Merritt Island

This morning was the first time in a while that I went to Merritt Island NWR. While it started out cold, the birds were out and active.

Reddish Egret in the morning sun

Once the sun was up, the Reddish Egrets were out hunting

This Reddish Egret was successful! They catch and eat tiny little fish, unlike other Egrets and Herons that go for larger ones.

A dripping wet little fish

This male Anhinga seems to be having a great time out on the branch

A Tri-colored Heron in nice light with an awesome dark background making it really pop in the photo

A Great Blue Heron taking a bath

An F-14 made a flight over the refuge. The US military retired these in 2006 so I’m not sure who was flying it

I watched this Bald Eagle chase an Osprey kind of far out. It returned to hang in a tree near where the Osprey was hunting, most likely waiting for one to Catcha fish so it could steal it

The Osprey were not exactly happy with an Eagle perching in their hunting grounds. Several of them buzzed this Eagle as it watched from a pole near the Haulover Bridge.

Red Shouldered Hawk sitting on top of a small pine tree

Red Shouldered Hawk taking flight

The Eagle on the right was hanging out when I pulled up. After a few minutes, the one on the left popped up from the nest. Most likely sitting on an egg(s)

Lifting off!

Bald Eagle lifting off with some grass for the nest floor

Bald Eagle flying away while its mate watches approvingly

Bald Eagle flying in nice bright sunshine

Bald Eagle perched behind the branches of a tree. Very challenging to get focus on it with everything in the way

Bald Eagle flying overhead as it was time to head home

You never know what you’ll find when you go birding. Trying to find interesting vantage points and lighting make some of the more common birds fun to shoot. On the other hand, Bald Eagles are always awesome no matter what they’re doing!