Roseys

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Roseate Spoonbill – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
roseate-spoonbill
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.

Bird Day #4

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Mama Killdeer – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
killdeer
Pretty Bird – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015

“Everyone wants to understand painting. Why is there no attempt to understand the song of the birds?” – Pablo Picasso

This bird’s nest was right on the side of the berm. Killdeer make their nests in very precarious spots, I hope she made it through the day. I’m not sure how they survive because, unless the chicks are ready to go right from the egg, they will not make it. The nest is too open. I saw another nest fail that was farther down the berm. Nature will provide.

Quote found at http://www.searchquotes.com/quotation/Everyone_wants_to_understand_painting._Why_is_there_no_attempt_to_understand_the_song_of_the_birds%3F/12452/

Six in One

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Six in One – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
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Got One – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015

“To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one’s own in the midst of abundance.” – Buddha

There was great abundance at the wetlands last weekend. Top pic has 6 species of birds in it. Great and Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, and a Wood Stork. The last two are endangered.

Obviously an abundance of fish. See Great Egret in the second picture with one in his mouth! So except for the alligator fight – which was epic, there was only some minor squabbling if some of the birds got too close to each other.

I’ll also have an abundance of pictures – expect more.

Quote found at http://www.abundancetapestry.com/20-inspirational-abundance-quotes/

Gator Fight

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Gator Fight – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
aligator
Disengage – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015

Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.” Kalil Gibran

This was quite a violent encounter. In the top picture, one gator has the other in it’s jaws. After the encounter there was a clear winner and the loser left in a big hurry, under the watchful eye if the winner. Although I cannot be sure there was no sign of injury to either.

This certainly reenforces the need to respect gators and their power and unpredictability,

Quote found at http://www.searchquotes.com/search/Strife/6/