We had to make a choice between visiting a Botanic Garden, an Art Museum or the zoo; an afternoon at the zoo became first choice. It was uncrowded, and decorations for "Zoo Night Lights" (a month away) was well underway! There were infinite choices to photograph!
Here, in the walk-through aviary, were four Western Crowned Pigeons building at least one large nest. This beautiful bird is found in lowland rainforests of northwestern New Guinea but seemed quite comfortable walking around the few visitors! Sadly, because they are hunted for food and its plumes, it remains common only in remote areas.
Definitely not just another ordinary pigeon! This photo of a Western Crowned Pigeon has such vivid colors and clarity. I love it. Sad they are hunted. I like his beautiful red eyes looking at you! Nicely done!
How beautiful. Our egrets were hunted to near extinction. Up to five million birds a year were killed for their feathers! Florida’s first bird protection act was passed in 1901. I remember reading about similar laws passed in Louisiana because of all the migratory birds passing through.
To be honest, I think the old windmills are beautiful and technically interesting. Better than the new one. What bothers me is the adoration. They were workshops in all cases. Not made to be beautiful, which is now the case (often).
@mariaostrowski Thanks, Maria! This one is in the aviary in the SB zoo. I would expect SD would have them as well; it's a rather large and quite impressive bird that hardly even seemed shy!
Great hair do! lol