I really enjoy visiting the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge for birding, especially early in the morning. It’s such a wonderful time as the sun rises along the coast with the birds and other animals there greeting the new day.
On a recent weekend morning trip I got to see a Reddish Egret dancing around a pond while the orange sunrise reflected in the water. I also got to see the return of Bald Eagles – one to its longtime nest and another sitting on a lighting tower near a space-tracking radar station.
And I was able to photograph some other island regulars – including a group of White Ibis — as well as birds returning for the migration season — a Common Yellowthroat Warbler, a Pie-billed Grebes and a Palm Warbler.
Reddish Egret, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, September 2024.Young male Common Yellowthroat Warbler, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, September 2024.Pie-billed Grebe, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, September 2024.Adult and juvenile White Ibis, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, September 2024.Adult White Ibis, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, September 2024.Juvenile White Ibis, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, September 2024.Palm Warbler, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, September 2024.Bald Eagle, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, September 2024.Bald Eagle, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, September 2024.Bald Eagle, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, September 2024.Bald Eagle, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, September 2024.
One of the cool benefits of visiting the Orlando Wetlands regularly is witnessing how the little baby birds grow into big birds. Here are two examples.
While I will travel across Central Florida to seek out new birds to photograph, I often overlook some pretty interesting ones hanging out in my backyard.
I decided to make the most of what has been rare January sunshine and hit up both Orlando Wetlands and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Sort of a birding doubleheader. But I hit the Daily Double for these trips.
