outdoor photography

Reddish Egret with American Avocets I had a pretty fun time at Merritt Island this morning. I saw a Horned Grebe at the causeway and then went to Blackpoint Dr.  There was a significant number of shorebirds there: lots of American Avocets, Dunlin and Least Sandpipers, quite a few Black-bellied Plovers, and a few distant dowitchers and Red Knots. There were far fewer species of ducks than is normal this time of year: Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, and four Red-breasted Mergansers. Black-bellied Plover On the south side of the main road (west of the turnoff to Blackpoint Dr), there was a large number of wading birds, shorebirds and pelicans.  At one point, a group of them flew, containing the most interesting species in the group.  If I've counted right, this photo shows 11 Marbled Godwits, 5 American Avocets, 3 Dunlin and 1 Willet, though there were more of each species in the water. American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, Willet, Dunlin The v...

Lincoln's Sparrow Canal St, Feb 2013 I didn't intend to attempt a Seminole Co. big year this year.  I intended to do at least a little birding every day, and since I have a little time before work, I tended to stick to Seminole Co. on most work days, with an occasional venture into Orange County to visit Mead Gardens or Wekiwa Springs.  On the weekends, I wanted to chase birds within about an hour's drive of my home.  But as finances became tight and time became limited, I found myself concentrating more and more on Semnole County. Eventually I decided to see if I could hit 200 in the year, and then once I did, I just had to keep going. Philadelphia Vireo Central Winds Park, Oct 2013 I believe my county is under-birded compared to neighboring counties (Orange, Lake, Brevard, Volusia). Seminole Co is small and filled with suburbs. It's inland so there's no coastline, and there's surprisingly few places to look for shorebirds.  But something about that...

American Avocet I decided to spend my last morning of 2013 at Marl Bed Flats, which is my favorite place for birding in Seminole Co. during the winter months.  I was hoping for Long-billed Dowitchers, which have avoided me successfully all year.  Shortly after arriving, I found an American Avocet, which is very unusual here.  I've hoped for an avocet here, but never really expected to find one.  Then two Long-billed Dowitchers landed right near the Avocet.  It was so great to get all three birds in the same frame!  I spent most of my time here looking for shorebirds, and other fun finds here were Killdeer, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, a Dunlin, Least Sandpipers, and many Wilson's Snipe. The usual suspects were also here: lots of wading birds, House, Carolina and Sedge Wrens, Bonaparte's Gull, Forster's and Caspian Terns, and a Sora. Long-billed Dowitchers and an American Avocet Unless something wonderful happens this evening, my Seminole Co. lis...

Least Sandpiper Yesterday I drove out to Merritt Island for the morning. It was a little slow, but it was still a pretty good morning.  Even though I see Least Sandpipers frequently there, I rarely get to see them up close and in good light.  Well yesterday I finally got some nice shots of these wonderful birds.   Black-necked Stilts are breeding here, so it was fun to see them just about everywhere, but it was also nice to see American Avocets in breeding plumage.  Even the Willets were sporting their new breeding looks. Black-necked Stilt and American Avocet Willet

Eastern Kingbird I spent this morning at Merritt Island NWR.  I first went to Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, and that was pretty fun. The biggest highlights were seeing several American Avocets in breeding plumage and my first Eastern Kingbird of the year.  The Eastern Kingbird was right near the restrooms, where I seem to find them every year. American Avocet At one of the stops there was a large mixed flock of wading birds and shorebirds (where I saw the avocets).  Photographically, this was the best part of my morning. At one point, a Peregrine Falcon dove in to attack, I suspect one of the many shorebirds, but pulled out of his dive. I was only able to get a photo after it decided to fly away.  Man, those birds fly fast! Snowy Egret White Ibis Lesser Yellowlegs Roseate Spoonbill Great Egret Peregrine Falcon After Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, I drove down Biolab Road and East/West Gator Creek.  The only significant find...

American Avocet American Avocets are wonderful shorebirds that really are a model of elegance.  They have long upturned bills, and during their breading season, the heads and necks can turn a rusty color.  At Merritt Island, you can often find them feeding in large groups. American Avocet American Avocet American Avocet American Avocet American Avocet

American Avocet The other day at Merritt Island's Blackpoint Dr. a sizeable flock of American Avocet decided to fly in relatively close to shore when I was photographing ducks.  They were chasing something in the water, and every once in a while, some would fly over the others to get into the front of the line.  It was one of those rare times when I wish I didn't have a 400mm lens attached to my camera.  I probably would have come home with better photos if I used my 180mm macro, but I knew that by the time I changed lenses, the moment would be over. It was still a lot of fun to watch them work. American Avocet American Avocet American Avocet

American Avocet American Avocet are gorgeous shorebirds.  This past Saturday four of them were foraging in Merritt Island NWR (Pump House Rd).  They seemed completely unconcerned with us.  They walked close enough to us that I was able to capture my best photos of these birds.  American Avocet are easily recognizable by the black and white on their wings and their long bills with an upward turn at the end.  In breeding plumage, their heads and neck turn a rusty color, but I think they're beautiful all year round. American Avocet American Avocet American Avocet