I’ve been going to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge regularly during the past year, but I usually ended up at Black Point Wildlife Drive.
This year, in addition to Black Point, I’ve been trying to explore different areas – including Gator Creek, East Gator Creek and Biolab roads. They offer a great habitat for wading birds and more.
There’s a Northern Harrier that hangs out on East Gator Creek, and I have photographed it a couple of times – including a recent outing where it was flying around clutching what I believe was a shotgun shell casing.
Here are some recent shots from several different trips to MINWR.
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.
Whenever I hear “Prairie Warbler,” I think of Little House on the Prairie and the Midwest. But this little yellow and black bird is a year-round Florida resident.
Some Black Terns recently showed up at Orlando Wetlands. It’s the first time I have seen or photographed these new-to-me birds, so I had to do some research to find out more about them.