Alligators Watch Me Work
One of my most interest and enjoyable jobs was doing a tree survey and risk assessment at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. Curious animals of all types -- parrots, macaws, monkeys, and alligators -- were almost watching. Most of the work assessing each tree was outside of the animal enclosures. But at times like in the photo I had to be escorted.
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is a little gem with the most complete display of crocodilians in the world from the huge 15 foot 3 inch 1250 lb saltwater croccodile, Maximo, to the rare albino alligators. South American toucans and parrots, Australian kookaburras, Asian pheasants, and African hornbills are just a few of the exotic birds on display. There is also a native swamp exhibit where.JPG)
hundreds of wading birds fly in to roost in the late afternoons. Herons, egrets, ibis, spoonbills, and wood storks can be seen in their natural environment. These birds seek out evening roosts above the alligators, knowing that alligators will keep tree-climbing predators away.
