Birds of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge- A Pictorial

Birds of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Part of my “take some time to smell the roses” approach to fishing includes enjoying the many species of birds one sees in the places where we fish. Understandably, many species of birds aren’t very fond of human intrusion. Those birds are difficult to photograph. Other species are rather diminutive, likewise difficult to photograph.

I don’t consider myself to be a birder, so I don’t go crazy trying to get the really tough shots. Birds are beautiful though, and make some awesome photos. While there certainly are better photographers out there, here are some of my personal favorites.

All of these species of birds are commonly seen on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, where most of these shots were taken.

Anhinga, also called the snake bird or water turkey.

Bald Eagle

A great blue heron scores a snack.

Coots taking off from a marsh pond.

Double-Crested Cormorant

Spoonbills and ibis feed in the marsh.

Green Heron, in the marsh.

A gull stretches its wings. They were on a bar in the Banana River Lagoon.

Gulls will form dense flocks.

Peeps! I can’t tell them apart.

Only brown pelicans can epitomize both grace and awkwardness at the same time.

Brown pelicans at rest.

Snowy Egret

Roseate Spoonbill

Spoonbills stretching.

Black Vultures

White ibis feeding, Banana River Lagoon.

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2012. All rights are reserved.