Merritt Island Christmas Bird Count

We did the Merritt Island Christmas Bird Count today. I haven't done this one for years. It was my very first CBC about 12 years ago. This is the count that changed my life actually - I had gone to an Audubon meeting, and this insanely handsome guy came in and said they needed help with the count. I signed up for the count, not having any idea what I was getting myself into, but hey he was really really handsome, I probably would have joined a doomsday cult if he'd asked. Anyway, I signed up for the count, and although I never actually saw him that day, and it took about 2 years, eventually he asked me out and the rest as they say, is history.  If you weren't brave enough to join us on the count, here's what you missed:

First bird that I saw today was a Red-shouldered Hawk. I have seen more of these this year than in any previous year, and they are so obliging, letting me take their picture.

A Yellow-rump Warbler. You only see the yellow rump when they moon you.

This is a terrible quality photo, but it told a story. Something about a Red-shouldered Hawk and a Red-bellied Woodpecker comparing notes on how neither of them really have red parts, and wondering how they got their names.

An Osprey. One thing I've notice since I got the new camera is the shape of birds in flight. Ospreys have this really cool shape to them.

I was goofing around to see how far away I can get pictures. This was a plane way way off in the distance. Pretty cool.

And here we have the reason for it all, my sweetie and HFC David, who is still insanely handsome.  Heck, anyone who can get me out of bed at 3:30 a.m. to count birds must be special!

The Christmas Bird Counts are the largest Citizen Scientist program in the world. Thousands of volunteers go out throughout the world doing these counts from Dec 14 through January 4. If you want to come out and help one of the local counts, contact me, or if you don't live in Florida, contact your local Audubon Society.

And remember, you can see cool pictures here, but you can only meet new friends (and maybe even a husband) if you GOYB and get outside!

Bok Tower Tour

We had a great tour of the Carillion at Bok Tower today. I had some camera issues (new user error) so didn't get any pictures inside, but here are some other pictures I got once I figured out the camera. If you didn't GOYB and join us, here's what you missed:

These are the "chirping birds" on the iron gates leading into the tower.

 This is the door to the tower. It weighs 700 pounds and takes 8 hours to polish, so we were told to keep our mitts off of it, lest we get punished by having to do the polishing next time.

 The pictures engraved in the door depict scenes from Genesis. Shown here is the creation myth.

The detail on the door is pretty amazing.

The tower is quite glorious. There are tons of bird and other nature carvings. I notice something new every time I go there.

 There were a ton of Zebra Longwings there.

Another Zebra Longwing.

A cool palm. The poofy thing in the middle looked like a muppet to me.

There were a ton of brilliant Poinsettias there too.

The tour we took inside the tower was for members only, but the publicly accessible tower and grounds are beyond amazing too. Make sure you come out and join us next time. You can only see pictures of the tower here, but you can only experience the glorious music and colors if you actually GOYB and join us!

Goodwin WMA and Broadmoor

Had an awesome trip out to Goodwin and Broadmoor today with David and a new friend, Terry. Here are some pictures from our grand day out!

First bird of the day was a Greater Yellowlegs who posed quite nicely for us.

The moon was still out when we started.

I love the way the dawn sunshine lit up this gorgeous Great Blue Heron.

Getting in practice for next week's bird counds. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

This beautiful Red-shouldered Hawk posed for us.

Deer, dear. And a Glossy Ibis.

It's hard to believe that this sweet little happy Shrike has the nick-name "The Butcher Bird".

Woo-hoo! The first of 3 life birds for me today. An American Bittern, which I had seen but never photographed before.

Another lifer! A Redhead.

A While Pelican. There was just something silly or slightly drunk looking about his expression.

My final lifer of the day, a Purple Swamphen. I saw one of these in south Florida a million years ago, back when David and I were dating, but I was shooting film back then, and couldn't find the picture.

As always, was a great time out there, hope you will join us out there some day!

Sebastian Inlet

Did an impromptu trip out to Sebastian Inlet this morning. Got some interesting pictures, there is always something to see out there.

We have a rare Greater Cormorant visiting here from the north.

 Compare and contrast the Greater Cormorant on the left, with the Double Crested Cormorant on the right. Note the differences in the beak, plumage, and overall size.

 I love this Woodstork pose. He looks like those pictures you see of teenage girls who always do that weird pose with one bent leg that is supposed to show off something but I'm not quite sure what.

Look at his face close up. Looks like he could use some Eucerin and chap stick!

 Check out this close up of his legs they almost look scaly, like a snake at the top.

This is another interesting group shot of white and brown pelicans, greater and double crested cormorant, and a great blue heron.

2 pelicans just hanging.

"Hey Marge, that guy is totally checking you out."

"Oh man, I hope he doesn't come over here I can't stand him, he..."

 "Well, Helllooooo ladies.... You look like you need the company of a real man..."

4 Pelicans looking artsy.

 "You put your right foot in..."

"...then you shake it all about..."

A Herring Gull. Not an exciting bird from a distance, but their plumage is quite pretty up close.

Another interesting comparison shot of Black Skimmers with a Ring Billed Gull, a Laughing Gull, and a Royal Tern.

Twas a fun but cold day out there on the beach, and it's finally stopped raining. Yay!

Last Manatee Watch of November

Had a fairly quiet manatee watch today, just 4 manatees. Saw a few birds. But time spent out in nature is still way better than being inside! If you didn't GOYB and join me, here's what you missed.

 There was a whole herd of wild turkeys out there. This is the first half decent shot of a wild turkey that I have ever gotten.

 They were pretty obliging, let me take a few pix.

There were 4 manatees, all feeding on this icky mixture of dead fish and the grass and trash that was coming over the dam. I have never seen them feed this close to the dam before.

This picture made me laugh. The perspective makes him look like he's wearing a crown.

My favorite picture of the day. They have such pretty feathers in flight.

Don't forget, I do manatee watches every Thursday and Sunday, come out and join me, even if you don't care about manatees, there is always a bunch of stuff to see out there!

First Manatee Watch with New Camera

I did my first manatee watch with the new camera today. I need some practice, but here are my shots. Given how warm it was, I was surprised at the number of manatees out there. If you didn't GOYB and join us, here's what you missed.

Sadly, one of the ways that manatees are identified is by their scars, many from run ins with motor boats. This one's scars were healed, but they must have hurt at one time.

This is the first young Turkey Vulture I've ever gotten a picture of. Notice the lighter color head.

There was a gator swimming around with the manatees. They all seemed to get along.

Also a few turtles out there.

A few comorants.

And manatees! There were 3 feeding right in close.

It's amazing what a difference a long lens makes. I never realized how vaguely obscene their snouts can be.

Another view.

Of course, all 3 of these came in right after we finished the survey, but I noted them on the paperwork.

Be sure to join us for a survey, we go out ever Thursday and Sunday. Remember to check my schedule too for other events, you can see cool pictures here, but you can't experience it until you GOYB!