Space Coast Wildlife

So why is it called the Space Coast? The Kennedy Space Centre, that's why. The last time we went to Florida we headed off there one day, but I suggested having a look at the nearby nature reserves, and we never made it! This time we went straight to the Centre.


Nothing was taking off while we were there, but we actually chose to visit on a day a shuttle was landing. We decided to stay outside rather than watch it on the screens in the cinema, but the cloud meant we didn't see anything. The double sonic boom was impressive however. The centre itself is OK if you are into technical things. We aren't really, but the basic tour was quite interesting .......

and the wildlife we saw en route pretty good as well. Like UK military training ranges the whole area is a wildlife reserve, and on our bus tour we saw a raccoon - first ever, wild pigs, alligators and this bald eagle nest and armadillo. Although no eagle was seen there we did have a fly over view from the car later in the day.

Visit done we headed back to Blackpoint Wildlife Drive. Very American - a drive through nature reserve! Last time there was a good level of water and lots to see. This time the water levels were well down, and I began to wonder if we'd see anything. No worries - not so much, but good views again, with some of the birds habituated to cars at least.
Tricoloured heron
White ibis
Snowy egret - like the tricoloured heron using man-made devices for perching - and catching fish two at a time.



Yellowlegs - 'greater' I think

Eastern kingbird


Glossy ibis - as last time they chose to pose directly into the sun, making a decent shot impossible.
The few Americans going round mainly ignore the birds and look for 'gators. This one was so close I couldn't frame it any better!
An armadillo was making the most of the little water in the ditch
We also had the bald eagle flying over, and a glimpse of more wild pigs.
From there it was on to the coast and a cracking beach it was too.

Herring gull
Sanderling
Willet (I think)

To cap the day we stopped to look at a pelican roost and this roseate spoonbill flew past in the evening sun. (Should really have tidied up the dust spot, shouldn't I?).