Courtship Display

Go large... He's really showing off!

Found North Port Florida's Audubon Rookery... Oh boy... Now that's a bird photographer's dream! An island (within a small lake) with every kind of shore bird you could think of all packed in; nesting, mating, preening, and rearing their young. I counted over 50 on one side of the island alone, and more came as the sun started to go down. There are also 3 large alligators that live on that island. Apparently it's a perfect situation for the birds, as the gators keep the raccoons and other predators away. Well, perfect until a bird falls into the water... Nothing keeps them in the area, they are free to leave, but tons of species nest right on top of one another by choice. Quite and amazing thing to see. I'll post more to flickr later, tonight I'm wiped out from too much sun and I hear my bed calling me...