Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

These are all shots of the critters and wildflowers from a recent visit to Black Point Wildlife drive on Merritt Island.
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Tri colored Heron

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Blue-winged Teals I think. Hard to tell from this view!

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Snowy Egret - The fishing must be good at these man-made structures. There is always a Snowy hanging out here.

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Very large Florida Softshell Turtle

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Thistle - An invasive plant in Florida but the butterflies love them.

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Another butterfly attractant!

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Skipper on Dune Sunflower.

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Tri colored Heron

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Pied billed Grebe

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Reddish Egret - they really are light colored.

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James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee

Nice variety...way-to-go!

toxdoc42

Beautiful, I love your use of reflections off of the water, perfect mirrors.

Rineal Loc: Copake NY

Love the first one in particular!
Richard

angler Loc: StHelens England

Excellent set Carol.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Thank you, James!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Thank you! The reflections work really well when the water is calm.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Thank you, Richard. The first one was shot fairly early in the morning. I think the birds may be a bit calmer in the early morning because this guy did quite a bit of posing.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Thank you, Jim!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Excellent set, Carol. Nicely done.

meowmix Loc: Florida

Hi, I moved recently from Merritt Island to Daytona Beach. I love your photos, I do not think I have ever seen a red Egret and I lived in Merritt Island my whole life! I visit almost every weekend to see family, just took some photos at Osteen Park. Mine are very drab compared to yours!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Thank you, Ken! I have a few more to do another post in a day or two. then I’ve got to get back over there!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Hi, Maddy. I’m really glad you enjoyed these. I live about 25 miles from Daytona and I spent several years on Merritt Island as a teen. I don’t think Osteen Park existed when I was there. I lived on Ramsey Lane off S.Tropical Trail and I don’t remember seeing it.

These shots were all taken from Black Point Wildlife Drive in the refuge across from Titusville. Do you process your pictures? I shoot raw and process with Affinity Photo. I think tweaking the contrast, clarity, saturation, etc. makes a big difference but I usually go for the most natural look possible. I only started shooting raw three years ago. The biggest secret is just practice and perseverence!

By the way, I think the Reddish Egrets must hang out in wetlands, maybe brackish water, too. I’ve never seen them inland and there are only a few at Merritt Island.

meowmix Loc: Florida

I have just started photographing and am taking classes at Daytona State. I am learning Lightroom mainly, with a bit of Photoshop. I love being able to adjust in Lightroom, and there are so many great things you can do. I do try to keep it at a minimal also because the highly saturated look is not what I prefer. I also shoot raw but have just started a couple months ago. I did not do any post processing until then as well. Ha ha I have a bit to go! Thanks for the info! I'll be on the lookout for the Egrets :)

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I envy you taking classes at Daytona State! I’ve been to the photography museum there a couple of time. They have a pretty extensive photography program. I hope you’ll share some of your work in the future.