Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge 2/11/12

I set off for an early morning trip to MINWR on Saturday. The sky looked less than promising for some favorable light as I drove off, however, as I approached Titusville, clear blue skies came through. I made a quick stop at the Max Brewer Causeway and then headed to Black Point Wildlife Drive. My first stopping point offered a abundant display of active birds. There were numerous Reddish Egrets, most whom were boasting their breeding plumages, dancing about as they pursued their prey. There was a diverse group of water birds, including Northern Pintails, a Horned Grebe, Lesser Scaups, Northern Shovelers, Blue-winged Teals, Double-crested Cormorants, Coots,  a Lesser Yellowlegs,  Dowitchers, Pelicans, and a Roseate Spoonbill (and I'm sure a few other I don't remember).

Pair of Northern Pintails
MINWR

Pair of Northern Pintails
MINWR

Lesser Scaup
MINWR

Horned Grebe
MINWR

At the Max Brewer Causeway, I saw the usual gaggle of Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls. I also saw 4 of my favs, the Great Black-backed Gulls. There were two mature adults, one probable third year, and one first year. They were all equally monstrous  in size, however their coloring and bill markings differed. The Great Black-backed Gulls are very skittish in comparison to the other gulls. Check out the size of the bill on the third year gull!

Adult Great Black-backed Gull
Titusville, Fl

Great Black-backed Gull (third year)
Titusville, Fl

Great Black-backed Gull (first year)
Titusville, Fl