Reddish Egret, Merritt Island NWR, Titusville FL

It seems like my last three trips run together, though they where spread over more than a month in real time. Maybe it is because they were such photographically productive trips. The birds were the best they have been at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in many years. Honduras was amazing, even better than a year ago, and San Diego had all the usual subjects on display, AND I had two excellent days in Anzo Borrego Desert with flowers in bloom and a Desert Bighorn encounter. I brought home over 700 keepers from each of the three trips, and I have only shared a very few of them. That makes me feel image rich and time poor 🙂

This is Reddish Egret standing against the sun. It is not obvious, except in this pose, that the reddish base of the bill is actually translucent. I saw the same thing on Black Skimmers later this same day, and have already posted a pic of that effect…but I never would have guessed that either bill would let this much light through…would light up like this with the sun behind. This is off Black Point Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island NWR.

Nikon P900 at 2000mm equivalent field of view. 1/500th @ ISO 320 @ f6.5. Processed in Lightroom.