Wordful Wednesday: Florida Vacation Issue I

by Angie on February 15, 2011

Wordful Wednesday is like Wordless Wednesday, only WITH words. It’s for those of us that can’t contain the chatter, but in a good way. More info. in my tabber box titled WW on the right. Thank you for playing along!

I’ve been meaning to blog about our family vacation in SW Florida for a few weeks now. I’ve procrastinated and procrastinated because I have so many pictures that it’s almost overwhelming for me to try to divide the photos into categories, and then pick the best of the lot for display.

To that end, I’ve chosen my favorite TEN photos for today’s post from just a few minutes of our vacation.

So, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

These pictures were taken at Lory Landing in Busch Garden, Tampa. Such a cool place to take the kids. Within Lory Landing, for a mere 5 bucks (I’m being facetious here) one can buy nectar which the Lorikeet’s LOVE. They swoop down and start slurping up the nectar like they’ve never eaten before. The free-flight observational environment also has hornbills, pheasants and other birds that I wouldn’t know the name of to save my life.

My kids LOVED it. Loved it.

So did Jeff and I, really.

And the nectar? Totally worth it, even if it was highway robbery.

Don’t forget to hop on over to Amanda’s place to see what she has to be Wordful about.

{ 53 comments }

1 Elaine February 15, 2011 at 8:03 pm: Ha, love that red bird on everyone’s head! We’ve done something similar before and it is tons of fun! Great pictures and fun times!!
2 alicia Twitter: projectalicia February 15, 2011 at 8:05 pm: So jealous. Looks like so much fun. And WARM!!
3 Jen February 15, 2011 at 8:11 pm: Ok, so the birds are cool and all but there is no way I would hold that nectar.

Bird flying at me or around me totally freaks me out.

Awesome pictures.
4 Mrs.Mayhem Twitter: motheringmayhem February 15, 2011 at 8:19 pm: Those photos are so fun! Looks like evryone was having a blast!

$5 is a lot for the nectar, but think of it as the cost of the awesome experience.
5 Nicole@ Moments that Define Life Twitter: MTDLBlog February 15, 2011 at 8:25 pm: I totally don’t have my post ready……but I wanted to comment that the birds…would totally freak me out. I’m not gonna lie. Very cool that the kids enjoyed it though! I would be hiding….outside of the bird area.

PS: I started a Meme…..it didn’t start with a bang……but I think it might have potential. Apparently, no one cares about my wanting to protect Justin Bieber from the potential pitfalls of stardom. Who knew? And I want to add, that if you’re little cuties became the next big thing – they would totally be ok because they’d have you keeping them straight. And their big sisters to beat them up…..
6 Honey Mommy February 15, 2011 at 8:37 pm: I bet my boys would LOVE that! How cool to have the birds land on you.
7 Marilyn @ A Lot of Loves February 15, 2011 at 8:38 pm: I like pretty birds…as long as they’re not on my head. Eek! A little scary.
8 Alicia February 15, 2011 at 8:54 pm: Wow..you guys are brave!! I would be scared to do that! But, I do love all those colors!
9 Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation Twitter: RachelVoorhees February 15, 2011 at 9:05 pm: Love your pictures and so glad you had a fabulous trip!
10 Mrs. Cox February 15, 2011 at 9:10 pm: Oh I’d LOVE to do that. But oy… $5?? LOL
11 Buckeroomama Twitter: buckeroomama February 15, 2011 at 9:12 pm: That looks like such a lot of fun –for the kids! I’m sure I’d enjoy it, too.
12 Deb - Mom of 3 Girls Twitter: debmomof3 February 15, 2011 at 9:13 pm: Oh I haven’t been to Busch Gardens since I was a kid! Looks like you guys had a fun time there – love the photos!
13 kristin February 15, 2011 at 9:13 pm: You can do that in San Francisco. Except the birds are pigeons and the nectar is bird seed you buy from this homeless looking person w/ poop all over her clothes. I think it was cheaper than $5. lol.

Looks like the kids LOVED it. So that’s worth $5.
14 Mrs. Marine Twitter: mrsmarine February 15, 2011 at 9:21 pm: Wonderful collage! Looks like so much fun!!!
15 Amy Twitter: FamilyTrifecta February 15, 2011 at 9:39 pm: Isn’t it awful how much the nectar costs? But yes, it is totally worth it. I love the brightness of the colors you captured. Great photos.
16 Kisha Floren Twitter: kishafloren February 15, 2011 at 9:55 pm: What a cool experience! They will remember that forever!
17 Erin Twitter: ErinsMiracles February 15, 2011 at 10:02 pm: We took the boys to the LB Aquarium and they have a Lorikeet enclosure, and OMG it was so much fun!
The smiles on your kids face just tells the story!
18 Kara @ His, Hers and Ours Twitter: KandJplus5 February 15, 2011 at 10:28 pm: Did y’all stay in the Tampa area, or did you go farther South? I’m in North Fla…and must say, I love the Tampa/St. Pete area. Gorgeous beaches!

I have never heard of Lory Landing, but your pictures are gorgeous! How fun!
19 Vanessa (Chefdruck) Twitter: FrenchFoodieMom February 15, 2011 at 10:42 pm: Your kids are fearless. We did this at the Columbus zoo and one of the birds nipped my 4 year old. No blood but lots of tears. Pretty birds but tough beaks!
20 dysfunctional mom February 16, 2011 at 1:25 am: We went to Busch Gardens last year, it was a blast!
I have that same dilemma with pictures; it’s so hard to pic a few for the blog and not post a million pictures!
21 Jessica Twitter: fourplusanangel February 16, 2011 at 4:35 am: I’m really not good with birds, especially not on my head. But I would take the warmth and sunny in a heartbeat.
22 blueviolet @ A Nut in a Nutshell February 16, 2011 at 4:49 am: That’s actually such a cool experience, but do they poop on you? That’s what I’d be worried about. I’m such a worrywart.
23 Paula Kiger Twitter: biggreenpen February 16, 2011 at 5:18 am: LOL – cool pix and I didn’t know about that bird-feeding option at Busch Gardens (and I live in FL!). Similar highway robbery deal at Sea World with feeding dolphins, though – you can stand there for free – a LONG WAY away from the dolphins or buy about 25 cents worth of fish for $7 and stand closer and actually feed the dolphins. Guess what we chose?!
24 danyele February 16, 2011 at 5:21 am: i love that it’s good for the kids and fun too!!!!
25 Abby Approved February 16, 2011 at 5:23 am: Looks like fun!
26 Evonne Twitter: _MamaJules_ February 16, 2011 at 5:48 am: How cute! We have lorikeets at our aviary. They really do love that nectar!
27 @PamelaMKramer - A Renaissance Woman Twitter: pamelamkramer February 16, 2011 at 5:56 am: Such cute kids! Looks like you all had a great time.
28 Diane Twitter: bestillaminute February 16, 2011 at 5:56 am: Great shots! We went to a zoo in Columbia, SC with a bird santuary just like that. My boys loved it!
29 Dawn Twitter: 7alltogether February 16, 2011 at 5:59 am: wow! my younger kids would love that too-my oldest doesn’t like birds-looks like alot of fun-FL always sounds so nice by this time each winter
30 Pamela - Panty Liner Bandit WW Twitter: lotsospermies February 16, 2011 at 6:09 am: These birds look like they’re enjoying your family to the fullest…

P.S. I double linked, oops and sorry!
31 Erin February 16, 2011 at 6:35 am: Our zoo does this too, it is really cool!
32 Stefany T February 16, 2011 at 6:35 am: Oh man, send me anywhere warm and I will be happy! My kids would be thrilled with your experience for sure!
33 Julie {Angry Julie Monday} Twitter: AngryJulie February 16, 2011 at 6:41 am: Those are great photos! It looks like fun times!
34 noelle Twitter: jumpinbeans09 February 16, 2011 at 6:44 am: it looks like the kids loved it!
i love the bright colors of your photos!!!!
35 Joy February 16, 2011 at 6:54 am: we have Lorikeet Landing at our zoo here in Nashville and u can buy the nectar for like $1 to feed them, they are crazy birds. my girlfriend got pooped on once while we were in there
36 Susie's Homemade February 16, 2011 at 7:31 am: Looks like a great time:-)
37 Melissa February 16, 2011 at 7:42 am: Your kids are beautiful.
What a fun adventure to do together.
38 Cecily R February 16, 2011 at 8:06 am: Oh, it looks like so much fun! I love the shot of your daughter laughing with the bird on her head!
39 Stacy Uncorked Twitter: RandomCoolChick February 16, 2011 at 8:22 am: Love the shots! Good thing Princess Nagger is at school, she’d want to figure out how to get one of those birds as a pet!
40 Lisa Twitter: LisaNoel03 February 16, 2011 at 8:26 am: I have a total bird phobia, so I totally have the chills now. It’s also the excuse I’m using for why I somehow ended up with two links in your linky, SORRY about that! I have no idea what I did.
41 Slee February 16, 2011 at 8:28 am: Wow. Looks like someone had a lot of fun.
Also, I totally borked the linky entry. sorry about that.
42 Jenn @ Coolest Family on the Block Twitter: coolfamilyblog February 16, 2011 at 8:44 am: Those birds are just beautiful! I’d love that. Not sure about my daughter, she’s still pretty young, but she’d love looking at them. I’ve been to FL about 50 times, but I’ve never went to Busch Gardens. We used to go to Cypress Gardens all the time (totally different), but I hear now that they closed it and are building a Legoland or something there
43 Kelli @ writing the waves Twitter: writingthewaves February 16, 2011 at 8:58 am: Wow! What a cool birds! Looks like they were loving it. I still have tons of pics from our Disney vacation that I haven’t blogged about yet either. On my to-do list!
44 Cascia Twitter: cltalbert February 16, 2011 at 11:33 am: Looks like a lot of fun! Visit The Zoo for my WW. http://talbertzoo.blogspot.com/2011/02/wordless-wednesday-mohawk-baby.html
45 Mama Zen February 16, 2011 at 12:21 pm: Those birds are such a gorgeous color!
46 Southern Queen of the Crazies February 16, 2011 at 12:53 pm: We have had them poo on us. Not fun!!
47 Casey February 16, 2011 at 1:11 pm: Your kiddos are as gorgeous as ever! We’ll hear more about this vacation right?
48 Mammatalk Twitter: Mammatalk February 16, 2011 at 3:30 pm: What a great experience! A colorful one, too.
49 LadyD Books Twitter: LadyD_Books February 16, 2011 at 4:11 pm: We have Lorikeets at the Wild Animal Park and truly, it is fun! But, I’ve never seen a RED/Blue one before… Simply gorgeous!
50 Krystyn Twitter: SeriousKrystyn February 16, 2011 at 6:07 pm: Wow. Sure looks like an awesome and colorful trip.

And, seems like the weather really cooperated for you.
51 Stephanie @ The Blue Zoo February 16, 2011 at 11:22 pm: That looks like a TON of fun!! And definitely worth the $5! =)
52 Galit Breen Twitter: galitbreen February 19, 2011 at 5:10 am: Ohmygoodness friend! Ohmygoodness! The pictures! The colors! The nectar! The birds! On your heads!! Looks fab and for the record: I so would have chosen (at least!) ten pictures to share, too!
53 Shell Twitter: shellthings February 21, 2011 at 11:52 am: Oh, my boys would love that!