Blue-winged Teal at Viera Wetlands by Lee

This last Monday we made a 90 mile trip over to the Titusville area. We visited the Viera Wetlands and the Brevard Zoo and then on Tuesday we drove up to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge before heading back home.

Tricolored Heron Viera Wetlands by Lee

Things did not go as planned, but we had a great trip anyway. To begin with, when we got our cameras out at Viera Wetlands, Dan’s did not work. So he was without a camera for the whole trip. (Bummer!)

Great Blue Heron Viera Wetlands – Bad Hair Day

It was windy, overcast and the birds, what few there were of them, were staying low. Did get a great shot of a “wind-blown” Great Blue Heron. It definitely was having a “bad hair day.”

Hooded Merganser Viera Wetlands behind reeds with hood up.

Hooded Merganser Viera Wetlands in clear with hood down.

After a nice lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, we ducked into the Brevard Zoo for a couple of hours. Got a few nice photos, since Dan used my camera to get through the fences for me. I shoot in Program mode, so I take lots of pictures of fences and cages and few photos occasionally of the birds. (As you can tell by the two photos above)

Wrinkled Hornbill female Brevard Zoo by Dan thru the cage

I captured a photo of the male at the first visit to the Brevard Zoo.

Wrinkled Hornbill (Aceros corrugatus) Brevard Zoo by Lee

The next morning we drove up to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge to the 7 mile Black Point Drive. There were only four cars, counting ours, on the whole drive. Again, it was windy, which we thought was supposed to be less than the day before.

Reddish Egret MINWR Black Pt Drv by Lee crop

There were not many ducks or birds of that type. We found out from one of them driving around that the salt level is too high, thus the lack of ducks. Usually this time of the year, there are plenty to see. We did manage to find some Hooded Mergansers with some American Avocets (rare for me).

Hooded Merganser and American Avocet MINWR Black Pt Drv by Lee crop

Not to be discouraged, we found other birds to view and see an alligator about 12 feet long. That is one of the joys of going on a birdwatching adventure. You never know what you will see or not see. It is alway different. Even going to a zoo with the same birds, there is always something interesting to see. The Lord gives us:

The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24 NASB)

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See:
Viera Wetlands

• http://www.brevardcounty.us/NaturalResources/EnvironmentalResources/Wetlands
• http://floridabirdingtrail.com/index.php/trip/trail/Ritch_Grissom_Memorial_Wetlands_at_Viera_aka_Viera_Wetlands/
• http://floridanatureguide.com/2012/viera-wetlands/

Brevard Zoo

Black Point Drive – MINWR

• http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/Drive.html
• http://www.nbbd.com/godo/minwr/BlackPoint/
• http://titusville.com/Page.asp?NavID=285
• Images

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