Alligators

The Florida sun shines today. Yesterday I was on my own, my friends had to go home and my sis is still in meetings (no worries I like being on my own). I was dropped off in front of Gator Land about 11:00 am and could see wild birds perched on top of the buildings, paintings through the window. Hurry take my money let me in!

This painting is by M.S Barry a water color on canvas.Barry's work fills the gift shop walls and are very tempting with all the rich color and humor. But out in the real world.....

the birds move as if on a moving side walk only this one might have you for lunch.

Cute little Gray Catbird just a little smaller than a Robin.

"You lookin at me" Boat-tailed Grackle

Yellow-rumped Warbler gave me a great view for identification.

It was so fun to get up close on some of the birds for great shots. National Geographic here I come.

 I loved this painting.

 This is a beautiful boardwalk in the swamp. Almost no one was out there and I felt very alone and at peace. The trees made a different sound than at home a deeper hollow sound. The birds still moved around the same and did a great job of hiding from me.

They say that this is the headwaters of the Everglades 170 miles to the south.

I was thinking if I jumped I would fall into the ski.

The water is not deep but the soil under the water is black just perfect for reflection. I learned all about swamps today very interesting, I would love to spend more time in them poking around in a small boat well maybe a medium one to avoid snakes and alligators.

A great day in Florida

We flew all day, over 12 hours in and about planes. Landed in Florida about 7:00pm to find that our luggage went to D.C. It turned out O.K. they delivered them to the hotel the next morning . I meet up with my old and dear friends Ray and Kath who live about 3 hours south. They drove up for a visit and to give me the best bird tour ever.

It rained and poured, I found out latter that it broke a 1948 record of over 2" in the area. We would open the car window to shoot the photo and before we could close it we were soaking wet. I had to take great care last night to dry my camara. Regarless of the rain it was a blast.

This heron stands with his back to the worst of it.

Beautiful Egrets do the same. I'm starting to think this day will be a bust, little did I know...

Just around the corner .....more birds of every sort were waiting ....I nearly died....

These are Roseate Spoonbills. I have never seen such wonderful birds.

 A small cattle Egret watches the Spoonbills

 Then we come upon this Wood Stork OMG.. a birders dream!!! First time birds everywhere.

 He is fishing and being successful. It was fun to watch him if he turns he puts out one wing a spins around it.
This is the short list of birds, I have some wonderful photos to share but that will have to wait... I'm off today to find an alligator.

Out side the hotel last night, beautiful. Did I say I'm having fun!!!