Merritt Island in November

November 8, 2023 · Merritt Island NWR, Florida · Warm, calm, 72°F at dawn, building haze · Fujifilm X-T5, 150-600mm

Drove out on Black Point Wildlife Drive at 6:15. The refuge opens early and the light on the water is good for about ninety minutes. Waders were piled on every pond — tricolored herons, reddish egrets dancing, roseate spoonbills in small groups, and a few American White Pelicans already down for the winter. Anhingas drying wings on every mangrove island. I spent more time than I meant to on a single Reddish Egret with the perfect white-phase feather.

Mosquitoes were manageable with a decent head net and deet.

White reddish egret dancing in shallow water — White phase. The dancing makes it. Two minutes of frames. Reddish Egret, white phase 500mm, 1/1000s, f/8, ISO 800

Dark reddish egret mid-lunge — Dark phase across the pond a minute later. Reddish Egret, dark phase 350mm, 1/1600s, f/8, ISO 1000

Tricolored heron in flight — Lifting off at the first edge of sunlight. Tricolored Heron 400mm, 1/1600s, f/8, ISO 640

Roseate spoonbill feeding in shallows — Pink, ridiculous, and hard to mess up. Roseate Spoonbill 500mm, 1/1000s, f/6.3, ISO 800

White pelican on dark water — Small group came in from the east. American White Pelican 500mm, 1/1000s, f/6.3, ISO 640

Anhinga drying wings on mangrove — Ten different anhingas doing the same pose. Anhinga 350mm, 1/1250s, f/7.1, ISO 800

Black-necked stilt in shallow water — Stilt in a shallow flat on the back loop. Black-necked Stilt 150mm, 1/1000s, f/7.1, ISO 800

Alligator with eyes above water — About eight feet. Stayed very still. Alligator 300mm, 1/2000s, f/6.3, ISO 1250

Wide view of Black Point Wildlife Drive — Typical scene from the drive. Black Point Drive 23mm, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 400

Great blue heron at dawn — Standard GBH, good light. Great Blue Heron 450mm, 1/2000s, f/8, ISO 1250

Palm warbler on reeds — On the walkable section past Gator Creek. Palm Warbler 300mm, 1/1250s, f/6.3, ISO 800