The Little Nuthatch — american coot
Orlando Wetlands.
american coot black skimmer common yellowthroat orlando wetlands roseate spoonbill snowy egret vermilion flycatcher
I had been anxious to get out to the Orlando Wetlands since it reopened on February 1st (as it closes during the Winter), and I finally made it out there a couple weeks ago. It is always exciting to see what birds have arrived while it's closed. My first stop was to the cypress in the back to see the Vermilion Flycatcher, an adorable little red bird. It didn't come close, so it was a tiny speck on a distant tree... The sun was going down as I walked back towards the front. Most the action was in the...
Viera Wetlands.
alligator american coot great blue heron hooded merganser loggerhead shrike red-shouldered hawk viera wetlands
I hadn't been to Viera Wetlands in a few months so I went to check up on it. There are more birds at Merritt Island this Winter, but I am so excited to visit Viera this Spring! Why? Nestlings!! The Great Blue Heron's are already setting up on the palms and the platform, and there are even more nests than last year... Here are a few more shots from the day: I was amused by the duck and Coots having a tussle over this snack.
At Gemini Springs.
american coot gemini springs great blue heron
Did some hiking around Gemini Springs today. Beautiful place! Looked for the Barred Owls but couldn't find them. There were plenty of Coots fussing about, and many swimming like this... So funny, I never see them doing this when they are in their large groups at Merritt Island. Then there was this Great Blue Heron. They are especially beautiful at this time of year. An d look at those giant feet!
Merritt Island.
american coot american white pelican glossy ibis great blue heron green heron horned grebe merritt island nwr northern pintail northern shoveler pied-billed grebe reddish egret roseate spoonbill wilson's snipe
Here are some birds from Merritt Island a few days ago. There is so much to see, I could be there all day. There was a Bittern attracting the most attention, I didn't take any photos because it was just so crowded. The Horned Grebe is my favorite! It's so cute. Horned Grebe Green Heron Coots Northern Shovelers Glossy Ibis Wilson's Snipe Roseate Spoonbill Northern Pintail Reddish Egret Pied-billed Grebe American White Pelicans Great Blue Heron
This is gonna rock.
american coot great blue heron great egret merritt island nwr
The ducks are returning, and the number of wading birds increasing. Oh, but how things go. I miss all the warblers that were passing through, and I guess my friendly Catbird and Ovenbird in the front yard have moved on further as I've not seen them in a few weeks. But now there are flocks of Robins... and much much more to look forward to.