Feb 21, 2016 - St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
Read MoreMy favorite place to go birding when we are in Florida is St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. During my first visit to the refuge this winter, I spotted this Great Blue Heron. It looked less colorful than I expected and I soon realized it must be a first-year juvenile. They apparently don’t get their full adult plumage until their second year.
A colorful visitor to St. Marks this year is this male Vermilion Flycatcher. It’s a Mexican resident and, in the United States, is usually seen only in the southern parts of Texas and Arizona. When it has fully molted into breeding plumage, the top of its head, its throat, chest, and belly will all be flaming red. At only 6 inches long, it’s a pretty small bird.
Deanna Kramer
on February 22, 2016I've never seen a Vermilion Flycatcher--what gorgeous color
! Loved the video, too :)