Birding Merritt Island - November 22, 2015

Another great day at Merritt Island on Blackpoint Drive.  I saw 46 species on Blackpoint and listed here on Ebird. 

Many wintering migrant species including ducks, white pelicans, and more!  Pictured below are spoonbill, reddish egret, kingfisher, juvenile night heron, savannah sparrow, gadwall, white pelican, turkey vulture, caspian tern, osprey, bald eagle, woodstork, coot and cardinal.

Also saw a box turtle in the middle of the road--only my forth one for Florida!  Others were at Mead Garden (Orlando 2013), Fort DeSoto (St. Pete 2015), and HWY 54 (Pasco County2010?). I helped him to cross and then took a couple photos:)

Krider's Hawk & Harrier, Merritt Island - November 22, 2015

This white-morph of the red-tailed hawk has a special name, "Krider's Hawk".  Odd enough to see that, but he was also being attacked by a northern harrier!

Views from Blackpoint Drive, Merritt Island - November 22, 2015

Nice-looking day again today with the storm clouds still around.  Here are some of my landscape shots for the day.

Parrish Park - November 22, 2015

Added a few more species at this park near Merritt Island NWR yesterday and today, the best being a great black-backed gull on the bridge over the park. These are some sanderlings taking a bath.

Freeplay Pinball - November 21, 2015

Got to play some old pinball machines after the parks in Orlando this weekend.  Good mixture of nature and city overall.

Storm at Daytona Shores - November 21, 2015

Went here to look for the Franklin's gulls seen recently.  However, I wasn't able to walk the beach because they were about to close it for the storm, due to lightning.  I went back a couple times, but the rain wouldn't let up!