Photo by Robert O'Toole This year's total nest count was a little on the low side, so we are working hard out in the swamp this winter to maximize the future potential of the rookery's nesting success. Major maintenance is long overdue in the swamp and...
Best in Show Lynn Long Beaufort, SC Congratulations to this year's photo contest winners! The award-winning photojournalist Daron Dean, Manager of Photography for the St. Augustine Record, had the difficult task of selecting one Best in Show image plus nine additional winning images. Doug Heimstead Vadnais, MN John Zeiss Sarasota, FL Richard Curtin Anniston,...
All photos by Karen Willes What happens when these chicks leave the nest and start fending for themselves? We're partnering with Audubon Florida to band Roseate spoonbills so their movements can be tracked. Knowing where these birds spend most of their time can be useful to...
Daron Dean has been a working photojournalist since graduating from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Journalism in 2004. The Florida native interned for The Gainesville Sun, the Anchorage Daily News and The Dallas Morning News before joining the staff at The St....
Nesting season has officially begun! Currently four pairs of Roseate spoonbills are nest building. A few things happen before spoonbills get ready raise their families. The first step is a plumage change. They molt out of their old drab feathers into some fancy bright new...
Black-crowned night heron Photo by Catherine Calabria By: Julie Farrington Right now is a quiet time for the rookery, but there are still birds to see! Now is a great time of year to see the night herons. Both Yellow and Black-crowned night herons are spending their days...
This year was overflowing with Roseate spoonbill nests! We love that they decided in 2010 to finally begin nesting in our rookery. Their dynamic pink plumage is a welcome sight in the sea of egret white. MAX ADULT MAX NEST MAX CHICK Cattle egret 28 28 41 Great egret 174 106 167 Green heron 5 5 8 Little Blue heron 21 17 24 Roseate spoonbill 74 28 52 Snowy egret 143 92 197 Tricolored heron 113 85 151 Wood stork 112 68 170 TOTALS: 670 429 810 Photo by Kay Wells...
Congratulations to all of our 21st Annual Photo contest winners! This year's judging duo, Dick and Pat Bartlett, were over-whelmed by the selection of breath taking photo submissions. Following are the top ten: BEST IN SHOW Roseate spoonbill Phillip Hardy Americus, GA Cuban crocodile William Miller Ocala, FL Cattle egrets Tara Tanaka Tallahassee, FL Great egret Horace...
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is pleased to announce this year's photo contest judge selection. Though recent judges have been a single judge with a nature photography background, 2014 will be a team effort by renowned herpetologists Dick and Patti Bartlett! All photos below by...