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

Thursday (13-February-2014) — Florida

Gone to See America 2014 Road Trip. Day 13: Big Cypress National Preserve.

Snowy Egret, Wood Stork, and Immature White Ibis hunting for breakfast in Big Cypress National Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D700 camera and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 sec). Image converted to B&W with Capture One Pro 7.

Snowy Egret, Wood Stork, and Immature White Ibis at Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D700 and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 sec). Image converted to B&W with Capture One Pro 7. (David J Mathre)
Snowy Egret, Wood Stork, and Immature White Ibis at Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D700 and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 sec). Image converted to B&W with Capture One Pro 7. (David J Mathre)

Monday (03-February-2014) — Florida

Gone to See America 2014 Road Trip. Day 3: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Silhouette and Reflection of a White Ibis and Small Wading Bird Feeding at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera, FT1 adapter, and 70-200 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 160, 200 mm, f/4, 1/4000 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One 7 Pro. Image sharpening using Focus Magic 2.

Silhouette and Reflection of a White Ibis and Small Wading Bird Feeding at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera, FT1 adapter, and 70-200 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 160, 200 mm, f/4, 1/4000 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One 7 Pro. Image sharpening using Focus Magic 2. (David J Mathre)
Silhouette and Reflection of a White Ibis and Small Wading Bird Feeding at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera, FT1 adapter, and 70-200 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 160, 200 mm, f/4, 1/4000 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One 7 Pro. Image sharpening using Focus Magic 2. (David J Mathre)

Saturday (27-December-2008) — Florida

Gone to See Florida 2008 Road Trip Day 6: Birds and Reptiles at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

This was the first time that I visited Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. It is right next to (and is part of the John F. Kennedy Space Center). The wildlife viewing road can be closed during launches. Black Point Wildlife Drive is a target rich environment for viewing Florida wildlife. I have included a few images of birds (White Ibis, White Egret, Anhanga) and alligators. There was also a viewing station with telescopes set up to see a pair of American Bald Eagles building a nest.

White Ibis Fishing at Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve. Image taken with an Nikon D3x and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/8, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
White Ibis Fishing at Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve. Image taken with an Nikon D3x and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/8, 1/320 sec).  White Egret Fishing at Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve. Image taken with an Nikon D3x and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/8, 1/320 sec).