Black Skimmers are the short legged relatives of the gull and tern family. This early riser is working over a marsh pond in the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. The shorebird's long wingspan is built for gliding, and soars just above the water's surface. The knife-like long red bill is perfect for scouping or spearing small fish and crustaceans. This coastal bird averages 16 to 20 inches in length and its range extends all along the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.
Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge surrounds John F. Kennedy Space Center and creates an effective buffer zone for Florida's rocket launches, as well as hazardous rocket fuels and oxidizers. In cooperation with NASA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the 69,000 acre refuge. Blackpoint Drive, a seven mile nature trail, is were visitors enjoy close-up views. The broad, flat salt marsh protects a wide variety of bird species and mangrove inhabitants. The refuge is considered a premier site for bird watchers. Cruickshank Trail, a five mile hiking trail, also provides views of Florida marshes and its vast refuge impoundments.