A Full-time Life

MORE FROM MERRITT

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These are some more of our sightings from Merritt Island the first of this month.

 

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 We were not lucky enough to meet any expert birders on this trip, so I studied our books and Internet pictures for those birds we couldn't immediately identify.    Self-education does not always work though, so suggestions and corrections are always welcome.

 

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Because of the pink  legs, I think the bird in the first picture and in the collage above is a Tri-Colored Heron in Adult Breeding mode.  It is the only heron I could find that has pink legs. 

I'm pretty sure that the bird below is a Glossy Ibis.

      

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 But only pretty sure.  

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And below, finally, one I am finally absolutely 100 percent sure of.  Because nobody who has ever seen one  could be confused about the  Roseate Spoonbill.   

 

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The spoonbill has to be my favorite Florida bird!  It's fun to watch them forage as they fish by sweeping  that spatula-shaped bill from side-to-side through the shallow water.   One of my photo hopes is to someday get a decent flight-shot of these birds.   They are lovely to see against the blue sky.

 

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This post is linked to Eileen's SATURDAY CRITTERS; to Annie's BIRD D'POT;  to Judith's MOSAIC MONDAY; and to Stewart's WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.    Thank you to each of these hosts for providing these sharing opportunities.  

 

 

We appreciate all visitors and commenters! Thank you.

47 responses to “MORE FROM MERRITT”

  1. Joe Todd

    Will be in New Smyrna Beach next Jan. if all goes well.. We will have to check out Merritt..

  2. Stewart M

    Great shots – and as far as I know your IDs are correct – but its always ‘good’ to have an expert in hand!
    Cheers – Stewart M – Melbourne

  3. Frank (UK)

    Well done Sallie .. a lovely set of images.

  4. Mick

    Great photos and all the birds are beautiful but the Roseate Spoonbills are especially so!

  5. Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti

    The spoonbills are such an unusual bird –I ahve never seen one in real life.

  6. Judith @ Lavender Cottage

    I see our birding blogging sister Eileen has helped with your bird IDs. I’ve been known to email her a photo before a blog post so I can document the name.
    I’m going to try and spot a spoonbill in Florida next year, such pretty colouring and I do hope you capture your desire of one in flight Sallie.
    Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.

  7. Donna@Gardens Eye View

    That Spoonbill is so cool

  8. Eileen

    Sallie, I see that Anni mentioned it is the White-faced Ibis, but the Glossy Ibis face is also outlined or bordered in white.. It can be confusing, now I am not sure. I am not how often the White-faced Ibis would show up in Florida.

  9. Lady Fi

    What great shots. Love that pink rosebill!

  10. Linda

    It would be so fun to see these lovely birds in real life!
    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

  11. Rajesh

    Great shots of birds from Merrit Island.

  12. Debbie

    ooooo you had me at critters, with long, beautiful legs!!! i just adore these guys, the spoonbill especially, as i don’t see them here!!!!

  13. Lavender Dreams

    The Spoonbill is so much fun to see and we are still learning to id many of the other birds. We took some funny pics of Ibis in a parking lot yesterday. It’s nice to have lots of photos to share, isn’t it? Enjoy your week! Hugs, Diane

  14. Jenn Jilks

    I know what you mean! Just when you think it’s a cooper’s hawk (after two opinions), you find a better expert who says it is a Sharp-shinned! Sigh.
    Beautiful photos!

  15. Mary

    Amazing birds and wonderful shots!

  16. Halcyon

    What fantastic bird shots! Even without an “expert”, it’s fun to birdwatch. 🙂

  17. Ratty

    Spoonbills are extra interesting to me because I only saw one for the first time this year. I find all big birds like these in your pictures to be fascinating.

  18. bettyl - NZ

    It’s good to learn things yourself, but having some help is always good. I love your photos–these are birds I will probably never see for myself.

  19. orchid

    Dearest Sallie; In my area, I don’t have such varieties of birds which need deep consulting with PC♡♡♡ Happy to read you got comments from your friends answering for your bird’s name♪　I remember impressed by the pinkish colored spoonbill with its name describes so well for the bird 🙂 　
    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

  20. laura

    beautiful florida birds!! i love the reflection in your first shot!

  21. Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin'

    …maybe in Florida, they call them glossy ibis. Here in Texas they’re white faced ibis.

  22. Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin'

    No, this is not a glossy ibis…It’s a white faced ibis…in breeding colors. The white around the eyes is a tell tale sign. Go go google type in white faced ibis and it’ll show you the difference between the two.
    Fantastic photos!!

  23. Ruby

    Lovely shots of beautiful birds. Because of the colours the spoonbill may have nowhere to hide….but it looks spectacular!

  24. Carver

    I love your shots of the water birds!

  25. Gunilla

    Beautiful birds all of them! Have a great day!

  26. bj

    Gosh…your photos are AWESOME..very nice and I am lovin’ the last one..the spoonbill…what a pretty bird.

  27. ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©

    Lovely shots!
    ~

  28. Ramblingwoods

    I knew that Eileen would know. Beautiful!

  29. Aimee

    I sure love the beautiful coloring of the spoonbill! Wishing you great luck on getting an in-flight pix of one:):)
    Blessings, Aimee

  30. Amy

    I love seeing wildlife from around the world…the herons in the top photo, think we get those here too.

  31. NatureFootstep

    sometiems I wish we had this kind if birds in Sweden. But they don´t like it this far north. We only have the Grey Heron.

  32. Sue St Clair

    These are all great pics especially the last set of the spoon-billed cutie 🙂 I am not very good at IDing birds so cannot be of much help that way, but I do appreciate your photos. Cheers!

  33. Margaret Birding For Pleasure

    You did well to ID them and all great photographs

  34. Yogi

    I admire your courage to tackle id’ing the birds.

  35. Mary Howell Cromer

    I must remember to think upon this place to visit one day. Your shares have shown much to view and photograph with great beauty!

  36. Ida P. Krause

    How cool to see all these different birds. The Spoonbill is fascinating.

  37. Dianne

    I too love the beautiful Spoonbill.

  38. Fotolosopher

    I think you are right about all three…but I’m not sure, either. Well, the first is definitely a heron and who cannot recognize the beautiful spoonbills? Delightful post of our Florida avians!

  39. Barb

    The spoonbill is like a cartoon bird – I love it. I also like the coloring on the heron. Will you soon head west?

  40. Adam Jones

    What a wonderful selection of birds.

  41. HAZEL

    I love the more unusual poses especially.
    (After a long spell of warm weather, it is back to winter clothing, wind and rain in UK Midlands!).

  42. Marie-AZ

    Such awesome birds! great shots of them. Love that roseate too!

  43. TexWisGirl

    i’d agree with you. would love to see a tri-color in person! that blue breeding mode is impressive!

  44. Sondra-SC

    I agree too its not always easy to figure out what you’re seeing. Lovely shots of some lovely birds!!

  45. diane

    I’m like you . Like to photograph birds but don’t know their names. You have done well here. The spoonbill sure is a beaty.

  46. DeniseinVA

    These are very enjoyable photos Sallie. How wonderful to be able to see them so often. Have a great weekend 🙂

  47. Eileen

    Hello, Sallie. I think you are right on with your id’s. Great captures of the Tri-colored heron, Glossy Ibis and the pretty Spoonbill. Thank you so much for linking up, have a happy weekend!

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