Earth Day color

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - We visited the Earth Day festivities st nearby Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.  The park is well known for formal gardens which provide colorful displays of native and exotic plants are on display along walking paths set among reflecting ponds. 

The perils of parenthood

She might be thinking: "What have I done to deserve these whiners?"

Table manners:  You don't bite the hand (or neck or face) that feeds you

The 'crew' looks on as one chick tries to swallow mom's beak

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - There were so many nests full of growing Great Egret chicks at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm  that there seemed to be drama everywhere.  Impatient chicks could hardly contain themselves when mom landed with (hopefully) some food.  This nest of chicks hadn't gotten the sequence of feeding quite right...yet.

Down on the farm

If you're nice, I might talk.

Snowy Egret with red eye band and foot (breeding) coloring

West African crowned crane

Cattle egrets discussing today's stock market numbers

Next time I take a pen and pad so I can remember what some of these birds are.

Red Ruffed Lemur

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - The 'farm' indicated in the title is actually the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park.  While alligators may be a prime attraction, the park has lots of varied displays.  What drew out attention was the native swamp and rookery area which did not disappoint.  There were more birds, mainly nesting, than we've seen anywhere. 
     So why haven't we posted photos from the AF before?  Despite living in Florida for 25+ years we've never been to the 'Farm'  despite the location being only 45 miles away.  And there is a $22.95 admission.  We normally stay from places where the birds/animals are captive/semi-captive.  Yes, there were some animals and birds caged but everything was well worth the admission price as we 'blasted away' and left the premises with close to 200 shots each.  
    

Nature at work .. lines and shadows

Wind, rain and blowing sand can create interesting shapes.

Grand Canyon vista

The Grand Canyon - From the 2010 archives

Lily, are you in the backyard

Some color in our "natural" back yard.

Port Canaveral

Exploration Tower

West view - -cruise ship terminals

Center view - - silos and construction area

East view - - Huge cargo vessel and exit to the Atlantic

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - We headed to Port Canaveral and Rusty's sports bar while we were out and about last week.  The restaurant has a weekday buffet and we've eaten here before.  This is Cape Canaveral area and while Kennedy Space Center we busy so was ship traffic.
     The Exploration Tower at Port Canaveral opened in November to celebrate the port's 60th anniversary of its dedication. There are a variety of exhibits in the seven story structure...all of them interesting.  One not to miss is the "virtual ships bridge" which allows an individual to pilot a boat through Canaveral Channel.  What sounds like an easy challenge isn't, after watching numerous adults sink nearly everything afloat on this interactive display.
     The view from the seventh floor observation area gives a good idea of how large the port is. 

Family time at Viera Wetlands

A Great Blue Heron scouts the fog for breakfast or a warm nest.

The Green Ranger:  breeding colors on a Great Egret

Sandhill Crane family out for a stroll

You probably remember me from January

The lady of the 'nest' isn't too happy with her mans behavior

Hey Ma!!  I'm hungry  

This 'newbie' chick isn't much more than a ball of fluffy feathers.

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - It was quite foggy when we got to Viera Wetlands, but the sun soon burned off the haze.  It's new family time for most.  Some, like the Great Egret, are looking for companionship.  And some apparently aren't so happy with the companion they have.  Finally you might notice there's a Green Heron interloper from our last Viera trip back in January...couldn't figure a way to delete the photo without messing things up.