Halloween

I spent Halloween by myself this year in Florida. The day started out rainy and cold, but progressively got warmer throughout the day. I checked out of my hotel early in the afternoon so that I could plan what to do for the day since Stephen was in class. My plane didn't leave until 7:30 that night so I drove out to the Kingsley Plantation to take a look at the mansion and slaves quarters. I didn't have Stephen's bug spray with me and my elbows were just ravaged by insect bites. Also, see exhibit A:

I had no idea that bugger was on my eye until I looked at my picture, and yes, I now have a big red bug bite on my eye.

 I just love the scenery out here! There was a crane in this photo but he some how became camouflaged so I can't see him anymore.

I didn't know where to go after the plantation; I saw signs for the Jacksonville zoo nearby so I decided to stroll around the zoo for a few hours to pass the time. I then headed out to Jax beach until I needed to go back to the airport. I spent Halloween night sleeping on an airplane until I got home at 1:30 am.

 This is a tapir. I've never seen one before and he's a lot bigger than I had anticipated. Kind of ugly too.

 Komodo dragon

Kercheck and Kala

Inside that dog house is the worlds smallest deer species; it only grows to no more than 12 inches tall, and this blue little bugger was a nuisance. I walked into the bird refuge with no one else inside. I just walked around the place and this bird came flying at my face--I thought he was going to take my head off! I must have been near a nest or something because he made several attempts diving at my head to scare me away.