18-200mm
Canon 24-105mm
Canon 100-400mm