Nov. 14, 2010 - Non-bird Photos from Gatorland

Last spring I took a photography class in Florida. Before the class, I spent a day at Gatorland, near Kissimmee, Florida. Of course you would expect to see Alligators at Gatorland and here is an eye level view of one of them.

AlligatorGatorland20100519

This is the only photo I got of an Alligator (on the left) and a Crocodile (on the right) next to each other. The rounded snout of the Alligator is one of the more obvious ways to distinguish it from the Crocodile which has a more pointed snout. Alligators are quite common in Florida but Crocodiles are not.

CrocodileAlligatorGatorland20100519

There are many beautiful flower displays at Gatorland. This Swamp Lily was included in one of them.

LilySwampGatorland20100519

The Brown Anole is native to Cuba and the Bahamas but has been introduced into the United States. It grows to a length of 5 to 9 inches. It is normally brown but can quickly change its color to match the surroundings. The male has a brightly colored flap of skin called a dewlap. Usually the dewlap is tucked in, as in the picture on the left. When the Anole is defending its territory or trying to impress a potential mate, the dewlap is extended as in the picture on the right. Females also have a dewlap but it is smaller and they usually don’t extend it.

AnoleBrownGatorlandcompare20100519

Buttonbush grows in wet areas and here is a close up of its flower cluster which is about the size of a ping pong ball.

ButtonbushGatorland20100519

I came across a bush just covered with these beautiful red flower clusters. I’m pretty sure it is a cultivated plant, not a wild one. But I wasn’t able to find out what kind it is. If you know, I’d be pleased to hear about it.

UnidentifiedredflowerGatorland20100519