outdoor photography

Wilson's Phalarope Biolab Rd It used to be that when I went to Merritt Island NWR, my sole destination was Blackpoint Wildlife Dr. Of course, that is by far the most popular part of the refuge, especially for visitors from out of town.  But the refuge actually has many wonderful locations for birding, hiking and otherwise enjoying nature.  Some are wildlife drives, and some allow you to get out of your car and walk a bit. I thought it would be good to offer a brief summary of the best locations on the refuge. You can consult my field reports as well for more information. Many of those that visit the refuge frequently know every nook and cranny of it, but there are about 9 locations on the refuge that are relatively easy to find with excellent birding opportunities. The above map is turned sidewise--north is to the left.  But you can see I-95 and the Max Brewer bridge over the inter-coastal waterway on SR-406 that takes you on to the refuge. Saltmarsh Sparro...

Tropical Kingbird This morning a couple friends and I drove to a parking lot in Sarasota to find a Tropical Kingbird.  We found two there, and we had a lot of fun watching two of them flying from tree to tree and hawking insects.  At one point both of them looked like they were playing with their catch.  They'd toss the insect they caught into the air and then fly to catch it again.  They often did this a couple times before finally swallowing them. These were the first Tropical Kingbirds I've ever seen. Tropical Kingbird Tropical Kingbird Tropical Kingbird Tropical Kingbird Tropical Kingbird Tropical Kingbird After this, we drove up to Clearwater to find a Common Eider that had been seen there recently. Unfortunately, we didn't find it, but we did see a couple Gray Kingbirds. So with two more fun kingbirds to add to our lists, we had a pretty good day. Gray Kingbird Gray Kingbird Gray Kingbird

Wilson's Phalarope I had a pretty fun time at Merritt Island this morning.  Easily the biggest highlight for me was a Wilson's Phalarope.  I found it on Bio Lab Rd.  Black-necked Stilts were also there, and I always enjoy them. Black-necked Stilts Blackpoint Drive was also pretty fun. I couldn't believe how many Reddish Egrets were there--I counted 18, and two of them were white morphs.  By the first parking lot there were many shorebirds, including one Wilson's Plover.  I also found a Golden Silk Orbweaver spider with a lunch.  I only wish I could tell what it had caught. Reddish Egret Wilson's Plover Golden Silk Orbweaver

Gray Kingbird Until this morning, my nemesis bird was the Gray Kingbird.  But this morning I went to Viera Wetlands, and it was perched in a tree greeting me as I arrived.  It was right across the street from the entrance to the water treatment facility, right at the beginning of the new entrance to the wetlands.  I photographed it for 15-20 minutes until it flew off.  It spent most of its time perching, posing and preening.  When I left the wetlands, I saw him again in the same general place, but this time it was perched on the power lines above the tree he was in before.  I'm almost positive at one point it winked at me to congratulate me. Gray Kingbird Gray Kingbird Gray Kingbird Gray Kingbird