During my short working trip to Florida, I was able to make a stop by Gatorland in Orlando before getting to the airport for my return flight. I had heard that there was a marsh area that was teeming with wildlife along the gator park. The Gatorland Bird Rookery was built in 1961 as an alligator breeding marsh, and the local bird life discovered a perfect place to set up home.
Since I missed an opportunity to get to explore with Feygirl of Serenity Spell in her marsh, the Gatorland rookery would have to be a distant second. Mid-January and the Great White Egrets where in the middle of breeding season.
This is when these majestic white birds are in their full glory. With elegant feathers delicately spread out for full display.
It is the man’s job to build the nest to attract his mate so that they can raise some little baby Great Egrets.
Sometimes his best laid efforts may be critiqued by his chosen mate. This female Great Egret really had something to say to her partner. Clearly she was squawking about something that she wasn’t pleased about.
Her little sweetheart came back to the nest and tried the lovey dovey approach. Surely his handsomeness will appease her ruffled feathers.
But she would have none of it and kept squawking away. He had enough of her nagging, and rather vexed flew off to find some peace and quiet.
It was such an incredible experience to walk the walkway of Gatorland’s Bird Rookery. These birds are just feet away from the boardwalk and are very accustomed to people walking past them. Gatorland offers Photographer passes that allow then early entry and full day access to the park. I met another photographer who travel from Massachussetts to photograph the easily accessible wildlife at the park.
It’s not a large park and is easily navigible. Of course, they now have zip lines over the alligator pits that have my name written all over it. Next visit !
Categories: Birds, Florida, Foot Prints, Nature, travel
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Great shots!
Thank you so much Tom ! It was such an amazing experience.
Wow, beautiful photography. What a great experience.
It was really incredible and wish I had more time. Another nest had eggs, so I wish I lived closer so that I could go back and see the little fledglings.
Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you back soon. Bella
Beautiful! The egrets I got at the San Diego Zoo did not have the extra lacy feathers. Is that just at mating? It is so delicate.
Yes, they come out during mating season. their bills also become that brilliant green. Nature is amazing isn’t it?
Amazing changes. The one I captured di just have the yellow bill.
Fantastic Emily! Love seeing these magnificent birds in their breeding plumage and the green lores on their face!
I love the guy with the twig in his mouth for nest material!
Isn’t he fantastic ! Wish it wasn’t midday with bad lighting. But I will take what I can get ! Do you get to see many Egret nests also?
The lighting looked fine.
There is a rookery nearby us where we can see egrets and other birds nesting in late Spring.
Got one pic from that in my egret gallery.
http://phillanoue.com/great-egret-photos/#jp-carousel-620
WOW ! Those photos are amazing ! You really have a spectacular collection there Phil. The one where the fish is bigger than his mouth? One day I want to be like Phil….
Really great pictures, Emily. Beautiful birds. Must have been a great experience!
It really was Bente, and how I wished I lived there as I’d be there all the time photographing and visiting the birds. I’d probably even give them names!
Emily, beyond beautiful! Great shots !! Cute summary 🙂
Thanks Judy ! She was really pissed about something, and he tried his best to make her happy. Didn’t work. LOL !
White splendors, breath taking to watch nature. Thank you.
I could have spent all day watching the birds and alligators doing their thing. What a fun place.
You are amazing!
You wouldn’t believe this place Rebecca ! The birds where right there. In fact, I reached out and touched one gently that was standing on the boardwalk handrail. You’d have to be terrible with a camera to get a bad shot. 🙂
Wow, fabulous shots!!!
You are awesome Rexlin and always here. Thank you so much for being you.
Excellent photos! I’m so jealous, the egrets here in Michigan never look like that.
I’d imagine they have their babies south, then migrate north in the summer right? I had never seen them in full breeding glory. It is truly stunning.
They do breed here, it’s a regional thing. I have noticed the same thing with great blue herons, they never develop the same breeding plumage here that they do in other parts of the country.
Wonderful birds – excellent shots… 🙂
Are there any birds like this in Denmark?
Not this White Egret, but other from that large family of herons… 🙂
Beautiful photos. Love how you caught the story with your pictures. The contrast of their delicate white feathers and the green foliage is magical.
Such a generous compliment, and thank you so very much. It really was a great story to watch unfold. Wish you could have been there.
These are just wonderful!!! Love the narrative- lol
Thanks Maya ! She was pretty awesome in her own fussy way.
Ahhh….. Bella, Bella!! These have to be my very favorite birds, for sheer grace and beauty… how fortunate you are to be so close to so much beautiful nature down there in Florida! May I use one of the photos in an upcoming blog post, with proper credit back to you? namaste, Leigh
Hi Leigh ! That is fabulous that you enjoyed this post so much. It is true, such a lucky girl was I to be able to enjoy these beautiful birds in all their glory in such close vicinity. I’d be happy if you would share one of the photos on your posts. Hope Denmark is treating you well. Emily
Thanks, Bella Emily…. Denmark is pretty right now with all the wintery white and even a bit of sunshine today…. still, southern Florida sounds pretty good in February….. blessings, Leigh
I can’t even imagine how beautifully cold it is there. Hopefully you get some daylight. I’ll send some your way to warm your day.
Actually, with this deep freeze we are currently in, it is incrdibly light with all the snow and frost…. great hory frost over all the branches and everything…so beautifullly FREEZING!!!! but I am grateful for such brilliant LIGHT… and in fact, it returns dramatically up this far north….. but you can certainly say hi to Mama Ocean for me!!
The third one reminds me of a Chinese painting! And I had no idea the males had that spot of green on their beaks! Amazing shots Emily!
Hi Madhu ! Thank you so very much. Actually, the green only comes out during mating season, so it was wonderful to be able to enjoy their full glory.
Fantastic photos, Emily! Last year I caught them during breeding season in South Carolina. I’m hoping to return this spring for another shoot. Your photos are wonderful, and I especially like the one of the pair together. Lovely!
Thank you so much Tricia ! I have several more, but they didn’t add to the dramatic story. i should share them, just for you!
Wow, Emily, just wow, These are absolutely gorgeous images. I love them, the first couple are my favourite.