St. Augustine... OH MY!

For years as a Florida resident I've been hearing the buzz about the St. Augustine "Alligator Farm", but figured, "...been there done that..." I mean, c'mon a couple of gators in a wading pool and a handful of Egrets on a bush, right?!?... BOY, was I ever wrong!

American Alligators piled up near the boardwalk.

If you've heard some of the hype, let me assure you this is the real deal and a "must see" for anyone who appreciates the pageantry of courting herons and egrets. Professional photographers have quietly appreciated this amazing place for years, and I'm sure some would prefer it stay quiet! ;)

My 1st and only visit to this magnificent spot was following a digiscoping lecture at the recent First Coast Bird & Wildlife Festival last week. Since my talk was at the farm I figured I'd go in to see what all the fuss was about. As you'd expect there are alligators, plus some exotic reptiles and birds, but the real attraction for birder and photographer alike is the Heron and Egret Rookery in and around the boardwalk here.

Snowy Egrets in "high-breeding" plumage show long, fringed plumes and

their facial skin turns red.

The rookery is not a zoo exhibit with captive birds, the boardwalk winds through a marsh and all sorts of herons and egrets (happily) nest and display here in spring and summer months. I would be lying if I said I was easily impressed by wildlife spectacles, but I found this place absolutely wonderful. At any rate, all I will say is that in just under 2 hours I got all of these images and many more. I think the images speak more of the magnificence of this place than my words ever could!

a Tricolored Heron thrusts its neck skyward in display

Some of the Great & Snowy Egrets were tending eggs, as were a few Tricolored Herons. At least one Great Egret had chicks already. Green Herons nested in a tree closer to the visitor's center and preferred a less gregarious existence.

Great Egrets show long plumes and "avacado" green facial skin when breeding

Cattle Egrets were just beginning their breeding activities while Little Blue Herons stayed more out of sight (comparatively).

Cattle Egret shows bright red bill and orange plumes

I loved seeing the "candy corn" beaks on the really bright Cattle Egrets!

Snowy Egret performs its "bouncing" display

The Snowy & Egrets stayed true to their colors, by growing long white plumes. Cattle Egrets went for peachy, orange, while Little Blues sported a touch of gray....

Tricolored Heron gets "electric " blue bill base in breeding

I'm not sure how to describe the back plumes on a Tricolored (formerly Louisiana) Heron. Need an artists help... "Anyone?.. Anyone?... Bueller?..." ZICK are you out there?

White Ibis get brilliant red soft parts (legs, facial skin)

White Ibis descended upon the area in force as evening approached. I'm not sure if this spot is used year round as an evening wader roost or not but wouldn't be surprised (you can check with the Alligator farm at the link below or perhaps a local will chime in with comments).

adult Roseate Spoonbill stopped on "the big snag " for a few moments

Spoonbills do not nest here but will roost on occasion as will Reddish Egrets as I understand. The boardwalk was full of photographers and I as usual had my digiscoping setup with the advantage of big magnification (capable of up to 2,500 mm lens equivalent). However, unlike typical wildlife experiences there were plenty of closer subjects here. Some were far too close for me to focus on. The closest nests were easily viewed with the naked eye, and most of the photogs used smaller lenses to focus on these (pun intended)!

Black-hooded Parakeet (Conure) or "Nanday" Conures have become widespread throughout much of Florida and were recently considered "officially" established by the FL records committee.

Of course amongst all of the other photogs out there, I was the only digiscoper so am certain I was the only one to capture the subject above. This Black-hooded Parakeet could only be viewed from the far end of the boardwalk as it sat over the visitor's center. At that distance I had to zoom up to a 2,280 mm lens equivalent! Take that you DSLR's... ;)

For more info on the Alligator Farm:

http://www.alligatorfarm.us/

For more on the First Coast Bird & Wildlife Fest:
http://www.getaway4florida.com/bird_festival_2007/
and to see more of my images from my 2 hour visit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16435490@N00/sets/72157600091430430/