Knowing I was getting out of work early today, all I could think about was finally getting in some bird watching time! So despite the dreary clouds looming overhead I got in my car and was off to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, picked up breakfast at Sunrise Bread Co. and was on the beach by 10:30.

Found this beautiful Prairie Warbler on the dune.
Unfortunately, also discovered the return of mosquitoes. BIG TIME. Rushed back to car!

Green Heron

Great Blue Heron

Eventually it did start to rain… Black-necked Stilt. Love their legs.

Roseate Spoonbills in the rain.

What a great face!

I also saw a number of nests out there. Will definitely be back to check for chicks.

From Merritt Island last weekend…

Snowy Egret

Cattle Egret

White Ibis

Roseate Spoonbill

American White Pelicans

American Avocets

Great White Heron

Great Blue Heron

Sora

Eastern Kingbird

The birds are beautiful out in their breeding plumage. From Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge on Friday…

White Morph Great Blue Heron (Great Egret has black legs.)

Snowy Egret

Great Blue Heron…bad hair day?

Juvenile White Ibis

Tri-colored Heron

I hadn’t been to Viera Wetlands in a few months so I went to check up on it. There are more birds at Merritt Island this Winter, but I am so excited to visit Viera this Spring! Why? Nestlings!! The Great Blue Heron’s are already setting up on the palms and the platform, and there are even more nests than last year…

Here are a few more shots from the day:

I was amused by the Gadwall and Coots having a tussle over this snack.

Been doing a lot of little paintings lately. With watercolor it’s nice to have multiple paintings going, so when one is drying you have something else to work on. Anyway, this one here is a Great Blue Heron.

Did some hiking around Gemini Springs today. Beautiful place! Looked for the Barred Owls but couldn’t find them.

There were plenty of Coots fussing about, and many swimming like this…

So funny, I never see them doing this when they are in their large groups at Merritt Island.

Then there was this Great Blue Heron. They are especially beautiful at this time of year.

And look at those giant feet!

Here are some birds from Merritt Island a few days ago. There is so much to see, I could be there all day. There was a Bittern attracting the most attention, I didn’t take any photos because it was just so crowded.   The Horned Grebe is my favorite! It’s so cute.

Horned Grebe

Green Heron

Coots

Northern Shovelers

Glossy Ibis

Wilson’s Snipe

Roseate Spoonbill

Northern Pintail

Reddish Egret

Pied-billed Grebe

American White Pelicans

Great Blue Heron

Here are some photos from the Mosquito Lagoon (along Bio-Lab Road at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge) at sunset. I WISH the photos  could show how gorgeous this was in person! It’s beautiful.

The ducks are returning, and the number of wading birds increasing.

Oh, but how things go. I miss all the warblers that were passing through, and I guess my friendly Catbird and Ovenbird in the front yard have moved on further as I’ve not seen them in a few weeks. But now there are flocks of Robins… and much much more to look forward to.

Here are some photos from Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge last weekend. I went to the beach, and took a drive down Bio-Lab Road, a little road along the Mosquito Lagoon. My favorite moment was spotting a beautiful blue Scrub Jay, although I did not get a photo, I was too busy enjoying the sight!

Today our first real cold front of the season came through. It’s wonderful, and I am forming plans for adventures this weekend! Can’t wait!