Voice of Spring，Frühlingsstimmen Walzer（副本）

念怡

Every spring, flocks of herons migrate to Florida's lagoon area to breed. St. Augustine's Alligator Farm, for some reason, is their favorite sancturary. The park has a waterbody that's full of alligators. Above them, are the trees full of birds. Hundreds and thousands of bird nests are built on those trees in the small park. Different types of cranes crowded together, shoulder to shoulder. For a time, the garden is bustling with birds' flapping and chirping! Egrets and herons are chasing each other, doing their courting and breeding.

Great Egrets are the majority here. Their elegant figure and behavior make them the favorite of photographers.

These white egrets are called by Chinese "fairy cranes," because of their pure and beautiful images.

As early as February, the first pairs of egrets start to arrive here and begin their courting. The males perk up their long feather, making all kinds of gestures to gain the attention of the females.

These beautifully opened feathers of male egrets are a special scene of the spring.

After courting, the "married couples" would be busy with breeding and nesting, showing different affectionate movements toward each other.

While building nests, the females would stay home. The males would bustle back and forth. They often hold a twig in the months, shouting while flying back, as if saying: "Darling, I've got some new furniture! You like it?" The female would then take it over and start to place it in a desired position. Sometimes the two would hold on one twig and try to work together. Quite a lovely picture!

Next, the females will lay eggs and start to incubate them. They would quietly sit in the nest, stand up once in a while to turn the eggs.

Once the chicks appeared, the mother bird would often stand and sit, busy preparing the food to feed to the young.

Another resident here is Spoonbill Roseate. They have bright color with beautiful feather, and often appear very funny.

The face seems like they are alway smiling.

Look! What's there?

Snowy Egret: They are small and beautiful, but quite aggressive. They are very territorial and often try to chase others away. Snowy egrets are very noisy, always shouting. Sometimes they even sound like humans.

They often built their nests on lower trees.

Ballet dancer

Wood Storks are very abundant here. They are large and ugly. But they seem to be mild and gentle. They work hard, flying back and forth, building their nests on highest places.

The "married" wood storks show very sweet manors. They often nestle against each other. When they hit beaks trying to "kiss," huge noises can be heard.

"Do you see what I see?"

Reddish Egrets are rather small. They move quick and abruptly. Their red eyes shine like rubies under the sun.

Mating display

American White Ibis. They are very active here this year.

What are you looking at?

"See that?"

Alligator farm is where gators are bred and fed. It's odd that the birds like to share such habitat with these beasts.

This is the mating display of a male gator.

Egrets could become victims of their predators under the trees.

The Alligator farm also house some other exotic birds such as crown Cranes, vultures and parrots.

"Eh, are you talking to me"

Good Bye!