JAN. 7, 2012, SLAS FIELD TRIP REPORT
MERRITT ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Photographers quickly learn that the quality of the light available for photography is one of the most important factors in creating great photos. Saturday, January 7, at Merritt Island, was one of those days when all the conditions were just about perfect for viewing and photographing birds.

Twenty-one participants on the St Lucie Audubon Field Trip to see 84 species of birds at Merritt Island and Viera Wetlands will certify to the beauty of birds displayed in mirror still waters, often at close range. Roseate Spoonbills and American Avocets, in particular, presented exquisite viewing opportunities. Reddish Egrets, including one in the rarely seen white morph, danced and canopy fed in dazzling light, and the thousands of ducks and coots all were seen at their absolute best and in their brightest colors

Horned Grebes, five different birds, swam and dove so close to shore that participants could take full frame photos with camera phones. These were the first Horned Grebes seen on a St Lucie Audubon trip in at least five years. Also unusual were the two Common Loons seen at Parrish Park on the way out to the Island, a female Ruddy Duck, and a female Bufflehead. Several, (yes, several!)

American Bitterns were very accommodating and did not quickly disappear into the weeds as they usually do. Soaring American White Pelicans, Bald Eagles, White Ibis and Roseate Spoonbills all gleamed against a bright blue sky. A staked-out Great Horned Owl on a nest in the open looked unconcerned with the large number of people observing her egg incubating duties.

Perhaps the most unique experience of the day went to a new birder on her very first ever field trip when a Florida Scrub Jay came and landed on her hand. Fortunately, the event was documented by a couple of photographers. (Click for a larger version of this photo by Arlene Brooks.)

The trip ended with a late afternoon dinner at Mimi’s Café in Viera, which apparently is becoming one of the highlights of this annual trip. A complete bird list follows with many photos below that.

Total Species:    84     V  -  Viera Wetlands      MI  -  Merritt Island NWR

CLICK FOR LARGER VERSIONS. Photos by Hart Rufe, except as noted

American Avocets	American Bittern	American White Pelican	Caspian Tern
	Great Horned Owl	Horned Grebe	Lesser Scaup
Northern Pintail	Northern Shoveler (Elsa Millard)	Reddish Egret	Reddish Egret, immature (Elsa Millard)
Ring-billed Gull	Ring-billed Gull, juvenile (Elsa Millard)	Ruddy Duck	Willet (Elsa Millard)