This could be the last time...at the Farm

This 'Guzmania Lingulata' is a member of the bromilead family

Cattle egret balancing act

This 'hangout' accounts for about 10 percent of the alligator population

Creative 'feeding time' photo

"This nest is lumpy no matter how I arrange the eggs!"

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - This could be our last springtime visit to the Alligator Farm before heading West for the summer.  Or not.  Chicks are hatching.  The early "hatchers" are growing with some nearly ready to be kicked out of the nest to find their own food.  And some birds...like the blue heron in the bottom pic...are still sitting on the nest waiting for something to happen.
     So we may go back one more time just to check on the impending avian population boom.
     Now you might wonder why we continue to take trips to the Farm.  Well, it's close by (60 miles); you are always guaranteed good subject matter (even if you've shot nearly the same photo before) and we have a yearly pass.  Plus there are some good breakfast and lunch and coffee spots nearby.  Our visit schedule is simple:  enter at 9am;  take all your photos by 10am and leave.  Why?? At 10am the school busses arrive with hordes of elementary school youngsters and the prevailing quiet and order is shattered.

Home invader...or...gecko on the curtain

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - The Florida gecko is a numerous sight where we live.  They scamper in the driveway; the garage; on the walkway in our backyard.  And, occasionally, inside the house.  How they get in is a mystery.  This brave (he / she) version  found that clinging  to the curtain in front of our patio door was great fun.   The view was pretty good, too. 
      It was a relatively safe perch.  When I got close enough to make a lunging attempt to capture the unwanted guest, it slipped my grasp.  So now not only is the gecko having a laugh at my expense, but my stock as a big (little) game hunter is way down with LH.  Better to have not called attention to my actions than to have failed miserably.

Egrets in black and white

Meal time madness

Struttin' my stuff

Oops!  The 'three tenors' slipped in...or they are waiting for a baby egret lunch

Hair (feather) styling at the Farm

Cattle egrets aren't usual visitors to the Farm

It appears this snowy egret was 'surprised I took his picture

Another day at the (alligator) farm

You go your way and I'll go mine

Alligator pilates

Tight landing

Hey, ma!!  Where are you??

Ring-tail vs red-ruffed...who's better looking

Who?  Me?

Never!!  I'm way too cool.

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - When the bird photos start looking the same, we head to the lemur enclosure.  There's always some form of antics going on...even when 'red' wants to 'chill.'