Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

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Gator among the Birds – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
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Swimming – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015

“Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is” – German Proverb

These birds, while cautious were not afraid. Fortunately there were plenty of fish about. Alligators prefer fish since they are much easier to catch and deal with than birds.

We counted 8 alligators among the flock of over 150 birds feeding in this area.

Quote found at http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/wolf/

Out of Doors

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Sunrise – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
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Dawn Flare – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015

“Nature is not easily discouraged, she recreates again and again that which has been destroyed” – Charles Torrey Simpson

Current read is a book about Florida called Out of Doors in Florida by Charles Torrey Simpson. Simpson was a naturalist who lived and studied Florida’s environment in the first part of the 20th century. While the above quote was specific to the roll fire plays in the Florida environment, it is true no matter what or who is the destroyer. And it applies to us as well.

Wildflower Wednesday

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Interesting Plant – Lake Monroe Park – May 2015
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Interesting Leaves – Lake Monroe Park – May 2015

“My progress was rendered delightful by the sylvan elegance of the groves, cheerful meadows, the high distant forests, which in grand order presented themselves in view” – William Bartram

William Bartram, my favorite naturalist, traveled these paths in the late 1700’s seeing wonders we can only dream about.

Quote found at http://www.great-quotes.com/quotes/author/William/Bartram

Roseys

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Roseate Spoonbill – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
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Family? – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
“Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.” – John Wooten
The spoonbill is a success story here in the US. In the 1930’s there were estimated to be 30-40 breeding pairs remaining. They were hunted almost to extinction for their feathers, coveted by women for their hats. I often wonder how I would have behaved back in those days. Would I have seen the implications of what was being done to our environment or not. After all John Audobon was an avid hunter himself. While he most likely wasn’t the guy sitting on the front of the boat shooting whatever moved, he still would kill birds so that he could study them.