Two quick shots taken as one of the young birds was taking a test run.

After moving from branches to adjoining tree tops a big step is ‘Island Hopping’. Basically a short flight between the close islands in this rookery.

This is not without danger though. First is a mistake and a dunk in the water, the other is a high jumping Alligator if the bird is too low.

Yes, Alligators can jump straight up out of the water. They are powerful swimmers.