Pic of the Day

Egrets, spoonbills and ibises at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

near Titusville, Florida

     One week ago today I was at Merritt Island NWR photographing birds.  I found this feeding frenzy of wading birds along the Black Point Wildlife Drive just before sunrise.  Using my van as a blind the birds paid no attention to my presence and went about their feeding activity.  I don't often shoot birds with a wide-angle lens, but I must admit that I do love the scene here with so many birds spread across the landscape.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 24mm f/2.8, 1/80 second @ f/7.1

Pic of the Day

Courting Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja:

Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge near Titusville, Florida

Pic of the Day

Strutting Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja:

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge near Titusville, Florida

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

Pic of the Day

     Snowy Egret and White Ibis – Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge; Titusville, Florida:  I love early morning light and this image was shot just as the sun crossed the horizon of sunrise.  A thin cloud slightly diffused the light, yet maintained its brilliance while striking the subject. 

     The snowy egret and white ibis were forging together as the sun was rising.   At every opportunity the egret attempted to snatch prey captured by the ibis.  The egrets movements were kept in perfect step with the ibis, which made this duo appear to have a choreographed dance across the water.  

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/320 second @ f8

Pic of the Day

 White Ibis – A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway; Titusville, Florida:  This trip was certainly the year for photographing ibis.  Ibis seemed to be everywhere and were very photographable.  This ibis was photographed on the causeway that leads from Titusville to Cape Canaveral just before entering the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.  I stopped along the causeway to photograph gulls, but the sky was overcast and the images looked very dull.  Soon, the sun began to break through the clouds and the birds on the causeway came alive.  All of a sudden, birds began to appear from all directions to feed in the shallows of the Indian River. 
   As I shot images of gulls, an ibis flew onto the scene and began searching for prey.  It was not long until it was pulling horseshoe crabs out of the water.  The antics of the ibis were most interesting. With each catch the ibis would toss the crab into the air, catch it with its beak, then crunch down breaking the crabs shell.   The tossing and crunching continued for about forty-five seconds per crab.  Once broken and cracked to the ibis’ satisfaction, the crab went down its gullet. The gulls that were ever present stayed close to the ibis and continually tried to snatch its catch…..to no avail.

Nikon D300, 500mm f4, Digital Capture ISO 200, 1/2500 sec. @ f6.3