February 24, 2017- Brittany and I started out our vacation stopping at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, FL. This stop was my idea, but after learning we could stay in the car and drive around the refuge while staying in the car she was excited. She drove while I sat in the passenger seat and photographed the wildlife. The refuge was surrounded by incredible looks at herons, egrets, waterfowl, and even alligators. At the end of the wildlife loop we were treated to a gorgeous sunset at the end of the day.
This Tri-colored Heron met us at the beginning of the wildlife loop. After sitting in the trees and giving us great looks it flew down into the water to start hunting.
Several Pied-billed Grebes surrounded the parks usually by themselves in the smaller enclosed parts of the refuge.
We had great views at many Little Blue Herons but this one just sat in the trees and let me take several amazing photos.
Brittany's favorite part was the two American Alligators that we spotted in the refuge.
Probably the most numerous species in the refuge were American Coots. Hundreds of them surrounded the refuge in large groups. Several Common Gallinules were mixed in with large groups of Coots.
I've always had trouble getting good photos of flying Wood Storks, but this is the best one I've ever had.
Snowy Egrets were very common along the isolated trenches in the refuge.
We had a great view of this Northern Shoveler. Earlier in the trip I saw several groups out in the distance but this isolated individual was close enough to get some great shots.
This sunset was absolutely stunning at the end of the drive. It was a fantastic way to end the day!
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