As winter arrives so do large numbers of waterfowl to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Above, blue-winged teal come in for a landing. One of the best things about living on the Space Coast is all the opportunities to get outdoors and visit the parks and refuges. Merritt Island NWR is one of the best national parks in Florida to see wildlife.

Two black ducks rest while a blue-winged teal feeds.

These pintails were photographed along Black Point Wildlife Drive.

Black ducks seeking shade under mangroves.

I can’t remember ever seeing shovelers before, so this was a rare treat.

Coots are the most common waterfowl species in Florida.

Brevard County has plenty of alligators and you’re likely to find them anywhere. I recently spotted these alligators at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge catching the sun and warming themselves from the recent cold weather.

Football season is here on the Space Coast, I enjoyed this Junior Varsity game at Merritt Island.