photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Ron Fredrick | profile | all galleries >> Florida - 2005 >> St. Augustine Alligator Farm tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

St. Augustine Alligator Farm

The St. Augustin Alligator Farm, established in 1893, expanded it's swamp exhibit in the mid 1970's and added more alligators. In doing so, they inadvertently developed an outstanding natural bird rookery because the alligators in the water surrounding the trees provide protection from predators such as raccoons, opossums, and snakes. Even though the birds lose some hatchlings to the alligators, their losses are fewer than if predators raided their nests. The extended boardwalk allows visitors to view nesting birds from only a few feet away. It was terrrific to be so close to the displaying and nesting birds. Instead of looking up at the nests, you're able to walk along the wooden boardwalk, looking down at the alligators and directly into the nests of the herons and egrets.
g6/70/694070/3/69978684.9I517Yus.jpg Tricolored Heron
Tricolored Heron
Tricolored Heron
Tricolored Heron
Tricolored Heron
Tricolored Heron
One Homely Little Spud (baby Tricolored Heron)
One Homely Little Spud (baby Tricolored Heron)
Rosete Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
Rosete Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
Rosete Spoonbill
Rosete Spoonbill
Afternoon Siesta
Afternoon Siesta
Hungry Gators
Hungry Gators
Let sleeping crocs lie...
Let sleeping crocs lie...
Obviously doesn't floss...
Obviously doesn't floss...
g6/70/694070/3/70003430.1MPoOIic.jpg Cattle Egret (Breeding Plumage)
Cattle Egret (Breeding Plumage)
Cattle Egret
Cattle Egret
Cattle Egret (Catching a liitle nap)
Cattle Egret (Catching a liitle nap)
Cattle Egret
Cattle Egret
Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret (Displaying)
Snowy Egret (Displaying)
Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret
Great Egret (Feather grooming time-#1)
Great Egret (Feather grooming time-#1)
Great Egret (Feather grooming time-#2)
Great Egret (Feather grooming time-#2)
Great Egret (Feather grooming time-#3)
Great Egret (Feather grooming time-#3)
Great Egret (Feather grooming time-#4)
Great Egret (Feather grooming time-#4)
Great Egret (Hungry fledglings - 1 of 4)
Great Egret (Hungry fledglings - 1 of 4)
Great Egret  (Hungry fledglings - 2 of 4)
Great Egret (Hungry fledglings - 2 of 4)
Great Egret (The stuggle continues - 3 of 4)
Great Egret (The stuggle continues - 3 of 4)
Great Egret  (Hungry fledglings - 4 of 4)
Great Egret (Hungry fledglings - 4 of 4)
Tricolored Heron
Tricolored Heron
Barred Owl
Barred Owl
Barred Owl
Barred Owl
Cattle Egret (Gathering nest materials)
Cattle Egret (Gathering nest materials)
Cattle Egret (Gathering nest materials)
Cattle Egret (Gathering nest materials)
Rookery Condos (Great Egrets and Wood Storks)
Rookery Condos (Great Egrets and Wood Storks)
Hey, Neighbor! Can you do this? (Great Egrets and Wood Storks)
Hey, Neighbor! Can you do this? (Great Egrets and Wood Storks)
Top Floor, Wood Storks
Top Floor, Wood Storks
Wood Storks (Cute fledgling)
Wood Storks (Cute fledgling)
Wood Stork collecting nest materials
Wood Stork collecting nest materials
Gharial (Fish eater, native of India)
Gharial (Fish eater, native of India)
g6/70/694070/3/70113773.1PvRD4fC.jpg