On the boundary between modern subdivisions and the floodplain of the St. Johns River, Ritch Grissom Memorial Viera Wetlands – modeled after Orlando Wetlands Park, to process wastewater naturally – has proven to be one of the best wildlife watching sites in the county. While its trails can, often, be driven in a passenger car, you’re more likely to see wildlife if you walk a route around the 200 acres of impoundments. Colonial nesting birds gather on the shubbery of small islands, while wading birds stalk a meal on the edges of shallower impoundments. It’s entirely in the open, with no shade, but well worth the trek for some stellar photography. We visited the wetlands in March of 2019. It is located at 10001 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne, FL 32940.