There are a lot of Sandhill Cranes hanging about Viera Wetlands right now. Last year I was happy to observe one couple with it’s young throughout the Spring and Summer, starting with this absolute cuteness:

That was the only pair around then, but last weekend I saw two pairs with little babes, a pair on a nest, and two other pairs wandering around… it’s pretty cool to go and see all the pairs doing their thing.

There are Anhinga nesting at Viera Wetlands. Some have already had babies for a while, others are on the nest.

This fine gentleman brought his lady a stick for the nest.

Ok, see ya later!

Ok, thanks!

She placed it and then covered it with another, securing it’s placement.

And here is a baby Anhinga from another nest. They look so mature, I don’t think they are ever that “cute” despite the white fuzzies.

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.

Friday night we had thunderstorms, followed by an incredibly windy Saturday, and a freezing cold Sunday. One of those days that while cold is bright and sunny and beautiful! A great day to be out. The birds, however, looked like they weren’t too happy about the temperature…

The coolest thing I saw was 100 or so American White Pelicans flying over. Seemed like they just kept on coming… such large and graceful birds.

I went to Viera Wetlands last Friday. Not too many photos from the trip, but I did see lots of little ones, and some cool sights as always… the Great Blue Heron wrestling a Giant Salamander definitely stood out! Sorry I didn’t get a photo of that, it was something that could not be seen without the help of my amazing binoculars!

This is my first summer spent bird watching and I have to say that even though there are a lot more birds in winter, there are some amazing things to see in summer. I’ve seen birds courting, nesting, and babies growing up!  It’s also given me more time to focus on observing individual birds. Definitely worth the time to bird watch year round.

Red shouldered hawk, and moorhen with youngin’ above.

Photos taken at Viera Wetlands. It was getting dark, so I only got a few.

This morning I went out to Viera Wetlands for some bird watching. It was a beautiful cloudy morning, and there were chicks everywhere. The most exciting was a pair of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks with 15 ducklings!

Adorable!

Here are some photos from recent birdwatching adventures, taken at Viera and Merritt Island. This is my first Spring/Summer birdwatching. I used to only go in the Winter but I am addicted now I have to go all the time, and it’s so interesting.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck.

Purple Gallinule.

White Ibis.

Cattle Egrets.

Sandhill Cranes, the young one still learning from it’s parents.

Tri-color Heron.

Roseate Spoonbill. Intensely pink.

Here are some photos of cute families I saw at Viera Wetlands over the weekend! There were also many families of Great Blue Heron and Anhingas that I didn’t get good photos of but enjoyed watching for a long time on their nests. What a cool place!

Limpkins eating a snail.

Limpkins.

Sandhill Cranes.

Young Sandhill Crane- getting BIG!! Remember the photos I posted when it was a wee thing?

Otters.

Otters.