So far into the new year Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge has continued to be VERY active. There has been a good population of roseate spoonbills, america avocets, eagles, and all sorts of ducks. Let me see if I can list some of the ducks in good numbers, american widgeons, northern shovelers, pintails, hooded mergansers, ring-necked, lesser scaup and blue-winged teals, oh and also mallards.
This year we had a rare appearance of the horned grebe in winter, non breeding plumage. The reddish egrets are back also in great numbers along with the white morphs. The last time I was out there, I had six reddish egrets along with two white morphs fishing in front of me. Most of my visits have been along Black Point Drive, which is always a good place to start your visit.
There is a new $5.00 fee per day for Black Point Drive and a few of the other roads, or a seasons pass for $15.00. Do not hesitate! It is for a good cause and is well worth it for seeing some of Florida’s avian treasures!
All images are copyrighted by Nancy Elwood and Naturesportal.
Nancy Elwood
Nancy Elwood is a Florida based professional nature and wildlife photographer. Her interest in the natural world started as a child reading and watching National Geographic. After graduating from Florida State University School of Nursing, she developed her interest in photography travelling with several National Geographic photographers to Africa, Antarctica and the Falkland Islands. With them she started to hone her skills in capturing natures wonders through a camera lens. Nancy now, when not in the field, shows her work in juried art shows and runs photography workshops.
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