Female anhinga resting on a mangrove branch

I never expected to take this picture!  I was watching the blue heron as it was fishing - he took off and I accidentally hit my shutter release button!   I was amazed that the camera registered everything correctly!

Gorgeous Reddish Egret.  The early morning sky is reflected off the calm water in gorgous pastels!  This wading bird has a distinct fishing technique.   He holds his wings out at his sides and dances over the water - the shadow he creates is a great haven for the fish to hide in and his dancing feet round-up the fish for easier capture.

Same anhinga as above....with wings fully extended to dry his feathers.

White Egret - resting on the dike with the early morning sky reflected in the water behind him. 

White pelicans!  They were very elusive - only flying to the remotest part of the refuge - which was out of photographic range.  I had to be happy with this view as it was the closest I got to them!

Same white Egret - he was more relaxed here with his neck drawn in tight.

Picture of the refuge using my new 17 mm wide angle lens!  Early in the morning with sky reflected in marsh.

Mr. Alligator....this one was right on the edge of the road by the beach at Canaveral National Seashore.  When we drove up next to him - I could have stepped out of the truck and right on his snout!

Gator on the other side of the canal...a much safer distance!   Since they are cold blooded animals, they must lay out and absorb the heat of the sun to warm up!  They tend to stay inactive until they warm up.

Reddish Egret beside a sandpiper. 

Reddish Egret and sandpiper didn't mind the company of an anhinga in the background.

Apollo rocket on display

space shuttle launch pad

using wide angle (24mm) lens - sunrise over wetlands

using wide angle lens - i stood only 4 feet from base of this rocket to show different perspective.