![head_down_0095](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/4226458285_4586abf1d9_o.jpg)
In a pose I have never seen, an egret sticks its head under the water in search of fish while flying along at full speed.
![howling_0119](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2614/4227251232_87b9cab593_o.jpg)
Grackles howl at the moon from the top of a palm tree stump.
I was driving through Viera on Monday when I decided on a whim to drive through the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands, a man-made habitat for birds, alligators and other critters. The land is nourished by treated wastewater from a nearby facility.
The sanctuary is popular during this time of year. It consists of a series of connected dirt roads along several different "cells" of water, particular ones of which are usually dominated by a certain species. I suspect that a combination of the snowbirds being back in full force and the holiday week made this Monday a busy day for birdwatchers and photographers at the wetlands.
I came away with a bit of a different look at the wildlife there from the first time I visited the habitat.
![grass_0103](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2604/4226458513_6a623321f8_o.jpg)
An American bittern takes off among high water grass, which browns this time of year.
![duck_0046](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/4226458063_ace209cc97_o.jpg)
A gallinule swims among some sort of red algae.
![landing_0076](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/4227226866_eae764f26a_o.jpg)
This coot decided to join the feeding frenzy.
![moon_0106](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4227227248_185e831294_o.jpg)
The moon hangs in a brilliant blue sky. Speaking of blue and moon: There will be a blue moon on New Year's Eve, the first New Year's blue moon since 1990.
![anhinga_0040](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/4227226498_b5d63aa0f6_o.jpg)
I got about five feet from this anhinga.
![sunshine_0160](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/4226458791_95b09413d7_o.jpg)
The sun goes down.
![colors_0205](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/4226458815_c3b848f31a_o.jpg)
A grackle at twilight, with a tower featuring lightning detectors in the background.
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