This juvenile Purple Gallinule was so delightful, I just had to show off his lovely face!A few clues to tell us that this is a Juvenile Purple Gallinule . . . His plumage has begun to show the wonderful blues and greens that will become shimmering, iridescent colors in the sunlight when he reaches adulthood. There is […]
Category Archives: Marsh/Wetlands
I’ve written many posts about the Purple Gallinule, but just couldn’t resist adding one more. ☺️ Have a beautiful day~!!
“The elegant Great Egret is a dazzling sight in many a North American wetland.” This one was surveying the ponds below from a perch high atop the marsh, just before sunset the other day. His sweeping spray of long feathers is a distinctive sign of the upcoming breeding season. “Called aigrettes, those plumes were the bane of […]
This relaxed-looking White Ibis sat for the longest time on the boardwalk in a rather odd, squatting position.When all of a sudden, he stood up slightly, and . . . . . . .SPLAT!!!!He appeared to lose his balance momentarily, apparently flustered 🙂Then he stood up, looked around sheepishly, and said:“WHO . . . . ME?!”
This Great Blue Heron actually looked like a fake cut-out against the water as he sailed by before touching down!He slid in gracefully, for a nice smooth landing . . . And then strolled around looking quite elegant 🙂I don’t think he was even foraging for something to eat. . . !Just strutting, looking very debonair […]
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 […]
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 […]
Birder's Journey 