Florida Vacation Photos: Part Twelve

Although we had a lot of cool weather, wind, fog and rain when we were in Florida in December, we researched where we could go during the day other than the beach to have some fun.

Our hotel had a nice welcome center room full of pamphlets listing area attractions around them.

We found a tiny brochure about a little bird sanctuary just a few miles from the hotel.

It was so small that we missed it and drove by it a few times, even using our GPS.

But finally we spotted a sign on the sidewalk with an arrow into an alley and there it was.

It was a totally free place where injured birds could be brought to recouperate and it operated totally on just donations.

There were birds in cages, but many were loose or in the nearby trees, and even healthy birds flew in at times (probably because of the free food buffet offered to the injured birds).

But for a photographer....and especially for a photographer that LOVES tropical birds, it was wonderful!

Better than Disneyworld!

Here is an example why.

Two birds in the trees!:

He didn't even mind a closeup!

(Of course, you wouldn't either if you were THIS beautiful!):

He has feathers in his beak!:

And THIS white beauty with a bit of a long billowy Mohawk

was also there:

I loved those body feathers sticking out from his back!




He was gorgeous:

I begged my husband to let me take him home in my luggage.

But he reminded me of the security measures and didn't think I could do it.

Dang him.


So I sadly agreed with him.

That is, until I saw HIM:

Did you SEE that long feathered CHEST????

Be still my heart.




There was even a playful Pelican trying to get at an itch:

A face shot of Mr. Blue Heron:

There will be more pictures tomorrow of the gorgeous birds that I saw at the tiny bird sanctuary.

I am SURE they need an retired R.N. there....if I can be a nurse to crabby old men, I should be able to help injured birds, right?
Right???!