Florida Adventure

Alligator at Big Cypress Swamp ~ What big teeth you have....what big eyes you have....

Mom Anhinga with Babies ~ I found this nesting Anhinga sitting quietly on her nest. I was surprised to see two baby-heads pop up next to her. Even the babies have very long necks!

Baby Anhingas ~ A view of the nesting mother Anhinga with her little babies.

Soft-shelled Turtle ~ This very odd-looking turtle climbed out of the water and onto the bank. It was about 2 feet long and raised its head and neck like a periscope. Note its funny little snout-like nose.

Halloween Pennant

This appears to be a male of the species. This fluttery dragonfly had a rapid wingbeat, with widely separated wings. It would light briefly on grasses, allowing only very brief views and pictures.

3 Black Vultures Sitting on a Rail ~ I can almost hear this as a childhood jingle, but this was a real-life scene in the Everglades. I couldn't resist capturing the moment.

Anhinga Aria

~ This Anhinga looked like he was either singing opera, or maybe just yawning. At any rate, I thought it was a funny look. This photograph was taken on the Anhinga Trail at Royal Palms in the Everglades.

Minding the Kids ~ This Mom alligator was sunning along the trail in a State Park. She was watching "the kids", so none of us approached too close. This shot shows two of the four young.

Black Vulture Close-up ~Everywhere we went in southern Florida, there were lots of vultures, both Turkey and Black Vultures.

Anhinga Along the Trail ~ This view of an Anhinga shows how long and thin its neck and head are, and check out that long tail.

Baby Green Herons ~ These were two of four young herons hanging out along the Anhinga Trail at Royal Palms in the Everglades. You can still see a few white wisps of baby fuzz showing through their "grown-up" plumage.

Spider Overhead ~ This spider was along the trail in a botanical garden. It was silhouetted against the blue sky, showing its interesting shape. I liked capturing the small spider as well.

Spider on the Trail

~ While walking and birding in a botanical garden on Key Largo, I saw this interesting looking spider overhead on the trail. My insect field guide gives short shrift to spiders (since they aren't really insects, I guess), so don't have a clue what it is.

Common Gallinule ~ This gallinule was photographed on the Anhinga Trail in the Everglades. I liked the way his reflection reveals the plant life under the water.

Female Four-spotted Penant ~ After working in Paulson, I believe this is a female Four-spotted Penant. This pretty dragonfly was flitting and lighting at the edge of a lake in the Everglades.

Cape May Warbler ~ I love these beautiful little birds. They were migrating through the Keys while I visited there.

Cape May Warbler ~ This beautiful warbler was feeding at Ft. Zachary Taylor State Park on Key West. He let me get several shots of him at close range.

Green Lizard Portrait ~ I loved the bright color and the texture of this lizard's skin. It was photographed on Key Largo. This shows best at larger sizes.

Iguana at the Lake

~ This pretty iguana was overlooking a small lake in a botanical garden on Key West.

Green Lizard ~ This bright green lizard was at the side of a path on Key Largo. He was very fast, but did allow two shots before he disappeared.

Four-Spotted Pennant

Four Spotted Penant ~ I'm not familiar with Florida dragonflies, but after combing through Paulson, I believe it is a male Four Spotted Penant. It was flitting along the edge of a lake in the Everglades.

Male Four-Spotted Pennant

Four Spotted Penant ~ Another dragonfly view on the side of a lake in the Everglades.