Wings and Wildflower

WARNING: Photo heavy post :)

A nice drive took us to Travares Florida.  We had signed up for quite a few classes at the Wings & Wildflower Festival.  The classes ranged from butterfly gardening with natives, to identifying native bees, and everything in between.

Cirikli Stilt Birds (Kids loved them)

The husband had a great time taking pictures.  I think he does a great job.  Here are some of the wings at the festival.

Hunter the Eastern Screech owl 

The Avian Reconditioning Center shared a few of their residence.  They are all injured birds who would not make it in the wild.  Except Henry he is for educational purposes.

Miko the Short-Tailed Hawk

Henry the European Barn Owl

Spartacus the Peregrine Falcon

Windy (or was this Stormy?) the Bald Eagle 

You can adopt a bird but it is not like adopting a cat from the Humane Society.  You can't take them home with you!

Meet the random Magnolia Green Jumper spider at Central Florida Zoo's booth

Central Florida zoo had a great table set up and were kind enough to share it with the locals.  Very nice group of ladies who came to represent the zoo.

A yellow corn snake trying to smile for the camera

A resident from the zoo 

As we explored the festival we did enjoy the sights of Hickory Point Park.  Having never been there before we where pleasantly surprised by the scenery.

This is the view from the dock looking at the festival.

Little Henry Lake

Butterfly Workx had a butterfly encounter the young 'uns really enjoyed. Even the almost teen spent the entire time chasing down a butterfly.  The husband chased butterflies and captured these.

Queen

Queen

Dryas Julia a very busy butterfly

Pipevine Swallowtail 

Zebra Long Wing

Zebra Long Wing

We learned about wildflowers, natives, and butterflies.  Oh, my!  I will point out, all the classes where presented by very educated individuals and had a little something for each of us.  Like the Golden Rain Tree is not native, and can be invasive!  Let me highlight just a few more people, places, and things.

The bee class was fascinating.  It was given by Jamie Pawelek.  Check out her website!  The kids weren't so interested, but the adults VERY interested.  Of course, it may have something to do with the playground right next to where the class was held.  Can you believe we have 315 species of native bees?

Birding takes a much keener eye than my son or I have.  Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to take pictures! (Thank you Mr. Dunkerton)

Lastly, Dr. Craig Huegel (University of Florida) is a very nice man.  We couldn't stay for his class (the kids got hot and tired), but buy his books!  I have really enjoyed them.

There was much, much more at the festival, but if you wanted to know it all you should have gone!