This time of the year seems to be the best for Florida sunsets. Jo, my wife, and I were passing through Melbourne just before Christmas and we decided to make a quick, almost closing time, stop at Viera Wetlands just north of Melbourne, Florida.

A single shot reveals less contrast and saturated color but still offers the evening hues from the sky and sun.

We both have come to love stopping here because we often see specialty birds, Bald Headed Eagles, or Cara or other wildlife like Deer or Otter. Most of the time Viera is plentiful with wetland birds, Great Blue Herons, American Egrets, Anhinga, Cattle, Snowy, or Little Green Herons.

Hosts of all kinds of birds fly in to enjoy the evening at Viera.

… and they quietly roost while waiting for the day’s final glow.

This short trip was no exception, in fact, there were hundreds of those birds in larger than expected flocks all over the ponds and in the air. We even saw and got to video some really neat Hooded Merganser Ducks bathing and mating in the pond (next blog I’ll feature them). The real attraction this day was the unusual sunset shown here. It was one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen. Other local photographers and even the park ranger were silently watching as this beautiful sunset displayed across the sky for us.

An American Egret passes through the sky fire on his way to his evening roost.

And the sun finally sets with a flare that shoots into the almost night sky.

A single Egret flies to ready himself  at the roost.

Happy New Year, 2013. May all your sunsets be as blessed and beautiful as this.

Jon-Mark Davey