On a breezy, sunny, September day, my toddler, husband, and I turned onto the access road of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge along Florida’s Gulf of Mexico. St. Marks has fast become my favorite birding spot, with more than 68,000 acres protecting marsh, forest, and coastline. 

Still, I wasn’t really expecting to see a plethora of species. For one, it was nearly noon, and I’d already missed the early morning hours and their promise of migrants. Secondly, in September, waterfowl – which would fill the ponds and pools in the coldest months with their diving and dabbling forms – had not yet arrived. I didn’t mind though, I love seeing the year-round residents like Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Anhingas, Brown Pelicans, and Bald Eagles.

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