Pic of the Day

American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus: 

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge near Titusville, Florida

     I have seen many American Bitterns over my birding career, but seldom have I seen them out in the open like this bird I found along the Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.   Most bitterns I see are hidden or partially hidden within the reed beds.

       This image was taken just after sunrise, just as sunlight began to ripple over a water impoundment berm of the refuge drive.  As the slight glow of light on the bittern began to intensify it quickly turned and walked back into the mangroves to escape the brunt of the morning light.

       A beautiful bird, the American Bittern is created to blend into its natural environment.  It striations of white, cream, cinnamon, and browns make this species the king of camouflage.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4,  Exposure 1/80^th second @ f/5.6

White Ibis, Eudocimus albus; 

Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR near Titusville, Florida

     On December 21^st of 2017 I was making my last round through Merritt Island NWR when I came across a feeding frenzy of egrets, herons, pelicans, spoonbills, Ibises and much more.  It was quite an incredible event, and I feel so fortunate to have stumbled upon the scene in such good light.

     Birds that were not feeding were soaring in all different direction.  It was difficult to find just one bird out of the mass to lock onto, but I happened to capture this White Ibis as it was gliding in for a landing with a few hundred other feeding birds in the refuge marshes. 

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/2500 @ f/8

Pic of the Day

Spoonbill in Pastels

Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja:  Black Point Wildlife Drive, 

Merritt Island NWR near Titusville, Florida

     This photo was taken on a very cool morning right before sunrise.  The clouds in the western sky were glowing pink from the light of the rising sun.  Their reflection in the water provided a perfect match for the tones of the spoonbills feathers.  The pastel colors certainly give the image a light and soft feel.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/200 second @ f/7.1

Pic of the Day

Wood Stork, Mycteria americana:

Black Point Wildlife Drive; Merritt Island NWR

      A Wood Stock on a beautifully clear morning at Merritt Island NWR's Black Point Wildlife Drive stirring in the shallows for a fish.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/2000 second @ f/8

Pic of the Day

White Ibis, Eudocimus albus:

Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR

     I recently made another, quick trip to Merritt Island NWR.  Though the birds were not as plentiful as the trip I made right before Thanksgiving, they were still pretty good.  I shot this White Ibis right after it had finished its early morning feeding soiree.  It had been preening, but I took this shot as it moved into a clean background.

Great Blue Heron, Ardea hernias:

Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR

     This Great Blue was shot shortly after photographing the White Ibis above.  It was still fishing when I came across it at the backside of the refuge.  I do like the posturing in this image.  It gives the bird intent of action, and the concentric circles in the water certainly draws attention to that action.

Top:  Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/2000 second @ f/9

Bottom:  Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/1600 second @ f/10

Pic of the Day

White Ibis, Eudocimus albus:

Black Point Wildlife Drive; Merritt Island NWR near Titusville, Florida

Nikon D800, Nikor 500mm f/4, 1/1250 @ f/9

Pic of the Day

Snowy Egret, Egretta thula:

Black Point Wildlife Drive; Merritt Island NWR near Titusville, Florida

     One of the things I had a great time doing on my recent trip to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was photographing backlit egrets.  This Snowy Egret was shot late in the day while driving around Black Point Wildlife Drive.  The sun low on the horizon produced a beautiful rim light while the clean background isolated the bird. 

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/800 second @ f/9