oconnortf

I have a few local parks that I go to for Exercise but I always try to combine the effort with the fun of shooting some of the amazing wildlife all around us here. This is Sawgrass Lake park in St Petersburg. One of my favorite spots especially when I want to spend time trying to get decent shots of elusive Armadillos. Usually I find one good subject at least on a visit... occasionally its just walking fast enough around to outrun the mosquitoes - But like many I try to find subjects of interest everywhere even if its just spiders, snails - flowers mushrooms.... you name it. But Critters are still my favorite subjects. This jaunt had me come across a first for me and it was a blast. I just wish I had brought a decent telephoto to do the subject properly.
So this park you often listen to leaves and rustling in the underbrush - often squirrels or assorted average birds, but occasionally you have an Armadillo and this time something a bit different.

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Dozens of shots of this Gopher Tortoise "Baby" about 2 inches long

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Still many to crop and clean up of this guy, I doubt I will ever find him again

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She was keeping an eye on me shooting Jr - lets just call her Momma

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This Black Headed Vulture was watching me too - I made sure Jr made it safely back to his underbrush burrow

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My favorite Armadillo shot of the day -

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after 5 years my first Green Anole (Sad) the Invasive Cubans have decimated the Greens - the greens now almost only live in the tops of trees

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She was also judging me - lets assume she is Grandma! 3 generations of Gopher Tortoises!

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This Turkey Vulture was circling over head only shot where I got the face fairly decently.

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DeeAndre Loc: Boyertown PA

Really enjoyed the photos of your safari; esp. the first one of Jr.

Ourspolair

Nice captures. Thanks for sharing and for protecting junior from the Turkey Vulture. The shot of the TV is beautifully caught and rendered.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Great captures.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Excellent set!

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Wow A group of beauties, and to me, the supremo is the armadillo Awesome

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Nice collection!

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Very nice set!

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Do vultures take live prey? I thought they only went for carrion?

Stan

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good series, Thomas.

oconnortf

You might be right but many carrion eaters are opportunistic - so they may very well eat something that can't run away or fight back very well. But I could also see the area of brush he was heading to - so I just kept taking pictures as best I could. Trying not to turn him away from his intended destination. once he got into the brush he went down what looked like a very small Burrow - when they get bigger I guess they move to sandy, loose earth area since they do not fit under and around roots anymore.

Tom70 Loc: NY

well done, great set, yes Sawgrass is a great park, never got this lucky, guess I'll have to slow down & look closer

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

Very nice set.