Tuesday (25-November-2014) — Florida

Florida Road Trip 2014: Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge.

I only had a few hours through drive Black Point Wildlife drive in Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge before being hit by really heavy rain. There were not as many birds as I have seen before. I did see the top of the head and eyes of one alligator.

White Ibis, Great Egret, and Snowy Egret. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 500, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)
White Ibis, Great Egret, and Snowy Egret. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 500, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)
Alligator Eyes. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 2800, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)
Alligator Eyes. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 2800, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)n

Four-Years Ago (12-June-2010) — Florida

Summer Wildlife in Florida. Fort De Soto Park in St. Petersburg.

Great Egret taking off at Fort De Soto County Park in St. Petersburg. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec).

Great Egret Taking Off at Ft. Desoto Park in St. Petersburg, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)
Great Egret Taking Off at Ft. Desoto Park in St. Petersburg, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)

Wednesday (05-February-2014) — Florida

Gone to See America 2014 Road Trip Day 5. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Great Egret coming in to visit a Snowy Egret. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge along Black Point Wildlife Drive. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 300 mm f/4G lens (ISO 140, 300 mm, f/4, 1/1250 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro 7.

Great Egret Coming in to Visit a Snowy Egret. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 300 mm f/4G lens (ISO 140, 300 mm, f/4, 1/1250 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro 7. (David J Mathre)
Great Egret Coming in to Visit a Snowy Egret. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 300 mm f/4G lens (ISO 140, 300 mm, f/4, 1/1250 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro 7. (David J Mathre)

Tuesday (04-February-2014) — Florida

Gone to See America 2014 Road Trip. Day 4: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Ringed-Billed Gull calling out like a wolf for its friends to join in harassing a Great Egret with a ish too big to swallow. Biolab Road in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). I came back to the same spot several hours later, and the Great Egret was still trying to swallow the fish. It finally got it part way down its neck, but then the Great Egret didn’t look like it could fly.

Ringed-Billed Gull Calling out like a Wolf for its Friends. (David J Mathre)
Ringed-Billed Gull Calling out like a Wolf for its Friends to Join in Harassing a Great Egret with a Big Fish. (David J Mathre)

Six-Years Ago (27-December-2007) — Florida

Gone to See America. December 2007 Florida Road Trip. Day 6: St. Petersburg.

OK, I Caught This Fish Fair and Square — Leave Me Alone. Fort Desoto Park, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/11, 1/200 sec).

OK, I Caught This Fish Fair and Square -- Leave Me Alone.
Great Egret with a fish. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/11, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)