The almost all white plumage of this bird below poses an ID challenge for many newcomers to the wetlands, who often mistakenly assume he is one of the white egrets – a Snowy Egret or Great Egret.But the bluish-black color of his beak, and his unmistakable green legs are great clues to his true identity. His behavior gives […]
Category Archives: Marsh/Wetlands
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 […]
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 […]
Birder's Journey 