outdoor photography

Barrow's Goldeneye When I was in Seattle this past week, we saw many ducks and gulls, especially at Puget Sound, which we visited twice, and Lake Washington, which we visited once. The ducks were really fun to see. I found my first Barrow's Goldeneyes and Harlequin Duck, but it was also fun to see Common Goldeneye, wild Mallards, both American and Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, and Surf Scoters. Common Goldeneye Surf Scoter American Wigeon Mallard Gulls were also very enjoyable. Almost every gull I found was one I'd never seen before--Ring-billed and Bonaparte's Gulls were the only ones that are common in Florida, but my lifers were much more common. Glaucous-winged Gulls, California Gulls, Mew Gulls and Heerman's Gulls were everywhere. Glaucous-winged X Western Gull Bonaparte's Gull Mew Gull Heerman's Gull California Gull

Northern Shoveler I spent the last morning of the year at Merritt Island. We went by Blackpoint Wildlife Drive and then Biolab Rd.  I was hoping to find one more species for the year, but it looks like I'll have to end the year at 259 Florida birds.  Still, it was a nice, sunny day, and there lots of fun highlights.  I don't think I've ever seen so many spoonbills on the island.  There were easily upwards of 50 Roseate Spoonbills, plus many Glossy and White Ibises.  Ducks were also plentiful, and at times the lighting was pretty good to photograph the numerous Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, and American Wigeon and Hooded Mergansers. Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Northern Pintail Hooded Merganser Hooded Merganser Wood Stork Roseate Spoonbill Glossy Ibis White Ibis Caspian Tern Red-winged Blackbird On the way back, we decided to drop by the visitor center to check the bird feeders for Painted Bunti...