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.

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.

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!