Cuteness overload!
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
April 16, 2024
Roseate Spoonbill Chick
Tag Archives: Florida
Sandhill Cranes Preening
This pair of Sandhill Cranes nonchalantly wandered out of the marsh/tall grass to my left.
I knew they were around so wasn’t totally surprised, but didn’t expect them to just start preening on the trail.
I got a nice look at how flexible their necks are.
And that gorgeous red eye patch.
After I passed by they separated a bit, but I noticed looking back that the pair stayed pretty close together.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
December 30, 2023
Black Vultures, Cool Morning
The Black Vultures at Orlando Wetlands were warming up in the morning sun before taking to the skies.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
December 30, 2023
Reddish Egret, At Rest
A Reddish Egret, just standing around, in the grass at the edge of a mangrove.
Reddish Egrets are known for the animated way they hunt, dashing back and forth in the water.
You can see my post Reddish Egret, End of Day Feeding to see how that looks.
I’ve seen them perched on top of mangroves, but this is the first time I’d seen one hunkered down in the marsh vegetation.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 29, 2023
More Pink, Spoonbills
We spotted some Roseate Spoonbills at the start of our first trip around Black Point Wildlife Drive on our New Years trip to Florida.
This section of the marsh is often nearly dry, but higher than normal December rains had provided enough water depth for the Spoonbills to wade and forage.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 30, 2023
Tricolored Heron In Mangrove
Tricolored HeronBlack Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 29, 2023
Osprey On Palm Stump With Fish
Another Osprey was perched with his half eaten fish.
And yes, it was windy.
He was hanging on to the fish pretty tightly, balanced on his other leg leaning into the wind.
Bio Lab Road, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 31, 2023
Northern Shoveler Reflections
A female or immature Northern Shoveler was feeding on her own, with a nice reflection from my angle.
One of the dabbling ducks, Shovelers feed on aquatic invertebrates and seeds, usually sweeping their beak side to side. In deeper water they will perform the full body dunk.
They are identified by their distinctive wide bill.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
January 1, 2024
Red-shouldered Hawk on Palm
This was a day for raptors, including this Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a weather-beaten palm tree.
He sat still when I got out of the car…
But took off when another vehicle passed. He did not fly in the direction I was ready for, coming much closer than I anticipated. The composition of this image is not at all pleasing but I loved the color pattern on his outstretched wing.
Bio Lab Road, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 31, 2023
Glossy Ibis, Funhouse Reflections
A slow moving Glossy Ibis and white clouds made some interesting reflections in the water ripple created by the bird’s movement.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
January 1, 2024