LauderBlog
Apr 8: Jungle Gardens: Part Three
Posted On: April 7, 2008 5:02 PM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
Ok, let’s see. Where were we last week on our tour of Flamingo Gardens? We had just finished hanging out at the free-flight aviary -- an enormous screened-in area for dozens of birds native to Florida. Ducks and ibis, pelicans and anhingas, roseate spoonbills and seagulls and a lot more. All of them injured, like the other animals here. All of them unable to survive in the wild. After we finally dragged ourselves away from the aviary, Gwendolyn and I wandered off to find what else this wildlife sanctuary had to offer. There is a 25-minute narrated tram tour available but we decided to do the park on our own, drifting wherever our whims took us. Before long, they took us to a pond filled with flamingos that were clustering and eating and looking very lovely indeed. And to the alligators, off in another pond obviously. (Did you know their name comes from the Spanish word for lizard, “el lagarto”? I didn’t until I read it at the alligator exhibit.)
We also toured the historic Wray Home, built by Floyd and Jane Wray early in the 20th Century. It’s on the grounds and free to visitors of the park. This is a simple, pretty house, rustic but also elegant in its own way. A brief walk through the home gives you an idea what life would have been like in Florida 75 years ago. Challenging, I think, to say the least. No AC, no insect repellent. No thanks.
As we made our way through the rest of Flamingo Gardens we bumped into several gorgeous peacocks. One of them was determined to spread his magnificent tailfeathers while strutting down the sidewalk, preventing some amused tourists from passing. The peacocks are among many terrific photo opportunities for anyone who wants to snap some South Florida shots that don’t resemble everyone else’s. I’d also be inclined to point my lens at some of the vegetation on the “flowering tree walk,” as it’s called. And of course that free-flight aviary offers lots of great angles on many of Florida’s most interesting birds. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, I really do recommend spending at least a couple of hours at Flamingo Gardens. The wildlife encounter shows only take place in the afternoon at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30, weather permitting. For more information, call 954-473-2955. Or go to www.flamingogardens.org. It’s a glimpse of the natural Florida that too often gets overlooked by most of us. To me, this was well worth the short drive west to get there. The next time I entertain out-of-town guests, I’ll be back.
We also toured the historic Wray Home, built by Floyd and Jane Wray early in the 20th Century. It’s on the grounds and free to visitors of the park. This is a simple, pretty house, rustic but also elegant in its own way. A brief walk through the home gives you an idea what life would have been like in Florida 75 years ago. Challenging, I think, to say the least. No AC, no insect repellent. No thanks.
As we made our way through the rest of Flamingo Gardens we bumped into several gorgeous peacocks. One of them was determined to spread his magnificent tailfeathers while strutting down the sidewalk, preventing some amused tourists from passing. The peacocks are among many terrific photo opportunities for anyone who wants to snap some South Florida shots that don’t resemble everyone else’s. I’d also be inclined to point my lens at some of the vegetation on the “flowering tree walk,” as it’s called. And of course that free-flight aviary offers lots of great angles on many of Florida’s most interesting birds. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, I really do recommend spending at least a couple of hours at Flamingo Gardens. The wildlife encounter shows only take place in the afternoon at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30, weather permitting. For more information, call 954-473-2955. Or go to www.flamingogardens.org. It’s a glimpse of the natural Florida that too often gets overlooked by most of us. To me, this was well worth the short drive west to get there. The next time I entertain out-of-town guests, I’ll be back.
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