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,...
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...
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...
Photo by William Pearce After the banner rookery seasons of 2011 and 2012, with 818 and 704 nests respectfully, this year seemed so mellow and quiet. With a maximum of 463 nests counted, the 2013 rookery season still exceeded the rookery's 400 nest average. MAX ADULT MAX NEST MAX CHICK Cattle egret 74 60 128 Great...
Photo by Robert O'Toole The rookery is gearing up for chaos as we move into April! Roseate spoonbills began nesting early this year. Three nests have already fledged out and 4 more pairs are either incubating or have recently hatched chicks. The spoonbills are following the staggered nesting pattern of previous years. The...
Photo by Maxis Gamez The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is pleased to announce Maxis Gamez as our judge for the zoo's 20th Annual Photo Contest! Maxis Gamez is a self-taught professional nature photographer residing in Sarasota, Florida. He started photography as a hobby, but has now decided...
Photo by Jill Carney This year's rookery season started out strong after a mild winter. The Great egrets, always the first to arrive, made their initial appearance almost two weeks early. The season was off to a good start and the possibility of our biggest rookery season yet seemed probable....