Giant anteater born at Florida zoo

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 19 (UPI) -- Stella-Abril, a 13-year-old giant anteater at the Jacksonville, Fla., Zoo, has become a mother for the fifth time, zoo officials said.

Zoo officials said the baby's sex won't be known until it is older and the right to name the infant will be auctioned off next month, the Jacksonville (Fla.) Times-Union reported.

The baby was born Feb. 22. His father is named Killroy. The mother and baby are on display at the River's Edge exhibit, where the infant spends its time clinging to its mother's back.

Naming rights will be auctioned off at the zoo's annual ExZOOberation fundraiser on April 16.

Zoo officials said giant anteater births in captivity are relatively rare.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2011/03/19/Giant-anteater-born-at-Florida-zoo/UPI-30731300547266/#ixzz1JTt756GT

Thinking of enjoying the movie but confused where to stay in - book yourself one of the Florida villas or Orlando villas for your Florida vacations and have a great time partying and enjoying here.

Boat parades: A unique Florida holiday tradition

Let's face it, Floridians, we don't do the holidays in the Sunshine State the way they do up North.

In previous Postcards installments, I've written about my family's tradition of heading out to the beach on Christmas Day for a game of touch football in the sand — not something that's an option, say, in Idaho.

Here's another holiday tradition that's unique: The holiday boat parade.

Hey, anyone can decorate a house. When you're putting lights on a houseboat, it's something different.

For the tourists this will be a great sight of Florida, for those who are confused about where to go here are some places you could consider to visit during your stay at Florida.

Once you step out of your Florida Villas There are an assortment of floating festivities, including:

•46th Annual St. Johns River Christmas Boat Parade: This year's flotilla is slated to cast off at 6 p.m. on Dec. 11 at Catfish Bend (Marker 36) north of Whitehair Bridge on the St. Johns River in DeLand. It travels south, finishing at roughly 8 p.m. at the north end of Lake Beresford.

There are a few recommended spots to watch from shore, including Ed Stone Park, at State Road 44 in DeLand and the Lake Beresford Yacht Club. For entry information and other details, call 386-801-5685.

11th Annual Halifax River Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade: It begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4 north of the Seabreeze Bridge on the Halifax River. From there, the boats travel south to the basin in front of the Halifax River Yacht Club, then turn into the north basin at the Daytona Beach City Marina for judging.

Viewing is available anywhere along the river or on downtown bridges at Seabreeze and Main streets or International Speedway Boulevard. For details, visit dbchristmasboatparade.com or call 386-255-7459.

•Marathon's Boot Key Harbor Lighted Christmas Boat Parade: Watercraft ranging from dinghies to yachts will cruise the harbor in a sparkling procession starting at dusk on Dec. 11. Best viewing sites include Lazy Days South, Marathon Marina, Sombrero Dockside Lounge and Burdine's Waterfront. (305-743-9629; bootkeyharbor.com/christmas_parade).

•Key Largo Boat Parade: This year's theme for the parade on Blackwater Sound is "Under the Sea," marking the 50th anniversary of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. It starts at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11. (305-451-4502; keylargoboatparade.com)

•Winterfet Boat Parade: The 39th 'Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade' will have Cirque Shows, holiday displays, BMX racers, a floating airplane, dancers, music and dazzling floats. Selected as the kick-off event for the City of Fort Lauderdale's Centennial, this year's parade will be held on Dec. 11. The Grand Marshal is current Dancing With the Stars cohost and former winner Brooke Burke. Tickets to view the parade at the Grandstand Viewing Area are $16 for children and $21 for adults. For more information call Winterfest, Inc. at 954-767-0686

Read More

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/os-fla-destinations-boat-parades-112820101127,0,701325.column

Canoe Escape

Located just 10 minutes from Busch gardens, Canoe Escape believes that a canoe is the ideal place from which one can enjoy the beauty of nature. This one is a trip not to be missed as it is a peaceful ride once you leave your luxurious Florida villa to escape from the buzzing streets to nuzzle with nature and wildlife. Canoe escape offers choices of the trips ranging from 2 hours to a whole day. If you are a first timer it would be a great experience to learn about paddling and the best option would be to take a two hour trip to view the wildlife. Great blue heron white ibis Florida red-bellied turtle alligator and anhinga are the species that are seen for sure. Deer red - winged blackbird belted kingfishers are often seen too. The seasonal birds like the roseatte spoonbill yellow-crowned night heron blue-gray gnatcatcher wood stork are spotted at certain times in the year.

Alligators are said to be predators for humans and highly dangerous but if you are not going to disturb them they are not going to even interfere with you. As you move along the canoe you will be gazing at a dozen alligators that might get into underwater due to the reclusive nature and over the 18 years at Canoe escape which is a cypress swamp, a home for the gators there has been no untoward incident by them. If you are a person who is a little mischievous and can’t resist feeding or teasing the gators then you better stay back at your Florida vacation rental home as Canoe Escape is a place which respects nature and is not pleased with the ideas of those who want to tamper with it.

 

Hillsborough River is the home for thousands of animals and is filled with lots of surprises bends and of course abundant wildlife. There are also special events that occur occasionally so just check the website http://www.canoeescape.com and be on track.