More Birds and a Dinosaur

The Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge is a very impressive place, if you have any appreciation at all for wildlife.  The stretch along the interior Indigo Trail is incredibly alive with birds.

A lovely Heron walking through the marsh.

You'd think with yellow feet and yellow beak he'd be easy to identify.
Not so.

Maybe I've discovered a new species!
Also, the Easter Bunny was just outside of this frame.
Perhaps this is a juvenile...they often don't look like adults.
No tattoos on this guy, however.

I regret I didn't get more shots of this Egret.

This Tricolored Heron is hanging out on a branch above the water.

"Tricolor?  How limiting.  How inaccurate."

What is this Egret looking for?

Mmmm...Lunch!

This pool, a short distance away, shows why the birds like the area so much.

Or perhaps it's the camaraderie.

Everyone loves a mangrove swamp.

Especially the Roseate Spoonbills.
I wonder why they call them that.

Ruffled or not, quite the unique bird.
I've been told their plumage is pink due to their shrimp-filled diet.
Maybe that's why I'm also a little pink.

Good grooming for a stylish bird.

Gotta love those leotards.

All back in order, and now I'm outta here.

The Little Blue Heron looked pretty big to me.

Showing off "nexterity."

Unfortunately, this was the best I could do with this Yellow Crowned Night Heron.
Perhaps it was because it was daytime.

On the inland side of the island, there is open water.  Different bird and different groupings appear.

Cormorants are rarely thought of as attractive birds.

Upon closer inspection, they are at the very least, interesting.
I was pleased this one was so good at posing.

Some prefer the road to the waves.

Some just hang out up high.
"No, I'm not an Eagle.  I'm an Osprey.  We're much better at fishing.
Those Eagles never even get their feathers wet."

The Snowy Egret is pensive.

Who IS your hair stylist, Dahling?

The full Monty.
Don't ask how I knew his name.

Eyes always look best in the sunlight.

Cool looking even with the neck compressed.

This White Pelican likes the open water.

There are plenty of fish, so everyone gets along.

Everyone.

Yes, everyone!

Even when they are not quite alike.
(Insert contrasting human comment here.)

"So two Herons walk into a bar..."

But there are places that seem to be completely devoid of birds.

No birds here.

I wonder why...