Brown Pelicans

Immature Brown Pelican
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Brown Pelicans are very common Florida birds, found here year round, frequenting the coastal waterways. Sebastian Inlet State Park is one of my favorite local spots to observe the pelicans. The inlets is highly frequented by fishermen and pelicans are always trying to befriend them. They often get too close. The pelicans here are not camera shy and often seem to be posing for photos. It's also a great place to practice trying to capture pelicans in action, which didn't go so well for me, but there is always next time. The majority of pelicans I saw on this visit were immature. 

Immature Brown Pelican
Sebastian Inlet State Park

This pelican thought something was really funny. Well, he looked like he was laughing.

Immature Brown Pelican
Sebastian Inlet State Park

That was quite a yawn!

Immature Brown Pelican
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Preening was a popular activity among this group of pelicans.

Immature Brown Pelican
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Nonbreeeding adult Brown Pelican
Rockledge, Fl

I took this photo of an adult Brown Pelican a few weeks ago on the Indian River Lagoon. 

Royal Terns

Royal Terns are large terns with orange, carrot shaped bills that are found along the coasts of Florida. I found this Royal Tern along the shore of the Indian River in central Florida. I see them here regularly, usually hanging out with some Laughing Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, and occasionally some Forster's Terns.

Royal Tern
Indian River Lagoon

I took a trip to Sebastian Inlet last weekend, hoping to see some Black Skimmers. While I didn't find the skimmers there that day, I did see numerous Royal Terns. There was a large flock on the north side of the park, most of which were catching some R & R on the beach. On the south side, I was able to watch several Royal Terns in action, diving for a meal in the inlet. Like alot of birds, I find them fascinating to watch.

Royal Tern
Sebastian Inlet State Park

This tern was conversing with a nearby Ring-billed Gull.

Ring-billed Gull
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Numerous terns joined the flock while I was observing the birds on the beach. They have quite an impressive wingspan.

Immature Royal Tern
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Terns forge both on their own as well as in a group. Royal Terns feed on mostly on small fish.

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

Boat-tailed Grackle

Boat-tailed Grackles are birds commonly found in Florida. They are also birds that most people don't give a second look. In the early morning sunlight, however, this bird's iridescent colors show off their beauty.

Boat-tailed Grackle
Titusville, Fl

He seemed to be admiring his own beauty in the water's reflection.

Boat-tailed Grackle
Viera, Fl

Viera Wetlands 01/07/12

The herons, egrets, and ducks as well as many other water birds were out in full force yesterday morning at the wetlands. Numerous songbirds could be heard throughout the area as well, with the Red-winged Blackbird's song being the most popular.

Male Red-winged Blackbird
Viera Wetlands

Male Red-winged Blackbird
Viera Wetlands

Female Red-winged Blakbird
Viera Wetlands

Limpkin
Viera Wetlands

This Limpkin was foraging at the wetlands for apple snails.

American Coot
Viera Wetlands

Coots are found by the hundreds at this time of the year. They typically stick close together, swimming and foraging in large flocks.

Ducks seen included Mottled, Northern Shoveler, Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked, and Blue-winged Teal. Nesting Great Blues, Little Blues, and Tricolored Herons as well as Great, Snowy, and Cattle Egret were also observed.

Road to Moccasin Island

A cold front passed through the area this week bringing with it most frigid temps we've experienced this season. I decided to take a drive and see how the birds were keeping warm. We drove the road to Moccasin Island out and back and were pleasantly surprised with the variety of birds that were out and about.

Belted Kingfisher

There were two Belted Kingfishers, about three trees apart from one another, watching the creek for an early morning snack.

Eastern Phoebe

This solitary Eastern Phoebe just seemed to be enjoying the sun.

Savannah Sparrow

Numerous Savannah Sparrows and Palm Warblers were perched along the way.

Palm Warbler

Cattle Egret

There were lots of Cattle Egrets among the cattle as well as along the road chasing down the crickets.

Red-shouldered Hawk

Turkey Vulture

This guy looked like he was daring me to try and steal his raccoon.

J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

I finally had a chance to visit the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge last week. It's located on the barrier island of Sanibel, Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. I've really wanted to visit here for quite some time and was not disappointed. I was only able to visit one day and was lucky to have  great weather that day! I made two trips through the Wildlife Drive, one early morning and one at low tide, which is reported to be the best time to visit. The crowds were quite large at low tide, so the early morning visit was much more enjoyable.

Great Egret
JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

This Great Egret decided to start early on his New Year's resolution to eat less.

Immature Little Blue Heron
JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

This immature Little Blue Heron was hoping to do better than the Great Egret.

Little Blue Heron
JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge 

This nicely hued fellow was fishing right next to his nonhued immature buddy.

Osprey
JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

The Osprey appeared to have really enjoyed his catch of the day. Good to the last bite!

White Pelicans
JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Apparently personal  space is an issue with this White Pelican.

Double Crested Cormorant
JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Through the crystal clear, shallow water I was actually able to watch this Cormorant swim underwater. Pretty cool.