We visited the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge for the first time the other day. The Refuge is located about 3 hours north of us, not far from the Kennedy Space Center, near Titusville, Florida. What a magical place!
I will need to add multiple posts in order to show the wonderful diversity of birds – and the stunning sunsets! First – the beautiful Spoonbills. All through the day, we saw them flying over in groups, in all directions.
“Which one doesn’t belong?” . . . Occasionally, a White Ibis jumped in the line ;D
Although I’ve seen Roseate Spoonbills often at our own nearby preserves, somehow, these magnificent birds looked even more stunning on Merritt Island.
More Merritt Island views to come soon . . .
Birder's Journey 
Beautiful photographs
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They are such beautiful birds – thank you, Sukanya.
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Beautiful site and images!
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They’re such a joy to watch – thanks, Nick!
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Terrific shots Carol! 🙂
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Why, thank you, HJ!
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Merritt island is magical, you have really captured the beauty of the spoonbill in your photos. How exciting they were visiting.
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Your comment makes me smile, Barbara. Yes, we were so lucky that day!
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How gorgeous BJ! I sense your excitement on exploring the island, I know I would feel the same! Stunningly beautiful birds and images, thanks for sharing them. Looking forward to more at another time. I love the Spoonies, our Royal Spoonbill is a beautiful bird, but the Roseate has its very striking colour. I especially love Spoonbills in breeding plumage, they can make you chuckle at times.
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What a treat to get your enthusiastic feedback, AB! The sights at this refuge were all marvelous, but the Roseate Spoonbills stole the show!
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Looking at your fantastic photographs, I’m getting more and more excited; leaving for Florida tomorrow with camera in hand. Thank you for sharing these.
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Enjoy your time in Florida! I’m sure your camera will get lots of good use🌴😎☀️!!
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It’s interesting that before I saw Roseate Spoonbills in reality, I thought that they would be the most beautiful of the family, but now I think I like our plain white Yellow-billed Spoonbill the best. We are lucky and also have a Royal Spoonbill too.
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So nice to hear from you, Sonja. When I first got to know the Roseate Spoonbills here in Florida only a few years ago, I had no idea there were so many other marvelous spoonbills in other parts of the world. What a treat to see how unique and beautiful they all are!
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Beautiful birds and great reading…
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Thanks so much! Have a wonderful day ~
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Gorgeous, love their color! I hope I see one of these someday soon, even better if I get to photograph one! 🙂
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I really hope you do, Donna! – the Roseate Spoonbills are so unique and their coloring is so striking.
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These shots are incredibly beautiful!!
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You are so kind!
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Beautiful birds, and fabulous info. I’m on the Gulf side of Florida. I hope to photograph them this year. I’ve been photographing at the Venice Rookery. I’ll post some of my bird photos soon.
Connie
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Thanks, Connie! We also saw spoonbills at Ding Darling on Sanibel Island on the Gulf coast earlier this season. I look forward to seeing your bird photos!
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Do must make time to visit Sanibel Island. Thank you.
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