Monday, March 17, 2008

Magnolia Plantation Green

In honor of St. Patrick's Day the whole of Magnolia Plantation's Audubon Swamp Garden was a-wearin' o' the green!
The green is all duck weed, lemna, which is our smallest complete vascular plant. A lot of people think the water is covered with algae, but it's not, it's an edible plant.

These ducks are all blue-winged teal. They are the first to come in the fall and the last to leave in the spring.

These sunning ramps for the alligators are 6-7 feet long so you can see that there are some good sized alligators there. These pictures really need clicking for enlargement to see the neat alligator expressions. You shouldn't trust their smiles any more than a crocodiles!



Every available spot had a turtle.



7 comments:

  1. The alligators really do look like they're smiling! Heh, heh. And the turtle on the stump photo is a hoot!

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  2. Great shots as always! They do have really huge gators there. The boards make it nice for taking pics. I love the green "blanket" on his back :-) That smile is probably in anticipation of his next meal.."mmmm juicy humans". Beautiful ducks. I've never seen a turtle choose such an awkward place to sit....very funny!

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  3. Beautiful pictures, Bruce. I love how the gators and turtles sun themselves together on the ramps. The teals are so pretty. I like your "green" idea! :)

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  4. Thanks, Linda, Mary, and Lin! I hope to get back soon to see more flowers too.

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  5. Looks like there's some turtle soup in the making. They are some great combination shots Bruce!

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  6. Hi Bruce! I got here via Sandpiper's blog. I love this post, it reminds me of views I often see around here in Florida, including the gators! (And they *do* look like they are smiling all the time, don't they?) Great photos!

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  7. Nice shots of the Blue-winged Teal. I also like the sunning ramps that the park put up. Very nice. I've been to the Okefenokee Swamp- they aren't as nice there- the gators have to use the river banks. Poor gators. :)

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