Daytona ... the Thanksgiving trip (heavy on the pics!)

[tigerlily]

Well I just got back from a week in Daytona. I had a great time with my sister, her husband and four kids, my dad and my grandparents. Oh and of course my husband and two kids as well. It was AWESOME.

First off we spent some time on the beach. Fortunately the weather was pretty nice. Mostly in the high 60s and low 70s. It was GREAT!

This pic was taken at the park right above the beach, of my broken child with the freaky elbows. It's just not normal.... eh.


We found like 10 of these starfishes and a couple others of another species... I've never seen one so purple!


Here's a bunch of the rugrats playing on the beach!


Then my sister, her husband and I hunted down lizards in my grandparents backyard... we finally caught this teeny little guy.


This squirrel is such a fatty. My grandmother spoils the little boogers rotten!


We took a trip to Blue Springs Park and saw a LOT of manatees!!!




We saw quite a few Cormorants...


This grackle was pretty cool


On our little hike we saw this little fellow too... What a cutie!


I just had to post this pic, because it was pretty...


And this one too!


Here's the actual spring... (it's the dark spot next to the manatee)


Here's a HUGE gator that was hanging on the opposite bank. Never did see his face.


We also saw two alligators just swimming up toward the spring. It was so cool!


We also took a little trip to the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse and the science center next to it.



Here my first wild snake pic! WOOHOO!!!!


This Red Tail Hawk was very irritated, but still gorgeous. Most of the animals at this science center were rehabs.


This owl wasn't impressed with us at all.


I couldn't imagine how this little guy had survived the injury.


All in all it was a wonderful trip. I did take over 400 pics so this is just a teensy samply of all the pics I took.

[Slim]

Looks like the turtle got hit by a boat prop. Hope they can rehab the little guy.

[nwheat]

Looks like a wonderful trip!! Great pictures - I'm lovin that purple starfish!

[West Coast Jungle]

Wow so many great pics! You really did get to see alot of wildlife
Looks like a really nice weekend. The manatees are soo cool! and the alligators are always a thrill to see in their own enviroment, thanks for sharing.

[python.princess]

Awesome shots, Christie! Looks like a fun time!

[tigerlily]

Looks like the turtle got hit by a boat prop. Hope they can rehab the little guy.

Yup, that's what we figured. I hope the little guy pulls through, if he has made it this far I hope that bodes well.

Looks like a wonderful trip!! Great pictures - I'm lovin that purple starfish!

It really was a great trip. Thanks Nancy.

I never knew starfish could be that purple. My pic doesn't do it justice!

Wow so many great pics! You really did get to see alot of wildlife
Looks like a really nice weekend. The manatees are soo cool! and the alligators are always a thrill to see in their own enviroment, thanks for sharing.

I know! It was awesome.

This was my first time to see a gator in the wild and I saw THREE!! Then the snake. I was in total animal heaven. My family was all making fun of me, and my husband threatened me when I went after the snake. I so could have had it!

Awesome shots, Christie! Looks like a fun time!

Thanks Melanie! It was fun sharing it all with my family too.

[JLC]

Wow! That looks like way too much fun! We never do stuff like that...we're so boring! LOL

[grunt_11b]

Looks like you had a great time!! The pics are great. Thanks for sharing..

Alan

[tweets_4611]

Awesome pictures! It looks like you guys had a blast! I love the picture of the shadow of the light house and the one of the giant leaf...too cool!

[Lucas339]

those are some excellent shots. are you from florida? if not thanks for stopping by!

i hope you didn't keep those sea stars!!!