The Little Nuthatch — american white pelican
A cold and windy morning.
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On Wednesday a cold front rolled in, bringing clouds and wind up to 30 mph. I had the day off so I headed out to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge for the sunrise. With the cloud cover it was no great sunrise, but it was still incredibly beautiful. The wind!! I often see wild boar in the water, but seeing a raccoon was a first for me.
Oh, the plumage.
american avocet american white pelican cattle egret eastern kingbird great blue heron merritt island nwr mushrooms roseate spoonbill snowy egret white ibis
From Merritt Island last weekend... Snowy Egret Cattle Egret White Ibis Roseate Spoonbill American White Pelicans American Avocets Great White Heron Great Blue Heron Sora Eastern Kingbird
Chilly.
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Friday night we had thunderstorms, followed by an incredibly windy Saturday, and a freezing cold Sunday. One of those days that while cold is bright and sunny and beautiful! A great day to be out. The birds, however, looked like they weren't too happy about the temperature... T he coolest thing I saw was 100 or so American White Pelicans flying over. Seemed like they just kept on coming... such large and graceful birds.
Merritt Island.
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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
Tis the season for birding.
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Happy New Years Eve! Great day, a cool morning warming up to a high of 76. Clear and breezy. Birds seemed to be everywhere all day! After going to Merritt Island and spending a couple hours at Black Point Drive this morning, I was once again lured outside in the afternoon by a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. That turned into a walk to the cow pasture where a Red-tailed Hawk circled with the vultures, and a flock of Robins hopped along the ground. What a beautiful way to end 2011! Fills me with hope for what is to come in 2012.