Pardon, but do I have purple Pickerelweed petals on my bill?

The White Ibis, with its brilliant blue eyes, is one of the most abundant wading birds in Florida. White Ibises frequent saltwater marshes, coastal swamps, freshwater wetlands, ponds, fields – and lawns. They probe in the mud for small prey such as insects, crustaceans, and worms (See All about Birds, White Ibis). . . . which explains why […]

Our National Wildlife Refuge system began right here!☀️

 The Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is one of my favorite birding spots here in Florida. Located just north of Vero Beach, Pelican Island NWR, established in 1903, has the distinction of being the very first National Wildlife Refuge. Thanks to the efforts of some very committed citizen advocates and a conservation-minded President, a system was created […]

Cycle of life – Is this who I think it is?

At first glance, this hawk sitting in a large tree near our home looked somewhat like a Red-shouldered, a species we see often here. But it surprised us that he just sat there and never moved a bit, even as we got very close. We soon realized why. . . . The hawk was being ‘buzzed’ mercilessly by at least four loud […]