Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Visit to Merritt Island

White Ibis

On Tuesday, March 15, I visited with Edward James (pictured on the left), a Professor of History from England and Ireland, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge near Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center.
Edward and I drove pretty much every dirt road in this wonderful refuge.  As the collected photographs indicate, while we did not see an American Avocet, our trip produced some exceptional results, from River Otters to Roseate Spoonbills, from Reddish Egrets to Ruddy Turnstones.
 
I had not seen Black Skimmers for quite a few years, so getting the photographs of their landing in mirror-slick water provided quite a thrill.

And White and Glossy Ibises gave the day additional elegance, making my first return in around fifteen years memorable

I have never gotten to the area for a shuttle or other missile launch but have always marveled at all the shore birds, herons, and egrets in the area.  

Enjoy the photographs.




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