The “Tricolored Heron is a characteristic bird of quiet shallow waters,” (Audubon), and a very common sight in our wetland preserves in Palm Beach County. But I couldn’t resist the image of this striking Tri-colored, foraging in the mangroves at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge on New Year’s Day morning. Almost hard to tell which bird is real […]
Author Archives: Birder's Journey
I always love watching the young Great Blue Herons practice their in-flight navigation skills, and this handsome fellow at Merritt Island NWR was no exception.The Great Blue Heron gazed up at a little tree island, as if to gauge its height in preparation for a landing. All of a sudden, the GBH lifted up and spread his […]
This charmer was seen wading – and posing – at Merritt Island NWR. Of the world’s six species of Spoonbills, the uniquely beautiful Roseate Spoonbill is the only one found in North America – and the only one that is pink! Like many other wading birds, Roseate Spoonbills were victims of the plume hunting trade in the […]
This Great Egret was enjoying a festive first breakfast of 2017 this morning at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge! After one successful foray, he strutted back out full of confidence for another fish course.The water was utterly calm and smooth. The crystal clear surface made for wonderful reflections, and probably made it quite easy for […]
This elegant Great Egret circled overhead and then flew right past me yesterday afternoon. It seems inconceivable that this beautiful bird, along with other egrets, herons and ibises were once “harvested” in order to make fashionable women’s hats! In fact, the Great Egret “a dazzling sight in many a North American wetland” (All About Birds), was hunted almost […]
My husband spotted this beautiful Red-shouldered Hawk enjoying the waning moments of sunlight at the Refuge the other night.The Hawk seemed quite undisturbed by our presence as he gazed down at us from his perch.We enjoyed every moment, as the setting sun continued to cast that wonderful golden glow. Before long, the sun was too low […]
It’s always a thrill to spot an American Bittern! If you have the good fortune to encounter one at all, it is usually well-camouflaged – and it’s often likely to disappear from view quickly.When disturbed, the Bittern will frequently elongate his neck and point his head skyward, as if trying to blend in even more […]
I always love watching Purple Gallinules as they scale the heights of the tall, narrow Fireflag plants to get at their tasty purple blossoms.You can see the eager anticipation in his eyes as he gets closer!Success . . . . delicious! Off on a quest for more. . . .
The White Ibis, present year-round here in south Florida, is often seen unceremoniously probing for insects in the mud and grass on lawns and roadsides, looking less than glamorous. But our White Ibises also inhabit wetland marshes and shallow ponds, where they feed on fish, frogs, and small crustaceans (Audubon). I thought this one actually looked quite lovely, […]
As birders, we are always looking to the skies and paying attention to flight patterns as a key to identifying our fine feathered friends, like the Osprey featured above. But I’m always paying attention, too, to the interesting signs that are posted in our preserves and parks. I recently noticed this very cool sign above – the first […]
Birder's Journey 