Category: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Expected and unexpected birds and more at Merritt Island

Roger Simmons, August 26, 2024August 25, 2024

A couple of trips to different spots at Merritt Island — Gator Creek Road, Black Point Wildlife Drive and Scrub Ridge Trail — gave me some expected and unexpected subjects to photograph this month.

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For Green Herons, it’s easy being green

Roger Simmons, August 25, 2024August 25, 2024

While they are year-round residents in Florida, I usually only see Green Herons in summer and fall during my birding trips.

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Beach crabbing, er, birding at Canaveral National Seashore

Roger Simmons, August 22, 2024August 22, 2024

Just before Hurricane Debby visited Florida earlier this month, I took at trip to the Canaveral National Seashore to do some pre-storm birding.

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Birds make a splash along Biolab Road

Roger Simmons, May 19, 2024May 19, 2024

I recently took a drive down Biolab Road, and I was pleasantly surprised by how many birds were out and about along that stretch.

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Bobcat at the beach: A surprise at Playalinda

Roger Simmons, May 11, 2024May 10, 2024

Imagine my surprise as I came around a corner and there was the bobcat sitting on the side of the road – like it was waiting for me to take its picture.

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Exploring some new places on Merritt Island

Roger Simmons, March 21, 2024March 21, 2024

This year, 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.

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Playing catch-up. Highlights from some recent outings

Roger Simmons, March 3, 2024March 3, 2024

My February included trips to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, Orlando Wetlands, Joe Overstreet Road in Osceola County and Merritt Island Wildlife Drive.

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A wet, splish-splashy day at Merritt Island

Roger Simmons, February 8, 2024February 8, 2024

It was typical 2024 Florida winter weather when I visited Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, Jan. 27. It was sunny, then cloudy, then rainy, then cloudy, then sunny, etc. Rinse and repeat, as they say.

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Birding doubleheader: OW, MINWR trips prove winners

Roger Simmons, January 21, 2024February 25, 2024

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.

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Trying to do some birding in the new year

Roger Simmons, January 21, 2024January 21, 2024

Between clouds and rain showers, I was able to visit my three go-to spots for birding – Orlando Wetlands, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive – in the first two weeks of January.