Back Again

To the Viera Wetlands and Click Ponds, that is. There really are alot of great places to go birding around here, but the wetlands are really close. 

Glossy Ibis
Click Ponds

Glossy Ibis can found regularly at both the Click Ponds and the wetlands. This beautiful bird is most often found foraging in the mud or shallow waters along the shores of the wetlands. 

Red-bellied Woodpecker
Viera Wetlands



This Red-bellied Woodpecker, which actually has a red head, not a red belly, was enjoying a day of tree hopping.

 

Hooded Merganser
Viera Wetlands

  I spotted 4 Hooded Mergansers,
2 male and 2 female, all actively diving for food.





  



Osprey
Viera Wetlands



Belted Kingfisher
Viera Wetlands

This Belted Kingfisher was on the prowl for his next meal.



Male Blue-winged Teal
Viera Wetlands

 This Teal was showing a little wing during his preening.


Female Blue-winged Teal
Viera Wetlands

This female Teal hanging out with a Coot, close to the other group of 1 male and 4 female teals. I wonder if they kicked her out.



Ring-necked Ducks
Click Ponds

 Not a decent photo, but this group of Ring-necked Ducks was spotted in the middle of the second pond.

Frog, its what's for breakfast!

This Green Heron started his day out right at the ClickPonds,

with a good breakfast

 of frog legs,

 well, actually the whole frog.

Click Ponds and Viera Wetlands

Sunset
Viera Wetlands
Brevard County, Florida

Enjoyed a short, early evening visit to the Viera Wetlands and Click Ponds this past weekend. Just a few of the regulars...



Great Blue Heron
Viera Wetlands



Looks like nesting time for the Great Blue Herons! The herons can be seen nesting on these palm trees each year.

Drying Anhinga
Viera Wetlands

Green Heron
Click Ponds

Blue-winged Teal Pair
Viera Wetlands

Double-crested Cormorant
Click Ponds

Belted Kingfisher
Viera Wetlands

Dinner with an Anhinga

My first thought was ...this Anhinga's eyes must be bigger than his stomach.

But...

I guess not...

Going...

Going...

Gone. That was impressive!

I wonder if he saved room for dessert...



Great Blue Herons



Great Blue Heron
Viera Wetlands



A beautiful day for a hike at the Viera Wetlands this morning! It seemed as if there was a reunion of the Great Blue Herons going on. We encountered them every where we looked! They seemed to be looking at us too.

The Great Blue Heron is the largest in the heron family, capable of reaching heights of nearly 4 1/2 feet.





 The Great Blue Heron's razor sharp bill is used to stab its prey.





The Great Blue Heron feeds by standing still in the water for long periods or by walking along the waterway or marshy vegetation. It enjoys dining on a variety of catches including fish, frogs, small mammals, and insects.

Eastern Meadowlark

The Eastern Meadowlarks were easy to locate while hiking at the Moccasin Island Tract/River Lakes Conservation area.
 

Eastern Meadowlark
Moccasin Island Tract

Their loud, meledious song alerts you to their position.



Eastern Meadowlark
Moccasin Island Tract


Their beautiful hue makes them difficult to miss!

Green Heron

Green Heron
Viera Wetlands, Florida

Perched secretly in the reeds, this Green Heron awaits its next meal.

Viera Wetlands




Viera Wetlands at dusk





The Viera Wetlands, located at the end of Wickham Rd. in Viera, Florida, is one of my favorite and most frequented birding locations. The loop can be explored on foot, by bike, or in the car. A typical visit allows for the viewing of many of the "regulars" that are found in abundance at anytime of the year. A few of these include Great Blue Herons, Tricolored Herons, Great White Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Sandhill Cranes, Pied-billed Grebes, American Coots, Common Moorhens, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Anhingas, and Osprey. Others that I've seen frequenting the wetlands on a fairly regular basis throughout the year include Bald Eagles, Crested Caracaras, a variety of Hawks, Black Crowned Night Herons, Green Herons, Limpkins, Red-winged Blackbirds, Belted Kingfishers, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Mottled Ducks, and Blue-winged Teals. Other wildlife found at the wetlands include deer, raccoons, alligators, turtles, snakes, and otters.



Black-bellied Whistling Ducks



Great Blue Heron

American Coot





Tricolored Heron



Snowy Egret

Anhinga

Sandhill Cranes

Mottled Duck



American Alligator