These photo groupings reflect my love of bird watching ~ and are chosen from my photo files, all previously published on this blog. Birding is something I've not done in recent months as living in the heart of downtown, high up in a 16th floor apartment, birds are not a common sight. Oh, an occasional migrating flock may pass by, but that's only a rare pleasure, not to be photographed.
The first two montages below are from the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River, north of the Kennedy Space Center. Merritt Island and Cocoa, Florida were my home for over 20 years. Driving, biking or walking along Blackpoint Drive in the refuge, one sees all kinds of water birds and whether at dawn, midday or twilight, different species will be out to hunt for fish in the ever changing waterways shallow or deep. It is a beautiful and natural place, never quite the same, worth visiting over and over. By the way, there are an abundance of "wingless critters" in the waters as well, so when you walk, do so with caution and shoes on.
Before moving into my current apartment, I lived with family elsewhere in Maryland and we all enjoyed "backyard birding" (well, front yard, too). The feeding stations were filled from October through late March, encouraging all the birds to seek food from nature's bounty in the warmer months, though many would squawk at this and hang around for weeks after. And yes, there was always the inevitable battle with the squirrels (or as Chester would say, the evil squirrel cartel!), and often they came out on top. The top of the feeders, we mean!
The two montages below are photographs from those many days, of all the visitors. Every one a delight to see. Especially perhaps the hawk who spent maybe an hour, happily lunching up high, undisturbed, and I was able to get an entire series of photos of him. And the pileated woodpeckers, not one but two, feasting on some old ant-filled dying logs found in the back of the yard. As majestic as both of these birds are, my favorite was always the little "downy", patient and shy, always waiting his turn, until the bigger boys had their fill and flew away.
And not to forget one very special bird, our very own Kismet.
Even though Kismet has not been able to post recently due to technical blogging issues ~
I'm quite sure you've noticed that she often shows up as a visitor on your blog leaving her amusing squawks!
So, let's all return the "favor" and drop a few sunflower seeds for her today, squawk back at either of the links below!
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