Merritt Island on a Cold Windy Day
On Friday we went to Merritt Island NWR. It wasn’t freezing, but for Florida, it was pretty cold. and windy. The birds that were up and flying were going with the wind pretty quickly. After spending the morning there, we went up to Daytona to check on an Eagle nest and to see if we could find an elusive Barred Owl.
This female Belted Kingfisher sat briefly in nice early morning light
Being very skittish, the Kingfisher took off as we watched from a distance
The Kingfisher placed back as it continued to fly away
Reddish Egrets usually “dance” as they spend their day hunting. Today, it stayed huddled up on shore.
We spotted this Coopers Hawk resting in the mangroves
Not long after shooting it, the Coopers Hawk took flight
The Coopers Hawk caught the wind and quickly flew past
Cattle Egret taking flight. That’s Lynn behind it.
Not the typical Great Horned Owl photo. This one was way back in the pines off Black Point Drive facing the other way. Most everyone drove past as it was very hard to see it.
Roseate Spoonbill flying in. They were constantly moving from one spot to the next.
Roseate Spoonbill landing
Roseate Spoonbill stirring up the muck looking for lunch
Another Spoonbill landing
Roseate Spoonbill posing
Spoonbill gathering spot
Roseate Spoonbill giving us a bit of a smile
Spoonbill gulping down lunch
Another Spoonbill posing
Wood Stork with a fish and some salad
Immature Red-shouldered Hawk
The only Florida Scrub Jay we saw the whole day
Hiding in plain sight. The Barred Owl was so difficult to see. It was only visible from directly below it and one spot about 50 feet away that I had to tromp through scrub brush and palms to get to. It was completely hidden from every other vantage point.
Bald Eagle peering down at me.
The weather definitely made today a different challenge than a regular Florida day. But, the wildlife goes on and needs to live and hunt as best they can. The fun for us is being able to go out and see how they adapt and still get it done.