MIT & the Click Ponds 12/13/12

Just a few shots from Moccasin Island Tract and the Click Ponds....

A curious Loggerhead Shrike

A loud Eastern Meadowlark...."Can you hear me now?" 

A hungry Wood Stork eating a decaying dead fish...

This was the Stork's reply when I asked how the fish tasted...

Finally, I saw my first Bufflehead at the Click Ponds:)

Viera Wetlands 7/27/12

Things seemed to have picked up quite a bit at the wetlands this week. We saw large populations of the regulars as well as a handful of birds we do not see quite so often. The first cell near the entrance was packed with Great Egrets, we counted close to 50, as well as a mix of Wood Storks, Snowy Egrets, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Great Blue, Green, and Little Blue Herons, and Common Gallinules.

Little Blue Heron

This young Wood Stork was relaxing right next to its parents. The juveniles are almost as adorable as their parents:)

Juvenile Wood Stork

I rarely see Black-necked Stilts at the wetlands , but I counted 8 of them today. This one, which I believe is an immature one, was foraging near 2 adults. These shorebirds are quite intriguing looking. They have such delicate features; got to love those super long, thin legs!

Black-necked Stilt

Roseate Spoonbills are occasionally found at the wetlands. This one was enjoying spending some time all alone, away from the other birds.

Roseate Spoonbill

I wonder how hard it is to clean your feathers with a spoon...

This guy then came along with an apparent disregard for the Spoonbills personal space. The White Ibis looked sort of like a lost, confused tourist, as it walked right into the photo and just stood there...

Speaking of Ibis, there are tons of White and Glossy Ibises at the wetlands right now. Other species noted include: Ospreys, Black Vutlures, Cattle Egrets (tons and tons of them), Tricolored Herons, Red-winged Blackbirds, Boat-tailed Grackles, Least Terns, Mottled Ducks, Belted Kingfisher, and lots of American Alligators.

White Ibis

Gulf Fritillary

Here, There & Everywhere

Sunrise over the Indian River
Rockledge, Fl

We have been out and about to several locations over the past week. Mead Gardens in Orlando was our first stop, a small side trip on our way to an appointment.  This was my second short trip here, and I definitely need to visit when I can spend more time at this beautiful, peaceful location! We only had time to take a walk along the boardwalk, where a handful of birds were out in the early morning sun.

This Great Crested Flycatcher was easy to find as we heard it singing long before we came upon it.

The only time it was quiet was when it was consuming what appeared to be a spider.

Over the weekend we spent time kayaking the 1,000 Islands in Cocoa Beach. The islands are a flood-tide delta deposit formed by a past strong storm surge that came across the barrier island.

The islands are beautiful place to paddle through. They offer views of the rich tropical and temperate plant species as well as numerous species of wading birds, Ospreys, and even songbirds.

We found a handful of White-eyed Vireos in various locations.  I will have to admit finding a songbird from a kayak can be more challenging than when on foot, and trying to taking a photo of one from a moving boat with a wiggly toddler on your lap can be even more arduous.

My paddling helper!

Yesterday we took a bright & early morning trip to the Sebastian Inlet State Park. As I enjoyed the beautiful colors of the sunrise, I began to sense the presence of a ghost....

It turned out to just be this Ghost Crab; it was also enjoying the sunrise!

The cool patterning on the crab helps it to stay camouflaged in the sand, safe from predators.

This Reddish Egret was hanging around the rocks of the jetty.

This intense fisherman (Great Blue Heron) was scanning the surf.

The parking lot appeared to have new security.....strangest place I've seen a Green Heron.

Keep cool and have a great weekend:)

Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center is located in Central Florida on the barrier island of Merritt Island. KSC shares a border with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refugee and is actually considered a National Wildlife Refuge. There is definitely no shortage of birds on KSC. The space center is also home to an abundance of wildlife, including many endangered species. The protected shoreline along the Atlantic on KSC provides an optimal nesting area for sea turtles. It actually has one of the highest populations in the northern hemisphere. Manatees are also very abundant around the center. The photos in this post were taken by my husband, Brian.

Bald Eagle
Kennedy Space Center

Bald Eagles are another endangered species that reside at KSC. There are currently at least 5 active eagle nests. Their nests can reach 6 feet in diameter and are typically occupied September through May.

Bald Eagle
Kennedy Space Center

Roseate Spoonbill & Wood Storks
Kennedy Space Center

Spoonbills are a popular sight around the space center as well. There bright pink hue makes them difficult to miss.

Roseate Spoonbill & Wood Storks
Kennedy Space Center

A Juvenile Woodstork

Wood Storks aren't always characterized as beautiful birds. As an adult, the Wood Stork displays a bald, featherless head. As a juvenile, however, the Wood Stork has a lightly feathered head. This guy was definitely kind of cute!

Juvenile Wood Stork
Titusville, Fl

The Wood Stork

Wood Stork

Wood Storks are interesting, unique looking creatures. Easily identified by their bald heads, long legs, and prominent bills, Wood Storks are found year round here in Florida. The Wood Stork has been on the Endangered Species list since 1984 and is the only Stork that breeds in the US. South and Central Florida are the most prominent Wood Stork breeding areas in Florida.

Wood Stork
Sebastian Inlet State Park

The Wood Stork's large bill plays an important role in its feeding technique. The stork sticks its partially open bill in shallow water, snapping it shut when its sensitive bill detects a fish in close proximity. Wood Storks primarily feeds on fish, but their diet can include frogs, insects, small snakes, and lizards. Wood Storks typically  forage in areas with high concentrations of fish because of their feeding style. Wood Storks are big eaters, especially during breeding season where they typically consume over 400 lbs of fish per season.

For some great information on Wood Storks, check out these references:
http://www.fpl.com/environment/endangered/pdf/woodstork.pdf
http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=B06O

Birding at the Inlet

Sebastian Inlet State Park is great place to experience some of Florida's finest birds. I was definitely not disappointed on this week's camping trip the inlet. The park is located along A1A south of Melbourne Beach, Florida, nestled between the Indian River and the shore of the Atlantic. The Inlet is most well-known for its premier surfing and fishing, but offers an extensive variety of activities. 

Juvenile Brown Pelican
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Pelicans, a very common Florida bird, are quite plentiful here.They frequently can be found trying to make friends with the fishermen. The inlet is definitely the place to be for a front row seat of viewing pelicans in action.

Juvenile Brown Pelican
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Brown Pelican
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Heron and Egrets of all sizes, shapes, and colors are also quite plentiful for viewing here.

Great Egret
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Reddish Egret
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Great Blue Heron
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Snowy Egret
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Wood Stork
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Ring-billed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Caspian Terns, and Black Skimmers were noted on this visit. The park has a protected nesting area for shore birds where numerous birds are offered a place safe from human traffic during their spring time nesting season.

Ring-billed Gull
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Ring-billed Gull
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Black Skimmers
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Shore birds sighted on this visit included Ruddy Turnstones, Willets, and Sanderlings.The only ducks observed were several Red-breasted Mergansers. Northern Mockingbirds, Black Crows, Grackle, and Mourning Doves were also seen populating the area.

Red-breasted Merganser
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Red-breasted Merganser
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sanderling
Sebastian Inlet State Park