The Wetlands

 First off, we have to wish A.J. and Michelle a happy anniversary!  Hope your day was more than just shovelling snow.  Enjoy!

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We headed to the Orlando Wetland as planned today.  A one hour trip, but well worth it.

First off we took a tour of the property with the driver/guide explaining what we were seeing and pointing out various birds and gators to us.

The rides are free, but the volunteer organization pays for the $32,000 tour "buses" so donations are welcomed.  Free tours are provided on Friday and Saturday, but the area is open every day but Monday.

Following about a 45 minute ride, we headed to the boardwalk to see the birds.

The feature bird today is the Roseate Spoonbill, a real beauty.

When they land in the trees all you see is a wild flapping of wings.

But they are certainly beautiful to watch.

I wasn't able to catch them flying, but the best picture that I've seen of that was taken by Jim Maguire when he and Monica were staying in Florida.  Share Jim?

Dozens of alligators in the wetlands and this guy would argue with me about the feature bird of the day.  He's enjoying an Anhinga.

It's a bird watcher's paradise.

Trying to be a bit artistic with a reflection of the bird in the water.

The wetlands are constantly moving.  It takes about a month for the water entering the wetland area to exit into a small river that joins the St. John River.

Most of the ponds are only about a foot deep and eventually they clog up and have to be restored.  Here is an area under restoration.

The soil will be removed and mother nature should look after the rest.

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Dinner at Miller's completed our day.  

Stay well.