St. Augustine Alligator Farm {Part 1 of 8}

I didn't think about the Alligator Farm much at first. But, I long ago decided to experience all that St. Augustine has to offer. So lately I had been thinking about it. On this particular day, D was going to golf with some buddies and I figured this was my golden opportunity. Off I went.

I didn't have high expectations. I expected the cheese factor to be high. I didn't expect to like it at all, as a matter of fact. I was wrong. Not cheesy. It was like strolling in a beautiful shaded park...with gators all about. Of course, I was on a boardwalk or a path, and they were well out of my reach...or I should say I was well out of their reach.

I started out by a huge pit of gators that had this fellow.

Napping

Then I followed the path to what actually turned out to be my most favorite part...the birds. It was a huge lagoon with a boardwalk over it. On all sides were trees with birds nesting in them. Below, in the murky waters, were hundreds of alligators. I was fascinated by this whole setup. How could they live in such harmony? Why would the birds choose to nest over such a pit of jaws? There was no overhead screen of any type, so the birds were free to go outside of the Alligator Farm when ever they wanted. And yet here they were, by the hundreds. I found out they liked the protection that the alligators offered from their natural enemies like raccoons, etc.

Just goofy


What now?


Part of the group


The nest

{Continue to part 2...}

St. Augustine Alligator Farm {Part 2 of 8}

Brown eyes


Solitary


Grace in the leaves


Blue bill


What is down there?

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St. Augustine Alligator Farm {Part 3 of 8}

This was one of the fellows that lived in the bird lagoon.

Taking a dip


Solitary

There were a lot of photographers here. I'm not that good at wildlife, but if this is your thing, this is the place to be.

Photog

Eventually the path wandered out of the bird lagoon, and I found myself by the monkey cage.

Linda...really

Next I was by another mini bird area with vultures. This jeep interested me, as the birds were off in the distance.

Vulture mobile

{Continue to part 4...}

St. Augustine Alligator Farm {Part 4 of 8}

I found myself then back at the main pit. I took another path that took me to alligators and crocodiles of the world.

Ancient


Happy to see ya


Ha Ha


Chillin'

I made a complete circle and decided to go back to the lagoon. This group of alligators were only a small sample of what was beneath all the birds.

v

{Continue to part 5...}

St. Augustine Alligator Farm {Part 5 of 8}

Water lurker


Nest watcher


Only a mother could love

Once again back at the main pit in time for the afternoon feeding.

Fangs

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St. Augustine Alligator Farm {Part 6 of 8}

Heads up


Big boy

After the feeding frenzy, I was pretty much tired and thirsty. So I found a shady spot for a little rest.

In the shade

That gave me the energy I needed to find the snack center. Where I rested a bit longer.

The snack alligator


Sweet relief

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St. Augustine Alligator Farm {Part 7 of 8}

A plant

Once more back to the bird lagoon before I left. They fascinated me.

Free as a bird


Pure white


Her egg


Fuzzy duo

{Continue to part 8...}

St. Augustine Alligator Farm {Part 8 of 8}

On the way out was the White Alligator seeking a bit of sunshine to lounge in.

Sun seeker


Red chairs on the farm's front porch


The end

The weekend...a beachy day

Here is how the day played out. The Loop was the night before.

Lunch at the Loop

They serve food

Saturday morning we went to the farmers market.

Pretty little red cones

Such a pretty sound

insync and concerned


“Silence is a fence around wisdom”
¸.•*´¨`♥ German Proverb

frames on fence

chairman of the gourd

P.V. Sea Bird Adoption Agency

oil vendor

shell shocked

"There is nothing as mysterious as something clearly seen"
¸.•*´¨`♥ Robert Frost

"One cannot spend forever sitting and solving the mysteries of one's history."
¸.•*´¨`♥ Lemony Snicket

"O Sun god! Mount on a boat of hundred 'oars' for our welfare. Accompany me... help me cross the 'Day'... and also the 'Night'."
¸.•*´¨`♥ Atharva Veda

the vases

“The human mind always makes progress, but it is a progress in spirals”
¸.•*´¨`♥ Madame de Stael

A view of the lighthouse

The Conch Lounge

looking out to sea

This is where geocaching led me.

Ripples

"Never be afraid to sit awhile and think."
¸.•*´¨`♥ Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun

Tide was out...these were on the rocks.

"Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone."
¸.•*´¨`♥ Unknown

tide givings

"I never was on the dull, tame shore, But I loved the great sea more and more."
¸.•*´¨`♥ Barry Cornwall

“Come fly with me!”
¸.•*´¨`♥ Frank Sinatra