Earlier I posted about finally being able to find Hooded Merganser ducks in Oviedo after several attempts. Apparently I was keeping my search area too small.
Over the past several weeks I have come across a lot of Hooded Mergansers in different locations – some totally unexpected.
I’ve revisited the group in Oviedo, and they were still there. And then there was a group along Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island that was fun to watch. That’s wasn’t too unexpected
But it was while driving along State Road 417 that I noticed two ponds with the colorful ducks. One had more than 20 Hooded Mergansers. I didn’t expect that.
So, here are some more photos of Hooded Mergansers. Keep an eye out for them – you never know where you might find them.
Female Hooded Merganser with an acorn, Oviedo, December 2024.Male Hooded Merganser with an acorn, Oviedo, December 2024.Hooded Merganser, Oviedo, December 2024.Male and female Hooded Mergansers, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Male Hooded Mergansers, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Male Hooded Merganser, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Male Hooded Merganser, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Male and female Hooded Mergansers, along State Road 417, December 2024.Male Hooded Mergansers, along State Road 417, December 2024.Female Hooded Mergansers, along State Road 417, December 2024.Male and female Hooded Mergansers, along State Road 417, December 2024.
One of the things I love about visiting the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is you never know what you might see. On Sunday, July 16, I saw some birds I expected and one that was unexpected.
I saw my first Eastern Towhee at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge back in March, but I’ve seen many more send then at the UCF Arboretum. The scrub bush landscape there is perfect for these colorful orange and black birds.
