What's up, fellow wanderer?
We’ve officially set up camp at Thousand Trails Orlando! We spotted a pair of sandhill cranes casually strolling through campsites like they owned the place within hours of arriving. (Spoiler alert: They do. We’re just visitors.) And, BONUS, we saw another pair after returning from a ride with a fluffy colt in tow! [FYI: a sandhill crane baby is called a colt.] Side note: I haven't managed to capture the little cutie in the campground but here's one from my Orlando Wetlands trip to give you an idea of how adorable they are!
We haven't explored much of the campground yet, but this place is huge! There are over 1,000 sites, and because this is prime Snowbird season, it is pretty full. I'll be checking out the pool and spa soon, so I will let you know how that goes next week. I hear there are gators in the nearby lake, but I haven't seen any yet. Don’t worry—we’re keeping a respectful distance, just in case!
But the real adventure this week? A trip to Gatorland!
"In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous."
🐊 Gatorland: Getting Up Close & Personal with Florida’s Toothiest Residents
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Gatorland calls itself the “Alligator Capital of the World,” and they’re not kidding! I love alligators almost as much as roseate spoonbills [trust me, it’s a LOT].
The moment we walked in, we were greeted by dozens of gators sunbathing like Florida retirees. Some of them looked ancient—probably plotting world domination between naps.
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We watched daredevil trainers wrestle massive alligators (seriously, WHO signs up for that job?), learned how to tell a gator from a crocodile (it’s all in the snout!), and—believe it or not—watched brave trainers feed chickens to giant jumping gators. Yes, you read that right. Gators jump for their food. If you’ve never seen a 12-foot reptile leap out of the water for a snack, … add it to your bucket list.
The real highlight, though, is the rookery. A hidden gem inside Gatorland, it is a bird paradise where hundreds of egrets, herons, and wood storks nest. We wandered along the boardwalk, completely mesmerized by fluffy baby egrets wobbling in their nests.
We found our way to Flamingo Island and watched graceful flamingos strutting through the water. It was like stepping into a nature documentary. (And yes, I took way too many photos—so of course, I had to pick a favorite for this week’s Photo of the Week!)
If you find yourself in the Orlando area, I highly recommend the Gatorland experience! Adult tickets are $34.99 with plenty of add-ons if you are interested. Hours are 10am - 5pm daily.
Featured Photo of the Week
This week's featured photo was hard to choose! I decided on this close up of the flamingos head because I just love their beautiful eyes. I shot this using my 12-100mm lens; settings: ISO 1000, f4.0 SS 1/2500. I have one of my camera buttons set to auto ISO and bird subject detection which helps to quickly get set up in the wild.
What's Next?
We’ve got another week in the Orlando area, and we’re planning to soak up as much adventure as possible—including at least one scenic drive since we FINALLY have the motorcycle back! I might even sneak in another visit to Orlando Wetlands—it’s quickly become my favorite hidden gem! Have you explored Orlando? What are your must-visit spots? Hit reply and share your favorite places—I’d love some new recommendations!
Enjoying This Newsletter? Share the Love!
As always, thanks for coming along on this adventure with me! I love sharing these moments with you, and I hope they spark a little wanderlust of your own. If you enjoyed this week’s newsletter, feel free to share it with fellow travel and photography lovers. Until next time—keep exploring, stay curious, and may your next adventure be just around the corner!
Until next week!
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PHOTOGRAPHER | TRAVELER | ADVENTURER
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