Wildlife and such at Naples Zoo

[urbpan]

The first time you see a white ibis in Florida it's shocking and magical--aren't they African animals? Didn't the ancient Egyptians mummify them by the million? Then you see a flock of 20 in a drainage ditch. Then you realize you're seeing them basically anywhere there's water. Then, if you're me, you hand-feed them cat food at the zoo.



This handsome Muscovy duck is not exactly wildlife, but not confined to an enclosure. It hangs around the "fish food" feeders along with the wild ibises and grackles.


While we took the boat ride that visited the primate islands in the zoo lake I spotted this common gallinule lurking in the mangrove.


I'm not sure what's going on here, but I assume this must be some species of strangler fig or other woody parasite.


I count three, maybe four species of lichen on this small patch of bark.


Also not really wildlife, but very colorful and attractive, these huge koi in the pond near the parking area.

Comments

[kryptyd.livejournal.com]

I always think of Egypt when I see ibis too. I've never seen one in rl, but I think they may be occasional visitors to Ireland and the UK. At least I'm pretty sure I've seen them mentioned in some of my bird books.

That gallinule, is that what we call a moorhen over here, or is it something slightly different? Now those (if it is the same thing) are common both at home and in the UK. They range from very shy, to very tame depending on where you find them. Just like herons, come to think of it. Those are always shy in Ireland and don't even like being looked at by humans, but there's a big load of very tame ones in Regents Park. They never fail to amaze me.

Lovely koi! I want a koi tattoo, but I'm not getting a tattoo.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Yes moorhen=gallinule, in fact I wrote moorhen first but changed it after verifying the species since gallinule seems to be the preferred North American name. (because we don't have moors? because there are cocks as well as hens in the species?)

I saw them when I visited England and Wales a while back: http://urbpan.livejournal.com/1112773.html

[kryptyd.livejournal.com]

Oh look. I commented on that moorhen as well, and forgot about it.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I noticed that too! Funny. :)

[barn-swallow.livejournal.com]

I've never seen a white ibis so your photo us shocking and magical to me! And all your posts are making me wish I was somewhere warm.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Yes warm, me too.