Once the Pied-bill Grebe was on his own with the crayfish he did a slow paddle…
… with his lunch just dangling.
Then he dunked it…
…maybe rinsing it
then it was down the hatch!
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
This Pied-bill Grebe seemed keenly aware of the two Coots when he surfaced with a large crayfish.
He kept circling away from them…
…and finally turned up the pedal power and swooshed away from them.
He bobbed back to the surface, continuing to swim while he hung on tight to his lunch.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
Normally quite shy and seen only as a glimpse in tall marsh grass, this Limpkin stood on the boardwalk railing while several people passed him.
He did a bit of grooming…
then a nice pose.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
I did not think this Limpkin would nail his landing, expecting him to flutter on down to the ground.
He surprised me with a shift of his weight, flap of his wings and he was back upright.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
What I really wanted was a nice picture of this Snowy Egret lined up with the Pelicans in the background.
Sometimes the terrain keeps you from getting in the right spot and you take what is available.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
February 10 2025
Here’s another series of a pair of American White Pelicans making a water landing.
Wingspan: 96.1-114.2 in (244-290 cm)
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
February 10 2025
American White Pelicans are massive birds with an amazingly graceful flight style.
There snazzy orange feet are pretty big, too.
Their landing is surprisingly quiet, gently hitting the water…
…and tucking in their wings.
Wingspan: 96.1-114.2 in (244-290 cm)
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
February 10 2025
Eventually the Black Skimmer duo came right towards me …
and amazingly the first one turned to my left…
then lifted up rather than skimming.
The second was was following behind, giving me a wonderful opportunity for a side view of the skimming action.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island, FL
February 9, 2025
Long-billed Dowitcher ID by Merlin Bird ID app
Black Skimmers are fascinating to watch as they swoop low over the water, their lower beak in the water to scoop up prey. I spotted two on the far side of a big pond on the wildlife drive, too far for a decent photograph. Then they came closer and dropped in the middle of a small flock of shore birds, something I had never seen them do.
The Dowitchers weren’t disturbed by the Skimmers’ arrival, but were having their own flap-abouts.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island, FL
February 9, 2025
Long-billed Dowitcher ID by Merlin Bird ID app
Brown Pelicans feed in the marsh inlets between Magnolia Cemetery and the Cooper River. Occasionally they land in the cemetery pond for a rest, like this one in mid December.
Then, with what looks like amazing effort he lifted off.
A couple of small foot splashes in the water…
a powerful downbeat of his wings…
… and he was away.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
December 14, 2024
