We've experienced an unusually cold winter here in south Florida and you can tell it by looking at the plants in people's yards. Why, even today, the last day of March, our morning temperature was in the mid 50s. That is unseasonably cool by south Florida standards. That said, my darling husband and I did venture out on a chilly Sunday afternoon a couple of weekends ago to visit Flamingo Gardens. In all the years we've been here, we had never visited there.
Boy! Have we been missing a really cool place!
Birds of prey are caged within a setting that resembles their natural habitat. These owls were injured and could not be released after they were rehabilitated.
The Wildlife Encounter is held several times throughout the day and includes this amazing owl. All of the people working here are volunteers and the purpose of this little talk is to introduce people to the kinds of wild animals that live here in the Everglades. It's a brief talk, but immensely informative!
After our Wildlife Encounter, we visited the Everglades "Free Flight" Aviary. Now this is my kind of place! Birds EVERYWHERE! Like this wood stork, a native to Florida and (unfortunately) a member of the Endangered Species.
The aviary is 25,000 square feet and is a “free-flight” facility housing one of the largest collections of wading birds in America. Five ecosystems are represented through the display of native plants.
I don't know what kinds of birds these are (above and below). I must do some research, huh? But, gosh! Aren't they amazing looking?
This is an anhinga. I am so proud that I can write that word!
It took me months to remember the name of this bird. It's such an odd word. I see them frequently during my travels, usually alongside a canal, their wings spread for drying.
What I didn't realize is how blue their eyes are!
Another wood stork!
A snowy egret, also an Endangered Species.
One more wood stork! I think they're just so funny looking and fun to look at!
After we left the aviary, we encountered this beautiful peacock, up in a great oak tree. And, then ... we discovered the Wray home, the residence of the owners of Flamingo Groves way back when ...
The Wray home was built in 1933 by Floyd and Jane Wray on Long Key, a 200-year-old oak hammock. It is the oldest residence in Broward County west of University Drive. The Live Oaks surrounding the home are 150-200 years old and have an approximate life span of 500 years.
They do offer guided tours, but we enjoyed just "visiting" the quaint 1930s home. I think it's important for people to realize that there was no air conditioning back then. And, no mosquito control. Life wasn't easy. It was a long journey just to go to buy groceries! There was no Publix on every other corner as we have today. This was farm country and there were no interstate highways and few people.
Yet, their home is charming and appealing to visitors. Especially people like me and my darling husband who long for a time when things didn't move so damned fast!
Flamingo Gardens & Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary
3750 South Flamingo Road, Davie, Florida
