Spring Break

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - The birds are on vacation.

Some Colorful Characters

MERRITT ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - - It was a good day at MINWR, as a check of Lydia's blog (click on link) explains. It was our first sighting of an Eastern Meadowlark (above) and a large group of the scarcer variety of Ibis, the Glossy version (below). Note the white outline around the face.
Lydia has posted a great pic of this eagle in flight. The huge and heavy 600mm lens I was working with doesn't lend itself to quick movements, but use a mono pod and have subjects like the Ibis and the Eagle not trying to fake you out with moves and you can get some good shots. The yellow-belly at top was caught with a shorter lens in a shoot quickly before the bird takes off situation.

A closer look at the shuttle booster rocket separation

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - A closer look at the booster rocket separation on the Discovery space shuttle launch. The shot above is just seconds before booster rocket separation. The shot below has been really blown up so it's easier to see the shuttle head onward as the boosters flame begin to flame out.

Space Shuttle Discovery: up, up and away

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - The night time launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery was quite spectacular. Normally, the shuttle's trajectory does not take it on a route towards (or so it seemed) our neck of the woods. Usually, the shuttle's path takes it more directly out over the ocean. This was our gain, along with near perfect weather. The launch was just after sunset with the shuttle visible for about 4 minutes. Above, the shuttle streaks toward a rendezvous with the space station on its 13 day trip.
The booster rockets separated after doing their job. The spectacular trail of flame is over, leaving the shuttle just a dot in the night time sky.
The contrail of the shuttle reflected the last glows of the setting sun. This pic was taken with the handy Canon SD1100 IS point and shoot both Lydia and I carry to augment our big lens cameras.

Black Skimmers in motion

MATANZAS INLET, FL - - The black skimmer air force was out at Matanzas Inlet, climbing, swooping and gliding around. But when it comes time to land, they all want to touch down on the same spot. There is no tower control, no holding patterns until the runway is cleared, just zip in and land..even if there are other birds in the way

Sunrise on both coasts

FLAGLER BEACH / PASS-A-GRILLE, FL - - Sunrise and birds. Sometimes you don't know there are birds in your photo until you look real closely...as in the above shot from Flagler Beach. (Look bottom left of the sun.) Other times opportunities present themselves....like the photo below of the fishing pier in Pass-A-Grille. No, we didn't spend the weekend criss-crossing the state. The Flagler photo was today while PAG is from last week's trip.

Laughing and eating

TIERRRA VERDE, FL - - He who laughs last laughs...alone. Laughing Gulls, like the one above, hang out in groups. This guy has apparently been laughing at his own jokes hence, the solo act.
Hanging out at the bait shop in Pass-A-Grille at the right time can be good for your daily food intake. However, figuring how you are going to swallow what you've pinched from the bait bucket could take some thought. And, you might want to keep an eye out as every other bird around will try to steal your meal. This heron actually did gulp the shrimp before it got stolen.

Something missing??

TIERRA VERDE, FL - - These two osprey seem to be wondering if anything is missig...like junior. This high-rise housing gives the birds gerat vantage point to observe breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks as they swim by in the water below.

Terns on vacation

TIERRA VERDE, FL - - While his buddies wash up, the leader of the pack heads out to scout for lunch. This is a group of Sandwich Terns, but I doubt the main item on their diets comes from Subway.