Owl family

We have this super cool owl family in our yard. They swoop through the trees and hoot. Sometimes they sit close to the house and watch us. They seem as curious about us as we are about them!

Heron and Turtles : Sarasota Jungle Gardens

There is so much amazing wildlife at the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. I was lucky to capture this a second before the heron flew off, startling the turtles who then went *bloop* back into the water.

Buster the White Peacock : Sarasota Jungle Gardens

This is Buster. He is not an official resident at the Sarasota Jungle Gardens but has decided to stay! He just flew in one day and can frequently be seen hanging around the grounds. Beautiful!

Save Our Seabirds: Great Horned Owl

This is one of the many owls being cared for at SOS: Save Our Seabirds.

Save Our Seabirds: Injured Sandhill Crane

After visiting Mote Marine Aquarium we walked across the parking area to visit SOS: Save Our Seabirds, a facility that rescues and rehabilitates injured birds. This Sandhill Crane is one of a group who have been fitted with prosthetic legs. Common causes of these injuries are cars and golf balls.

Polka-Dot Wasp Moth

This iridescent Oleander Moth Syntomeida epilais was in front of my house when I returned from Sears with my new vacuum! I was really excited and had to show everyone.

Sandhill Cranes at the Mall

Ventured out to the mall today because I was in desperate need of a vacuum cleaner. To my surprise I saw three Sandhill Cranes in the Sears parking lot! I see these large dinosaurish birds on my block frequently but just haven't had a good photo op yet. Is it usual to see them at the mall?

Great Blue Heron?

I am not quite sure if this is a Great Blue Heron but it is very pretty and spent the afternoon by the pond yesterday. Please comment if you know what this bird is!

Wood Stork

This huge Wood Stork has been hanging out around here the last couple of days. These birds are endangered. You can hear the voice of the Wood Stork and learn more about it at this site from the Cornell Lab for Ornithology:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wood_Stork/id

Armed and... Dangerous?

Looking out the window one morning and seeing this armadillo was a real "WOW" moment for me! I know they are considered pests here but this guy is just too cool. Even though my cousin-in-law told me they attack and are poisonous (I'm such a Florida-n00b) I do hope to see him again.

Magic Mushrooms

These huge mushrooms just pop up over night.  Anyone know what kind they are? They look like they'd be perfect for one of my fairies to land on or curl up under. Check out my scultpting website to see some of my fairies www.enchantedwhimsies.com

Greetings from Sarasota!

This bright character greeted me on our first day here... I should have removed him from the pool area because the next day I found him inside the house!