I spent an afternoon at Merritt Island NWR a few weeks ago. I was really trying to go to the beach but sadly learned they close the beach off at 4:30 instead of sunset now. Closing a beach in the afternoon during Summer in Florida seems crazy to me, but okay. I went birdwatching instead!
I love this time of year because you can see all ages of Black-necked Stilts and Green Herons- from fledgelings to birds still on the nest with eggs. While the nests are hard to photograph and better viewed with binoculars, here are a few photos of the Black-necked Stilts on the move...
Look at those legs!
And beautiful wild orchid blooming...
