BEST-IN-SHOW Bobby van Mierop Palm Coast, FL Great egret (Ardea alba) pair equipment: Nikon Z9, 100-400 lens Comments and compliments by Greg Lepera, 2026 Photo Contest Judge: Bobby van Mierop's best-in-show winning image is of a great egret pair passing a stick for nesting. The soft, even lighting is gorgeous, the clean...
Razorbill (Alca torda) pair, Fowlsheugh Nature Reserve, Scotland GREG LEPERA Greg Lepera spent 25 years as a curator in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). He helped to develop a well-regarded professional development program for zoo professionals, the Alligator Farm’s Crocodilian Biology and Management...
Yellow-crowned night heron Nyctanassa violacea by Amy Koch Christmas Bird Count St. Augustine Alligator Farm rookery December 14, 2025 4:45-6:00 pm Each year, St. Johns Regional Audubon brings together a passionate group of birders to take part in a special tradition to count wading birds as they fly in to...
Photo by Terrie Jacobson TYPICAL ROOKERY SCHEDULE Mid February – The first pair of Great egrets arrive around Valentine’s Day. More are close behind and begin nest building. Roseate spoonbills stagger their nests throughout the season, arriving as early as mid-January! Late February- Great egret pairs continue to...
Award-winning Master Photographer Joe Campanellie recently served as judge for the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park’s annual photo contest, carefully reviewing hundreds of submissions. Reflecting on the process, Campanellie remarked, “There were some incredible images submitted for this year’s contest. Selecting my top ten and...
Joe Campanellie! Joe Campanellie is a Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, Certified Professional Photographer, and has been an Approved Affiliate Juror with the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) for over 10 years. A process that takes 8 years to complete. Reddish egret "Solitary Hunter" Joe also holds the service...
By Taylor LaTulipe Fashionably late! Better late than never! The rookery has been busy over the last two seasons. You came to the right spot for a recap! Let’s take a look at some population trends and statistics observed in our native bird rookery. A “rookery” can...
This year's photo contest judge, Pamela Cohen, had to narrow down hundreds of photo contest entries to one Best in Show and nine Honorable Mentions. Entries were received from all over the United States and Canada. After reviewing previous contest winners plus the high-quality submissions,...
Pamela Cohen! "For the Glory of Flight" of sparring great egrets at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm An avid, award-winning wildlife and landscape photographer, Pamela is the owner of Prima Photography and shares her extensive knowledge through lectures, workshops, writing, and teaching. Incubating least tern at Kiawah Island,...