While the big birds…the Wood Storks, herons, egrets and ibises…certainly get most of the attention at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (or the ducks if you are duck fancier), there are, of course, lots of passerines on the Refuge as well. There are still Florida Scrub Jays if you know where to look, and many thousand Palm Warblers in January when I visit. Common Yellowthroats chitter in the mangrove at just about every stop. And then there are Northern Mockingbirds. This specimen jumped up to the top of the mangrove lining Blackpoint Drive just as I was pulling out onto the drive from a stop, so, of course, I had to stop the car, roll down the window and catch a few shots.

This is 1200mm equivalent field of view…the longest optical reach of the Canon SX50HS’ zoom…handheld from inside the car. With the wonderful Florida early morning light picking out every detail, and the classic pose, it makes wonderful portrait of the bird.

f6.5 @ 1/1000th @ ISO 400. Program with iContrast and Auto Shadow Fill. –1/3EV exposure compensation. Processed in Lightroom for intensity, clarity, and sharpness.