Having an entire day – and one that was beautiful as can be, I was challenged to find a good destination. Several came to mind – but (while checking out an alternative route) I opted to make a quick stop at Gatorland. While beautiful – right now it’s pretty quiet there – all the migrant birds have left for a couple of months, just to return for a new mating, nesting and breeding season.
Since my pal Tim was not on site – I lingered around for a while, but then decided to head towards the Atlantic and to visit the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, FL.
A 90 min ride, using the Old Melbourne Highway, I got a little dis-encouraged, after spotting a “Zoo straight ahead” sign and driving for 10-15 mins with no Zoo in sight – so I asked for directions. I was very close – just about 2 lights away. However – I found that a little more signage would have been beneficial.
Free parking at the Zoo and a modest admission price of $ 10.50 got me in.
The Zoo isn’t a huge one, and also doesn’t appear to want to make that appearance, which is appreciated. Carved into a jungle of palms and saw palmetto are the exhibits, lead by shady boardwalks and never having a typical Zoo atmosphere.
5 major sections + 2 Kayaking activities represent the Zoo’s exhibits:
- Expedition Africa:
Probably the crownjewel – featuring a unique, elevated platform, which enables you get face to face with giraffes and even feed them. Pretty cool! A massive and breathtakingly huge White Rhino, Common Eland, Ground Hornbill, Impala, Klipspringer and a Stanley Crane round up the group. There are more, but I list only those I saw. - Australia-Asia
Kangaroos, Wallabies, Fruitbats, Cassawaries, Kookaburras, Emu
’s, Dingo’s and Parrots make this exhibit a hoot. - Wild Florida
Next to American Gators and Crocodiles, Birds of Prey, the wetlands do feature native wildlife - La Selva
Jaguars, Monkeys, Great Anteaters, Macaws and more - Paws on
No comment yet – it’s under renovation
All in all a good place to be – good bounty to have for a photographer! – But see for yourself in the Gallery.
[Gallery not found]
The sites looking awesome Klaus, very slick indeed my man, great photoblogs.
Hi Klaus
The passion of nature we share is really a joy in my life. It gives my day an extra value. Your bird shots are amazing, some super shots you have posted !! And I like this layout…so keep this, Gatorman!
Vlaaitje
[...] Here’s a link to my very 1st Post on this incarnation of Virtua Gallery – Brevard Zoo! [...]
Klaus… I’m sorry to be so late in coming to see these lovely photos. In August, 2007, I didn’t know what a blog was, much less have visited any. I followed the link from your July 17 post. ALL your photographs are simply amazing, and a true pleasure to view.
Patricia Phillips – An Arkansas Stampers last blog post..It’s Sky Watch Time! – Post 46
Klaus… I’m sorry to be so late in coming to see these lovely photos. In August, 2007, I didn’t know what a blog was, much less have visited any. I followed the link from your July 17 post. ALL your photographs are simply amazing, and a true pleasure to view.
AHA, so that’s where the King Vulture resides! He has a pretty ugly head! Yes, that is a contradiction
Congrats on 400 posts again!
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PS: That is the ODDEST looking Kookaburra I have ever seen! Got the dingo right, they like eating babies you know
Shoot – you got me there. By now I know it’s not a Kookaburra, but some kind of a Giraffe or Yellow Hornbill.;) Well spotted!
HAHHAAA onya mate!
Look at you! You just jumped in with both feet! There’s a bright red/pink Ibis? Have you seen one lately? Just wow!! Let’s go to the zoo, eh?
Now that you say it that way, I sort of did, didn’t I?
But to be fair – I had a gallery before for quite a while.
It just was a static site not in blog format, so much more
boring… but it didn’t come out of the blue.
WONDERFUL photos! I like “eye” best.
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