Roseate spoonbill print

Limited-edition, Roseate spoonbill print by John James Audubon.

Limited to 200 editions.
Printed on acid and lignin-free archival paper for an almost perfect match to the original finish.
The print is debossed, numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Image description as it appears in the book

Platalea ajaja, Linn. Plate CCCXXI. Adult male. Original plate size: 89.5 x 65 cm.

The old birds pass through their spring moult early in March, after which they are truly beautiful, presenting the appearance which I have attempted to represent in the plate before you.

The sight of a flock of fifteen or twenty of these full-dressed birds is extremely pleasing to the student of nature, should he conceal himself from their view, for then he may observe their movements and manners to advantage.

Now, they all stand with their wings widely extended to receive the sun?s rays, or perhaps to court the cooling breeze, or they enjoy either seated on their tarsi. Again, they all stalk about with graceful steps along the margin of the muddy pool, or wade in the shallows in search of food.

After a while they rise simultaneously on wing, and gradually ascend in a spiral manner to a great height, where you see them crossing each other in a thousand ways, like so many Vultures or Ibises.

At length, tired of this pastime, or perhaps urged by hunger, they return to their feeding grounds in a zigzag course, and plunge through the air, as if displaying their powers of flight before you.

These birds fly with their necks stretched forward to their full length, and their legs and feet extended behind, moving otherwise in the manner of Herons, or with easy flappings, until about to alight, when they sail with expanded wings, passing once or twice over the spot, and then gently coming to the ground, on which they run a few steps.