Careful Cropping
She was the star of the show with a contingent of chattering humans scattered below her high perch.
The wide band across her chest, the “belt”, identifies this as an adult female.
I found her beside Blackpoint Wildlife Drive overlooking wide open water marsh.
The limitations of my excellent equipment is frustrating in these situations. I made up for the lack of focal length by careful cropping.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Brevard County, Florida
not mistletoe
Spanish Moss is neither moss nor Spanish. Scientific name Tillandsia usneoides, this flowering plant is in the family Bromeliaceae that includes pineapple. Here it hangs from a cedar tree along Blackpoint Wildlife Drive.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Brevard County, Florida
Metaphorically Speaking
These birds are feeding from a march pool south of Blackpoint Wildlife Drive about 0.9 mile from the start. As such it is a backlit shot with the sun illuminating the White Ibis’ beak and the green legs of the Tricolored Heron (aka Louisiana Heron).
Both can use a spear-like beak to capture unwary prey.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Brevard County, Florida
Taking in the Sun
Blackpoint Wildlife Drive meanders through marsh environments where humans are just visitors.
Here the Alligator is the apex predator that will attack and eat the unwary tourist. This eight-foot monster, resting on a hummock 20 feet from the road, absorbed only sun. In town, it is on the menu.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Brevard County, Florida
Michael Stephen Wills Photography 