CIRCLE B BAR RESERVE/NATURE CENTER

A day spent at the Circle B is my favorite thing to do down here.  I awe at how the natural environment changes with each visit.  Two days before, we had steady rain and the water levels were an indication that the rain also came down at the Circle B. 
With the lake being high we didn't see any gators on that side ~ but the birds were everywhere!  Screeching, calling, patiently waiting until they could grab the insects or fish near the water. 
A little squirrel entertained us and when I looked down a 5' shiny, black snake was being entertained by us.  Just lying there, taking in the warmth of what sun was peeking out.  Joe thought it was dead/not so/I could see it's eyes, looking at me.  We backed away and the snake started to move too.  I caught a few pictures, only one shows it's length and then not all of it. 

Long and fat, not far from my bare toes!
I need to wear my boots out there!  

White Egret

A great heron.

So cute ~ eating this orange flower. 

We observed an armadillo using his snout to look for bugs. The armadillo was intriguing to watch.  He was digging every few feet, looking for lunch.  He looked like a small tank moving through the dead grasses.

An anhinga perching on this log, drying it's feathers.
The turtles keeping him company are quite large. 

We saw this alligator, hosting a turtle near his tail.
We saw five other gators, on the muddy, shallow side of the path.

This path is well used, coming out of the water right up onto the path we were walking on.  It goes down on the other side of the path.  Alligators climb up this path, from the lake to get to the muddy ditch on the other side.

We chatted with three men coming towards us on the path.  Each carrying a mega spotting scope, attached to their cameras/used for close-ups of nature. They mentioned the scopes/cameras were for their enjoyment and their enjoyment comes when they sell the pictures.
The guys were good sports to hold Flat Stanley for me. 

LAKE LOUISA STATE PARK/FLORIDA

 North of us, on Hwy. 27, is Lake Louisa State Park.  I decided to go there one day when Joe went golfing. I was looking forward to seeing a few migrating birds, maybe an alligator or two.  Well, I drove through twice.  It's a nice park~I encountered some snowbirds that camp there, some for days, some for weeks, some for months.  There are some very nice cottages for rent, with a lake view. I walked out onto a pier/thought I'd see a gator/nope.  In fact, I saw a few vultures and that was it!  
What I did see was a sign, then another, then another...remember this song? 

                    Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs
                 Blockin' up the scenery, breakin' my mind
              Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?


Well, I read them and took pictures of them. 
I had Flat Stanley along/he wriggled his way in on the pictures. He's been doing that lately, most every place we go! 

Wildlife crossing?  How wild could the turtles be?

Posters of tracks that could be found in the park.  We didn't find any tracks/only signs.  See the anole on one of the posters? 

Typical Wisconsin sign.

I saw evidence of controlled burning in the park. Probably what this sign was put up for. 

Yup, alligators...didn't see any at this lake.
They are in there, I just didn't see them.

Horses?  There must be horseback riding in this park.

Hmmmm...not sure I want to go back to Wisconsin.
It's 84' at 10:38 a.m. ~ NICE!

DOWNTOWN DISNEY

First stop ** Ghirardelli Chocolate!
They have ladies standing all day passing our sample squares of various chocolates!
Oh my, this is the best stop in
Downtown Disney! 
(Sometimes twice!)

I very much like Mr. Potato Head. 
Found an extremely large one at 
Downtown Disney! 
(Remember Geri, don't throw Mr. Potato Heads out! I will take all you can find.)

Without putting Flat Stanley in danger ~
I snapped this picture quickly.  Needed to have one with him "up close" to an alligator!

The Loch Ness Monster! 
Made entirely out of Legos!
Lego Land opens down here in 2011.               

The foot of T-Rex!
The T-Rex Restaurant is THE place to go for Nacho Grande! One plate serves two to three people ~ unless Joe is along!

WORLD'S LARGEST MC DONALD'S

It has been some time since I've blogged. We have just been living each day and enjoying the wonderful weather, here in Florida. 
I have decided to post some current pictures.  We are hosting Flat Stanley for Nora Alsum~Brandon School~Brandon, Wisconsin. 
It has been a hoot taking Flat Stanley around where ever we go!  So many people recognize him!  

We went to the World's Largest Entertainment McDonald's. 


Ronald here ~ 
holding the world in his hands. People from all over the world do visit this McDonald's restaurant. 

    Flat with Mac Tonite ~ he sings, he dances, he moves while singing, he's a moon man! 

Along with the regular menu, this Mickey D's has an extended menu of paninis, pasta, cakes, pizza, etc.
The play areas are huge!  Upstairs it's a play land on steroids!  The third level has slides, climbers and great fun for kids.