January 22, 2011

We drove to Merritt Island again this morning. Stopped at the Visitors' Center and walked the boardwalk. A male Painted Bunting was feeding near the building. A Ruby-throated Humming-

bird was feeding on sugar water in one of the gardens. This was a new Florida bird for me. Also along the trail were Redwing Blackbirds, Mourning Dove, and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

We then drove the Black Point Wildlife Drive. There were many Tri-colored Herons, Great Blues,

Great Egrets and White Ibis. We also saw Glossy Ibis, Roseate Spoonbills, and a Bald Eagle. Very

few duck were there, a small flock of Northern Shovelers, a few Hooded Mergansers. Several shorebirds were running around on the mudflats, Western and Least Sandpipers, Short-billed

Dowitchers, and some Black-bellied Plovers.

We had lunch at the Moonlight Drive-in, where a carhop brought our tray of food and hooked it to the window of the car.

Then we head for Venice. Arrived at the motel around 4:00 p.m. Ceiling fan, refrigerator, and internet not working. Hot water very iffy.

Dinner at the Gold Rush, a nearby BBQ place. About 16 of us were there.