On our way to Merritt Island we stopped to visit a Bald Eagle nest.
Our first stop at Merritt Island is searching for Florida Scrub Jays. We found the jays while photographing Lawn Orchids. It was overcast, cool (mid-50s F) and misty.
After finding the jays we headed off to Blackpoint Rd. where we would find lots of Blue-winged Teal and many herons and egrets.
One large gathering of waders including most of the species expected, especially one group with many hundreds of birds.
Snowy Egrets, Tricolored Herons were dominant species with a few Wood Storks included.
White Ibises and Roseatte Spoonbills were both quite numerous.
A couple of Great Egrets flanking a Roseatte Sponbill.
Little Blue Herons were not very common.
Yet, Reddish Egrets were surprisingly common and accommodating.
Ospreys were, as expected quite common. We must have seen 15-20 during the morning.
We had one huge group of Black Skimmers, numbering close to 400 birds.
A visit to the Merritt Island Visitor Center resulted in seeing two male and one female Painted Buntings.
Great White Sulphurs were suddenly common when the sun appeared while we were on Peacock Pocket Rd,
More tomorrow…
Michael's Place 