This beautiful blue  scrub jay is very uncommon but if you know where to find them, they are very curious and will come and visit.  They are found in scrub and low oaks in central Florida.

I was recently at Merritt Island in Florida and discovered this Black Skimmer zipping along on the water surface of one of the inland canals.  Their behavior is as unique as  their appearance.  They have scissors-like red bill and their lower bill is much longer than the upper bill.  They skim along the surface, scooping fish into this brightly colored bill.  As I followed this bird in flight, it dove under the surface and tucked it’s head under as it came back up above the surface.  I have no idea what purpose this head tucking  behavior serves.  If you know about this behavior, please share with me!

This large sandpiper is a shore bird that looks just like all the other shorebirds, very nondescript until it takes off in flight. In fight, this bird has a bold black and white wing pattern with a white tail that sets it apart from all the other shorebirds and it’s song sounds just like it’s name!

The Lesser Yellowlegs is very gregarious and chatty and surprise has long yellow legs. I photographed this one landing in a shallow pool at Merritt Island, Florida.

This Egret, the White Morph of the Reddish Egret is rare so I feel fortunate to have photographed this one at Merritt Island National Wilflife Refuge, on the East coast of Florida. They are strikingly beautiful and are distinguished from other Egrets by their light eyes, pink bill with black tip and blue legs. Their feeding “dance” is exactly the same as the dark morph Reddish Egret, however this one did not display any feeding behavior while I watched. He DID pose for me though!