Pre-Christmas trips to Merritt Island net some favorite pics
Roger Simmons,
What I like about visiting Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is the variety of birds you can find. That was the case for two pre-Christmas visits on December 14 and 22.
In addition to seeing some new birds, I also came across some regulars who became part of some of my favorite photos of 2023.
These include an Osprey who appeared to pose for me while looking like it wanted to rip my head off, a pretty Great Blue Heron in the water, a Red-shouldered Hawk doing its best Dr. Evil impression from Austin Powers, a lone Roseate Spoonbill in a mangrove forest, and a Reddish Egret grabbing a little fish for breakfast.
The favorites are displayed first below, and then other photos I liked too from my two trips.
Osprey, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Great Blue Heron, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Red-shouldered Hawk, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Roseate Spoonbill, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Reddish Egret, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Caspian Tern, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Caspian Tern, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Double-crested Cormorant, Merritt Island National Wildlife, Refuge, December 2023.Double-crested Cormorant, Merritt Island National Wildlife, Refuge, December 2023.Greater Yellowlegs, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.American Kestrel, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Young Red-winged Blackbird, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Northern Shovelers, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Osprey, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Lesser Scaup, Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island, December 2023.Blue-winged Teals, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Long-billed Dowitchers, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.American Wigeon, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Osprey, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Laughing Gulls, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Ring-billed Gull and Laughing Gull, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.Laughing Gulls, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.
I was so excited back in May when I was able to take my first pictures of a Northern Parula at the Orlando Wetlands. Fast-forward to July, and it seems these birds are, dare I say, stalking me?
While the Chiefs and 49ers were getting ready, I was busy photographing four species of raptors at the Wetlands: American Kestrel, Osprey, Bald Eagle and Red-shouldered Hawk.
