What I Discovered on a Quiet Drive Through Merritt Island 🐦‍⬛📷🥾

Volume 3, Issue 7 • February 26, 2025

What's up, fellow wanderer? I had a couple of great adventures this week, first to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and then to Orlando Wetlands Park. I still have to get the images from OWP off the camera so I will save that for next week. It's going to be epic so you won't want to miss it!

Before we dive into the Merritt Island adventure, I have a favor. I write this newsletter for you, and I want to make sure it brings you the most value possible. So I’d love to hear directly from you:

• What keeps you coming back to this newsletter?

• What do you find most valuable or interesting?

• What would you love to see more of?

Your feedback helps shape future editions, and I truly appreciate every response. Just hit “Reply” and share your thoughts—I read every message!

If you haven't had a chance to check out last week's blog post give it a read! My favorite images of the trailer are always out in the wild!

“In order to see birds, it is necessary to become a part of the silence.” — Robert Lynd

A Misty Morning at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

The sky was heavy with clouds, the kind that colors the landscape with soft shades of silver and blue. A fine mist hung in the air, blurring the horizon and making the marshlands feel endless.

As I started the Black Point Wildlife Drive, the usual chatter of the world seemed to fade—the only sounds were the occasional raindrops on the windshield and the steady hum of nature at rest.

The stillness made everything feel more vivid. Pools of water stretched out like mirrors, perfectly reflecting the skeletal branches of half-submerged trees. A tri-colored heron stood motionless on a fallen branch, braving the rain and keeping watch on all who entered its kingdom.

With so few cars on the loop, it felt like I had the refuge to myself. I rolled down the window, letting the damp air curl into the car, bringing with it the scent of salt and earth. I stopped to enjoy the locals with their unique poses.

There’s something special about places like this—when the world feels hushed, and you can truly sink into the moment. Have you ever had an experience like that? A time when nature felt like it belonged just to you? Hit reply and tell me about it—I’d love to hear.

I'm a newbie in bird photography, so I have a lot to learn in many areas. I enjoyed the opportunity to practice with birds in flight. In the past, my old gear limited me in this area due to the weight (it is hard to get a sharp focus when you can't hold the camera still!) and lack of some of the fantastic computational features my OM-1 has. I took the advice of my talented bird photographer friends and set my ISO to auto (can you see my eye twitch??) and my shutter to 2500. With the subject detection focusing, it was hard to not get a decent shot! And, yes I know I need to get their faces and not their butts but...you have to start somewhere, right?

Featured Photo of the Week

I was torn between two images this week so you get a bonus!

Reddish Egret contemplating life...or looking for dinner?

I loved the negative space in this image, and even though she is looking away from the viewer, I thought that added to the story with a calmness. I watched her walk around, occasionally dipping her head in the water to search for dinner. I haven't seen many reddish egrets, but she was a beauty!

The anhingas are fun to watch with their striking blue eyes and impressive wing span. They area a water bird without waterproof feathers so the stretch them out to dry. They are pretty interesting birds!

What's Next?

Next week, I will have more birds, including some special sightings (!!) from the Orlando Wetlands. I've only seen the images on the back of the camera, but I was doing a happy dance. We are also headed to Daytona Beach for the 84th annual bike week!

Enjoying This Newsletter? Share the Love!

If you’ve been finding value in these emails, chances are someone you know would, too! If you think a friend, colleague, or fellow traveler would enjoy this, I’d be grateful if you passed it along.

Word-of-mouth is the best way for this community to grow, and I genuinely appreciate every share. Thanks for being part of this!

Until next week!