Merritt Island
Read MoreFlorida Scrub Jay
Cruickshank Sanctuary, FL
2/6/12
The Florida Scrub Jay is listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. It lives in very isolated colonies in the Scrub Oak country of Florida which is constantly under the threat of being developed. Most of the Florida Scrub Jay colonies are being monitored, hence the three bands on this bird.Wood Stork
Merritt Island NWR, FL
2/4/15
Wood Storks feed in 6 to 10 inches of water by probing with their bills partly open, called grope-feeding, and often gently stirring the water with their pink feet. When a fish touches the sensitive bill, it quickly snaps shut. The average response time of this reflex is 25 milliseconds, making it one of the fastest reflexes known in vertebrates. One suspects that the color of the feet must also be helping them in some way.