University of Florida (UF); Iconic Campus Points of Interest

The University of Florida is Florida’s flagship university. It’s a very large presence in a very small, rural north Florida town.  As a University of Florida student and alumna I’ve taken my share of campus life images over the years.  I’ll be sharing them with you from time to time so check back periodically to see my newest additions. I’ll begin with a favorite among graduating students; the University of Florida’s Mascots, Albert and Alberta who greet visitors to Gainesville and the UF campus.

Lynn Palmer: UF Campus Life; UF Mascots Albert and Alberta

Albert and Alberta UF Mascots; Lifesize bronze sculpture of the UF Gators mascots, Albert and Alberta found near the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida. The statues were created by artist Peter Forster based on genuine mascot costumes and the statues were executed by The American Bronze Foundry, based in Sanford, Florida. Charles Perry Construction and Robinshore Inc. funded the statue with masonry pedestal.

One of the most iconic symbols of the university of Florida is the Century Bell Tower on Newell Road.

Lynn Palmer: UF Campus Life; UF Century Tower and Newell Drive

UF Century Tower and Newell Drive; University of Florida Century Tower on UF campus in Gainesville, Florida.

UF Century Tower Framed View framed between the brick walls of the Marston Science Library.

Lynn Palmer: UF Campus Life &emdash; UF Century Tower Framed View

UF Century Tower Framed View; between two brick columns of the Marsten Science Library, UF’s Century Bell Tower rises above the trees on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida.

Here’s one last view of the Century Tower, along with the University Auditorium and the sculpture “Whispering Close” a 20-foot-tall bronze sculpture by Seward Johnson, Jr.  The sculpture, a temporary exhibit displayed on the Plaza of the Americas directly across the street from the Auditorium, is of a couple dancing, inspired by “Dance in the City,” the painting by French Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The exhibit was removed from the Plaza in 2013, a few months after this image was taken.

Whispering Close on the Plaza of the Americas

Lynn Palmer: UF Campus Life; Whispering Close on the Plaza of the Americas

Whispering Close on the Plaza of the Americas; View of University Auditorium, Century Tower and the sculpture “Whispering Close” a 20-foot-tall bronze sculpture by Seward Johnson, Jr. of a couple dancing, inspired by “Dance in the City,” the painting by French Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

This is all for tonight…

An Afternoon at the Jacksonville Zoological Park; Exotic Animals

Driving home from the beach, I stopped and spent an afternoon photographing exotic animals at the Jacksonville Zoological Park in Florida.  Capturing this image of such a noble creature lounging on a rock, alone made the trip worth it.

Spotted Jaguar Crouched on Rock

Lynn Palmer: Animals &emdash; Spotted Jaguar Crouched on Rock

Spotted Jaguar Crouched on Rock; a female jaguar sits on a rock after drinking from a watering hole. A light, painting texture has been applied to enhance the image.

In this vertical variation of the Spotted Jaguar Crouching on Rock the large Jaguar’s eyes glow a vibrant yellow as he crouches low to drink from the pond.

Lynn Palmer: Animals &emdash; Spotted Jaguar Crouching on Rock

Jaguar Drinking; a female jaguar drinks from a small creek. A light artistic texture has been added to enhance this image.

A West African Giraffe Feeding (Giraffa camelopardalis) eating from a trough mounted high, is an even-toed ungulate mammal and is the largest ruminant.

Lynn Palmer: Animals &emdash; West African Giraffe Feeding

West African giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), an even-toed ungulate mammal and largest ruminant eating from a trough.

Such deadly beauty, the Eyelash Palm Pit Viper.

Lynn Palmer: Animals &emdash; Eyelash Palm Pit Viper

Eyelash Palm Pit Viper; brilliantly colored but deadly Eyelash Palm Pit Viper rests in the crook of a tree branch.

Bonobo Juvenile Playing alone on a rope climbing net enjoys the warm afternoon sunshine of an early Spring afternoon.

Lynn Palmer: Animals &emdash; Bonobo Juvenile

Bonobo Juvenile Playing, an endangered Bonobo (Pan paniscus) primate youngster plays on a rope net in his Jacksonville zoo enclosure.

Grévy’s Zebra Nursing, a young yearling nurses from it’s mother in the shade on a hot Spring afternoon.

Lynn Palmer: Animals &emdash; Grévy's Zebra Nursing

Grévy’s zebras (Equus grevyi), dam and colt, also known as the imperial zebra, is the largest extant wild equid (Dolichohippus).

I have many more images of exotic animals to post but they’ll have to wait for another night. :)