Bird Ballet

Just off busy Route 41, also going under the misleadingly romantic moniker the "Tamiami Trail" (Tampa-to-Miami. Get it?) is a weird little Paradise.

Sandwiched between housing estates in a typical out-of-town arterial road drag, a large pond and a small island popular with all kinds of birdwatchers.

To deter marauders, the pond is infested with alligators.

Leaving the birds on the island free to build their nests, socialise,

Contemplate

Primp and preen

Enjoy an evening cocktail

And generally

let their hair down.

 And at the end of the day

As sunset approaches

More

And more home in

Herons, egrets, ibises, anhingas et al,  swooping and wheeling like mini pterodactyls

 Jostling and shuffling with guttural squawks

Until everyone finds a bed for the night.

 This is the Venice Rookery