Gorilla at Rest in Disney's Animal Kingdom

We visited Disney's Animal Kingdom and as always our favorite part was the gorilla exhibit. They're such magnificient animals to observe but troubling to see them in in captivity. Maybe we have seen Planet of the Apes too many times, but it is always a little sad.

EGRET IN FLIGHT AT ST AUGUSTINE'S ALLIGATOR FARM.

Another image from the alligator farm here in St Augustine. Catching these striking birds in flight can be a challenge but lots of fun!!! Taken with the Nikon D3  and a Nikon 70-200 VR lens.

St. Augustine Beach Mid Morning

This was taken on the beach behind our hotel in St. Augustine, Florida. The three of them were all  really enjoying the day but at this moment all three were resting and in my camera's eye they seemed like the only ones on the beach. I love the cool tones and of course the reflections.

WOOD STORKS IN TREETOPS, DURING MATING SEASON, AT ST.AUGUATINE'S ALLIGATOR FARM

This is another picture taken at the Alligator Farm, it's a really unique place. It was founded in 1893 and has a great variety of alligators including a few albinos plus birds and reptiles from tropical areas. The newest is a Komoda dragon exhibit. Interestingly, most photographers do not go there for the exhibits. They go instead to photograph the wild birds who fly into and out of the Rookery, a small island in the middle of a small pond. In the water surrounding the island are alligators of every size. This is truly the natural world at its finest. See the alligators stop any critters; rodents, snakes or raccoons from reaching the island where they would prey on the eggs of these beautiful birds. A natural deterent, always the best kind. If you saw these alligators you would think twice about swimming to the island and maybe about changing your lunch plans. The storks are building their nests in the tree tops and going through the courtship season. I have read that these stately birds are endangered so they and we owe the alligators gratitude, as long as we all stay away from the water!

Egret Flying with Branch For Nest

Taken today at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. The Egrits are starting to build their nest. This one was bringing a branch to use in the building of the nest. Taken with a Nikon D300s and a Nikon 70-200 vr lens.

Sunrise in St. Augustine, Florida This Morning

A quick one I grabbed this image about 20 minutes ago from our patio. Straight out of the camera with a little cropping in Lightroom. Now off to breakfast then photographing all day at the Alligator Farm here in St. Augustine. Have a great day!!

SOUTH OF THE BORDER REVISITED

Our first post on our trip to Florida is from South Carolina. 

One of the nice memories of my youth is our family of 4 brothers, our mother & dad in a car driving down to Florida. How much fun that must have been for our parents lol. When we reached South Carolina we saw this store with the large statue of a man in a sombrero. South of the Border, a firework superstore, back then somewhere in the 1950s this was an amazing sight. In the dark of night seeing this store, all lit up against the night sky, was something special for a young boy after driving for many hours. I have not seen it for 50 years but had the memory of the first time I saw it firmly in my mind. Yesterday when we saw the signs advertising South of The Border I had to laugh, it was still there. When we arrived after seeing the first sign stating 200 miles to it, I was amazed to see that now it was not just one building but a mini city stretching a mile on both sides of the street. A motel, ice cream store , a few restaurants, an amusement park and a more then few souvenir stores. The stores still selling the same back scratchers , signs with funny sayings, slightly off color statues and I'm sure if I looked  somewhere, I would have found  the stuffed baby alligators all a treasure back then, not so much now. I have to admit it was  a kick seeing this place after all these years, you may not be able to go back but you can revisited. 

Next stop Savannah Georgia!!!

Early morning hike in the desert of Sedona, Arizona

Just a few images from a early morning walk in Sedona last July. Phyllis and I are taking a road trip this weekend down the east coast to Florida We will be stopping along the way to photograph a few places we either have always wanted to visit or have photographed before and enjoyed. Our final destination is Port St. Lucie, Florida to visit my brothers ,who live there, Paul & Greg.  We will post a few raw images from along the way. We will be checking our email everyday if anyone needs to contact us about upcoming weddings or events. Have a great weekend!!