Monday, October 24, 2016

The Birds of Busch Gardens


Busch Gardens, near Tampa, Florida is beautifully landscaped. We had a great time there last March. I loved the combination of exotic bird encounters, zoo animals and thrill rides. 



A wily octopus.



A sleepy Tawny Frog-mouth in the Kookaburra den. (Thanks to Stewart M. for identifying)



Duck or goose ballet.



A monster.



Cheetah run.



This is how I felt after roaming around the park all day.



An ibis of a different color.



The innocent beginning of our parrot encounter...



We fed little parrots in a boisterous enclosure. We both look like we're terrified. Or grossed out. That was not the case. But, my shoulder parrot was freaking out. He was so upset that the red bullies were getting all the food. So, I thought he might peck me in the face. He didn't. But he cried and begged pitifully the whole time. I'll never forget the desperate mews. Right in my ear.



See, my husband grimaced too! He's really loaded down here. We loved it. Really!



Did you know that flamingos stink? Clothes pin style.


Look at how they sleep. Awkward. Pretzel style.



A scarlet Macaw close up.



Of course, there's rides too.


Oscar waves goodbye!

Meanwhile, Halloween month really gets serious this week. We visited the lonely Sand Hill Cemetery last summer. Oh, and it's haunted...


Visit my other blog, The Chorus of the Crows for the gory details...


The Awesome Links:


32 comments:

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

That octopus sculpture is my favorite! So neat.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh my gosh -- we have to go there! To my Florida wish list immediately -- I onestly didn't realize it really WAS a garden spot -- just thought of it as a smaller Disneyworld with rides and stuff for kids.

I'm afraid to visit your other site... but I will be brave and do it anywa.y

NCSue said...

Wow - it's like a fantasy land!
Thanks for linking up at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/10/along-way.html

carol l mckenna said...

Wow! what a place to photography ~ how beautiful and great shots!

Wishing you a delightful week ~ ^_^

Fun60 said...

The photos of you are quite funny, you both looked terrified! I didn't get to Busch Gardens when I was in Orlando a few years ago, just ran out of time so thank you for the tour.

DJan said...

Oh that kookaburra just made me laugh out loud. :-)

Unknown said...

I love the parrots and the green lady is a beauty.

colleen said...

I thought it was a theme park with rides but you've given us a whole new take. I'd go just for the landscaped sculpture.

theartofpuro said...

The octopus is stunning :) Great pictures as always

Findlay Wilde said...

That looked like a great day out.

Les Fous du Cap said...

Nous adorons le Kookaburra ;-)
Céline & Philippe

mick said...

That looks like such an interesting place to visit. i especially like all the parrots but I don't think I would like them all descending on me at once!

DUTA said...

I smiled at the picture and its humorous caption: "This is how I felt after roaming around the park all day".
This park, with its richness of birds ,landscape and photography possibilities, is well worth roaming around.

Catch My Words said...

These photos are cool!

Unknown said...

Awww a kangaroo, never seen one so I'd totally love to enjoy this place!!

betty-NZ said...

I've heard that the Busch gardens are fantastic and your photos probe it. What an amazing variety of things to see!

Jeanne said...

These topiaries are really amazing looking. Must be such a lovely garden to visit! also think the expression on your faces holding the parrots is very cute... and looks just like my face would look holding these big and sometimes bitey birds.

Lady Fi said...

Such beautiful bird shots.

Anonymous said...

The looks on your faces are quite comical. I think I would be freaking out. I have never been to Busch Gardens, what a fun place.

Lisa @ LTTL

Stewart M said...

What a great array of colours and shapes - the colours that some bird posses are remarkable.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

PS: I think you will find that your Kookaburra is in fact a Tawny Frogmouth. SM

Buckeroomama said...

Aw, that looks like a really fun place! I love the comical expressions on your faces... too funny!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, what a fun place to visit. I love all the birds, the Scarlet Ibis is a beauty! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your Saturday and the weekend!

Anni said...

Super excellent all the way around today. Great photos, and a wonderful adventure!!!

We birders appreciate your participation this weekend at I'd Rather B Birdin'!!! Thanks for sharing this!!!

Molly said...

Love the bright bold colours of flamingo

Mollyxxx

Rhonda Albom said...

Thanks for all the bird photos and the funny story about the whining "shoulder" parrot.

Marja said...

Wow love the face with the flowers and all these beautiful animals. So much fun feeding these colourful birds except of course his cries in your ears lol

Jackie McGuinness said...

We'll be in the area in Dec/Jan and you've convinced me to go to Busch Gardens!

Anonymous said...

This is a colorful trip! And beautiful flower arrangements:) Your hubby's facial expression with all these beautiful parrots made me smile:)
Just to be sure, I tried to comment on your blog of The London Eye - impressive carriages, making the height less scary -and last week I did comment under "contact" but for the life of me, I can't get the comments to open up on your blog!
Anyways, all of that to say, thank you much for sharing these trips with ALL SEASONS! Have a beautiful week, Sharon!

Su-sieee! Mac said...

The photo of the kangaroo is neat. I don't think of kangaroos lying down. And, orange flamingos! Had no idea they could be anything but pink. I normally don't like going to zoos, but this one, I'd love to see. Thanks for sharing.
The View from the Top of the Ladder

Pat Tillett said...

Beautiful photos! So crisp and colorful. There used to be a Busch Gardens in my area also. Long gone...

A Colorful World said...

Wonderful photos of the real animals and birds and the not-so-real ones! Gorgeous topiary art! I've seen that cheetah on a tv show. Love all the wonderful animals. I'd love to visit there some time.

Budget Travel Talk said...

I love your photo of how you felt after a day in the park. I feel like that right now!