On a cold morning in January, it isn't surprising to find alligators sunning themselves in the drainage ditches along the roadsides. This one is probably around 12' long.
In fact, the ditches are filled with wading birds such as this immature white ibis.
The brighter sun of mid-morning reflects off the feathers of this tricolored heron, giving him a more slatey-gray appearance.
My favorite bird of this morning's walk, however, is this youngish looking wood stork, who stood still as I worked to frame just the right shot. He glanced over his shoulder just before I left, as if to say, "Goodbye; it's about time."
As I headed toward Playalinda Beach, I stopped at the Haulover Canal, where these black vultures were tearing into the carcass of a fish apparently thrown away by a couple of fishermen who had their boat anchored nearby. The feeding was orderly, with challenges handled quickly and without fuss.
Just before reaching Playlinda I stopped at the Visitor's Center where, in the branches of a nearby oak, this red shouldered hawk was keeping company with a group of yellow throated warblers and hairy woodpeckers.
This link will take you to more pictures (p. 3) from January of 2006 on Merritt Island:
Playalinda Beach, turnstones, ringbilled gulls and more!
