More critters

My month in St. Augustine isn't complete without a visit to the Alligator Farm. No, they don't farm alligators for meat; they research and educate the public, they say, though there's no denying that it's a major tourist stop, too. We get a kick out of the alligators and other reptiles and exotic birds

But we go there for the big local birds. For whatever reason, egrets, wood storks, and spoonbills nest there, and there's plenty of action.

The great egrets were breeding. You can see why their spectacular breeding feathers were in such demand for ladies' hats that they were nearly hunted out of existence.

There was a lot of flying about and doing funny up-and-down dances, and some pairs looked like an illustration for a Valentine's Day card.

Two wood storks did an amazing routine of beak-clashing. Whether that was warfare or courting I have no idea, but it ended peacefully. 

The spoonies always make us laugh. Dad brings a stick. Mom rejects it. Dad tries again. It must take them weeks to agree on how the nest should look.

Ignoring all the to-do, a little blue heron and a yellow-crowned night heron just cruised around looking casual. It was a great day at St. Augustine's first (since 1893) tourist attraction!