Fledgling great horned #owl perched in a tree at the #StMarksRefuge. He was hard to spot and he sees you well before you see him. #wildlife, #birdphotography

Toothache grass, aptly named as it produces a numbing feeling n the mouth, tongue, and lips when chewed. This was growing in the Panacea Unit of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. #stmarksrefuge

The spiral staircase leading up the St. Marks Lighthouse tower. Though the tower itself is not open to climbing by the general public, you can take a tour of the keepers' quarters Fridays through Sundays from 11 AM until 3 PM. #StMarksRefuge #lighthouse

This great egret was resting on the shore along Stony Bayou 1 at the #StMarksRefuge

This red shouldered hawk can be viewed at various points of the day sitting on top of the same scrag. #StMarksRefuge

A male bufflehead and male boat-tailed grackles show off their iridescent feathers. #StMarksRefuge

My brother and I visited #StMarksRefuge this past weekend; the day was clear, the temperature cool, the wind low. Reptiles, raptors, and shorebirds were out but silent, except for the distant call of an eagle, which we weren't backtracking to find. It was as near a perfect day than any recently had.

Close-up of the head of an American Alligator.

This American Alligator was resting on the shore along Plum Orchard Pond, behind the Education Building and Visitor Center at the #StMarksRefuge. She's missing her front right claw, possibly lost in a fight defending her clutch.

Stringfellow was perched at the top of a scrag close to Headquarters Pond at the #StMarksRefuge. While owls often eat nestling hawks, a hawk was once observed baiting an owl away from a nest while the hawk's mate ate the owlets.

Driving north on Lighthouse Road and just passed Headhquarters Pond in the #StMarksRefuge, sat this red-shouldered hawk in a tree. This was the second time I've seen him in this particular area, which struck me as odd as it's close to an occupied osprey nest.

Close-up photo of an American Alligator showing his head, eyes, and scutes. Photo was taken in the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge in Wakulla County, Florida.

#Alligators, the official #Florida reptile, were hunted and poached to the point they were considered an endangered species. USFW southern states wildlife agencies increased populations and gators are now considered fully recovered. This gator was on the bank in Mounds Pool 1 in the #StMarksRefuge.

A lesser scaup, one of about 20 duck species in winter, at Lighthouse Pool at the #StMarksRefuge.

I often say to see wildlife at the #StMarksRefuge you have to get out of your car and walk.
That is, of course, not always the case.
This female anhinga was perched on a downed pine tree next to Lighthouse Road across from Picnic Pond and just a few feet away from one of the larger alligators.

The sun was getting lower in the sky. Standing on the observation deck lets you zoom in on the Fresnel lens of the St. Marks Lighthouse at the #StMarksRefuge

Turning right onto Lighthouse Road from parking area for Headquarters Pond, I saw a bobcat and kit crossing the road. I've been looking for these on other hikes and envied those able to find them. #StMarksRefuge

After the bobcat and kit, I drove north on Lighthouse Road a few hundred feet and saw a red-shoulder hawk sitting in a tree just off the road. #StMarksRefuge

I attempted counting alligators observed along the shore of Mounds Pool at #StMarksRefuge, but lost count.
Fun fact about alligators. They have weak muscles to open their mouths. The muscles they use to close their mouths are strong & violent, exerting over 2,000 lbs PSI.
A human? About 160 lbs.

Christmas arrived for the American Bald Eagle.
President Biden signed legislation on Christmas Eve making the bald eagle the national bird.
At their low point in the 1960s, there were about 420 breeding pairs in the lower 48. There are now about 17,000. #stmarksrefuge