Merritt Island
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville and surrounding areas, January 2025
Merritt Island is a barrier island just off the east coast of central Florida near Titusville. It is known for being the home of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Intertwined between both the space center and the refuge is the Canaveral National Seashore.
The immediate area around the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is mainly undeveloped. However, hotels and campgrounds are easily found in the surrounding areas to the south and on the mainland in Titusville, some just a short 15–30 minute drive away. Titusville has all of the normal small-town accoutrements with grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants and even nightlife within the small charming downtown area.
My original plan was to stay in Titusville for a short time then move on to do some recon in other state parks along the west coast of Florida. Instead, I opted to extend my stay in the Merritt Island area due to fluctuating weather and other unexpected events, detailed below.
Roseate Spoonbill finding a snack
At this time of year, the focus of my trip was to photograph overwintering birds, bird species endemic to Florida and the occasional mammal, such as manatees and bobcats. Some of my favorite subjects are: Reddish Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, Sandhill Cranes, and Black Skimmers. Although I observed almost one hundred bird species during my time there, I was disappointed in the total volume of actual birds. For example, I did see Roseate Spoonbills but there were only about three individuals around to photograph, unlike in previous years when I have seen them by the dozen. This seemed to be the case for other species as well. It is hard to say whether it was due to the weather conditions, time of year or something more significant, but it was still disappointing.
Sandhill Crane
Rocket launches are another unique local photographic opportunity. To my good fortune I was able to experience three launches during my time there. Although launches are happening more frequently these days, the difficulty in planning and adjusting one’s schedule around a launch still exists. Launches can be scheduled to happen at any time day or night. Each launch can offer a unique experience; in my case, one attempted launch was a 4am scrub (after a three hour wait) and another launch that was successful was mostly obscured by heavy low clouds. Luckily, I had two successful nighttime launches that I photographed. One from the highest point of A. Max Brewer Bridge and the other from the pier at Manatee Hammock Campground. I am glad I got to experience these rocket launches, especially the maiden flight of the New Glenn vehicle. There is nothing like it, especially the sound.
New Glenn - Launch from pad LC-36
With unique experiences and rare and unexpected photographic moments, this area always seems to deliver. Merritt Island is a beautiful location that has numerous photographic subjects, whether it is wildlife, space flight or other interests. There are also other parks and wildlife areas close by that offer some great photo opportunities. I have listed those I visited below. This is definitely an area a photographer must visit, and I can’t wait to plan my next trip back.
Photography equipment: For most of the wildlife the longest lens possible is the best choice. I shot with a 100-500mm lens but could have still used more reach in some instances. Many other photographers in the area prefer using a 600mm or even an 800mm. For the Rocket launches a wide-angle lens is best.
TL;DR:
Camera Equipment: Long lens, Wide lens, Tripod, extra batteries and memory cards.
Best Time of year: January – February – Temps and weather can vary wildly this time of year from cold to warm so having a variety of clothing options is best. As winter storms move through the clouds, fog, and/or mist can add character to your photos.
Best Time to Photograph: Dawn – Late morning; Late-Afternoon – Dusk
Things to look out for: The warmer the temperatures the more the mosquitoes and insects become a problem.
Crowds: Busier on weekends and during the winter months many festivals take place in and around the area. Two of the bigger ones are: Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival and Orlando Wetlands Festival (happens every other year)
Animal Identification Resources: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Bird List, The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, Shorebirds of North America, Waterfowl of North America, Mammals Amphibians Reptiles of Merritt Island NWR
Other resources to learn about the area: CBS Sunday Morning, BritHikesOntario, FloridaJeepRides, Merritt Island Wildlife Association, Visit Florida, MINWR Brochure,
Locations visited for photography:
Reddish Egret doing his dance
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge - Hours: Sunrise - Sunset Cost:$10 per day or Federal Duck Stamp/America the Beautiful Interagency Pass
*Currently the visitors center is under renovation and is closed. The temporary location (located here) is open from 8AM until 4PM, Tuesday through Saturday
Black Point Wildlife Drive - 7 mile wildlife drive (unpaved road)
Biolab Road - 6 mile wildlife drive (unpaved road)
East Gator Creek Rd - (unpaved road)
Scrub Ridge Trail - 1 mile loop hike
Pine Flatwoods Trail - 1 mile loop hike
Oak Hammock Trail - .75 mile loop hike
Allan Cruickshank Memorial Trail - 5 mile loop hike
Wild Bird Trail - .5 mile round-trip hike
Manatee Observation Deck - Observation deck with nearby parking
Bairs Cove - A kayak and boat launch
Highlights: Roseate Spoonbill, Florida Scrub-Jay, American Avocet, Clapper Rail, Bald Eagle, Sora, Great Horned Owl
Titusville:
A. Max Brewer Bridge
Manatee Hammock Campground’s pier
Highlights: Rocket Launches
Roseate Spoonbill carrying material back to his nest
Purple Gallinule
Orlando Wetlands: Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, Sunrise to Sunset – Cost: Free
Great place to view birds and Florida wildlife, including a boardwalk and many trails. There were numerous spoonbills here, mostly up in the trees. It is nest building season for them and it was great entertainment watching them collect a stick or branch and navigate their way back to their nests. Hint: they give the three stooges a run for their money.
Highlights: Roseate Spoonbill, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Purple Gallinule, Limpkin
Lake Apopka (Wildlife Drive)– open for vehicles 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday-Sunday and federal holidays - Cost: Free
First time visit here, so mostly it was a recon mission for me. A great place to visit and quite a bit of wildlife to see along the 11-mile wildlife drive.
Highlights: Fulvous Whistling-Duck, American Bittern, Gray-headed Swamphen
Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands: Hours: 7am – 7pm daily - Cost: Free
200 acres of trails and wetlands to photograph in.
Highlights: Sandhill Cranes, Limpkin, Loggerhead Shrike
Florida Scrub-Jay
Helen & Allan Cruickshank Sanctuary: Hours: Monday through Sunday, day use only. - Cost: Free
A mile long loop trail with many ospreys, multiple species of woodpeckers and the endangered Florida Scrub-Jay.
Highlights: Florida Scrub-Jay
Where I stayed:
Manatee Hammock Campground - most tent sights are located along the perimeter in view of the Indian River. Plenty of RV spots but they seemed to be very close together and sometimes seemed an overly tight fit for some of the larger RVs. Depending on which launch pad is in use, it also has a great view for rocket launches.
Comfort Suites Titusville near Kennedy Space Center – a relatively new hotel, with free breakfast in the morning and nearby restaurants for the evening. The location makes it a good starting point for travels further inland or to the coast.
Where I ate in Titusville:
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store – The usual Cracker Barrel experience but a good place for a late breakfast after doing some early morning or sunrise photography.
Durango's Steakhouse - a great steak restaurant with excellent food. Prices are reasonable and it is very popular; a wait for a table can be a possibility
Pier 220 Seafood and Grill - A scenic place on the Indian River and possibly the closest to the refuge to grab lunch or dinner. Can get very busy during the noon hour but if you get there before or after you will miss the rush.
Shiloh's Steak & Seafood – A nice place to have lunch or dinner. Had a great steak and shrimp dinner with my choice of the Malibu Surf and Turf
Dixie Crossroads – A great inexpensive seafood restaurant with an expansive menu. They serve you corn fritters covered in powdered sugar while you wait for your food to be prepared. This restaurant is an institution in Titusville and is a place you do not want to miss.
Kelsey's Pizzeria & Eatery Titusville – A wonderful pizza and Italian restaurant with some unique menu options. The food here has always been great.
Bruster's Real Ice Cream – need I say more….
Buc-ees - IYKYK (Daytona & St. Augustine, FL Locations)