Ted and I just came back from six days in Florida. We had wonderful weather and photographed a wide variety of birds. There were hundreds and hundreds of Coots, and they show up in a lot of my images.
Northern Shoveler with Two CootsNorthern Shoveler PairPied-billed Grebe, Two Coots flanking a Northern Shoveler
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
January 19, 2023
Most of the birds we saw on Bulls Island were far off, but there was a lot of variety. This fresh water pond was hosting wading birds, ducks and shore birds.
Bird Convention
A path between two ponds had a few spots where you could peak between the underbrush for a better view.
Ring-necked Ducks and Northern Shovelers
A group of shore birds was making the rounds.
Black Necked Stilts, Blue-winged Teals, and some Shore Birds
Bulls Island is a 5000 acre barrier island off the coast of South Carolina with multiple ecosystems including maritime forest, fresh and brackish water impoundments and salt marsh.
This pair of Northern Shovelers was sticking together as they worked the pond in the early morning light. They were one of only a few water birds in the area that was patrolled by at least two pairs of Bald Eagles making them easy targets.
Northern Shoveler Pair
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, 2/21/2018.