Florida's Birding & Photo Fest official guide 2017 | Page 5

REST & RELAXATION

Host Hotels

DoubleTree by Hilton St. Augustine Historic District

116 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32084 Phone: [phone] Email: Maggie. goller @ hilton. com Website: doubletree3. hilton. com Offer: Rates starting at $ 166 / night with 15 % discount Promo Code: P26 Drive Time: 19 minutes, 10 miles

Holiday Isle Oceanfront Resort

860 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32080 Phone: [phone] Email: reservations @ holidayisleoceanfront. com Website: www. holidayisleoceanfront. com Offer: $ 135 / night( partial ocean view) Promo Code: Bird17 Drive Time: 30 minutes, 17 miles

Howard Johnson Inn Historic District

137 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084 Phone: [phone] Website: www. staugustinehojo. com Email: marielena. scibelli @ saphotels. com Offer: SUN-THURS 64.95 / night + tax, FRI-SAT $ 99.95 / night + tax Group: Florida’ s Birding and Photo Fest Includes complimentary breakfast. Drive Time: 19 minutes, 10 miles

St. Augustine Ocean & Racquet Resort

880 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32080 Phone: [phone] Email: info @ oceanandracquet. com Website: www. oceanandracquet. com Offer: Rates $ 99 / night plus fees Drive Time: 30 minutes, 17 miles

Create a customized search to suit your needs by visiting additional lodging listings at www. floridashistoriccoast. com / places-stay

Migrate over to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

Spoonies and Herons and Egrets, oh my!

Photographers visiting the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park are astounded by the vast number of photographic opportunities provided by the hundreds of nesting wading birds. As a member of the Great Florida Birding Trail, this accredited zoo has been selected for its excellent bird watching and bird education opportunities.

In the mid 1970’ s the Alligator Farm expanded its Native Swamp exhibit and inadvertently developed an outstanding natural bird rookery. A winding boardwalk allows for the rare opportunity to view wild nesting birds at extremely close distances, at times literally within arm’ s reach. Since the swamp was expanded, it has grown to become one of the most accessible natural bird rookeries in Florida.

The two-acre exhibit is home not only to American alligators, American crocodiles and native turtles, but many different species of wading birds. Twelve species frequent the swamp, with eight of those nesting and producing young. Great egrets, Roseate spoonbills, and the endangered Wood stork are the first to arrive, followed by Snowy egrets, Tri-colored and Little Blue herons, and lastly, the Cattle egrets. Green herons choose nesting spots deep within the trees in the Land of Crocodiles. The nesting season begins in late February and lasts

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through July. During the peak season in May, birds can be photographed in all stages of nesting: displaying, incubating, and the raising of their young.

Along with the collection of valuable migratory bird data and the admiration by the staff and visitors of these spectacular wading birds, the Alligator Farm also participates in supporting conservation programs. Among our favorites are the USFW Wood Stork Recovery Program and Audubon of Florida’ s Roseate Spoonbill Banding Project.

Photo Pass memberships can be purchased online or at the door for $ 89.95. This zoo membership provides unlimited access for one year, early entry into the park before general guest admission, and the ability to enter our annual photo contest!

See you on the boardwalk!

Good Morning Gators!*

Meeting Location: St. Augustine Alligator Farm, 999 Anastasia Blvd. Difficulty Level: Undemanding

SATURDAY 6 TO 8 AM

Price: $ 40 | Max. No. of People: 40 Enjoy a spectacular morning in the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park’ s Native Bird Rookery! You’ ll see native Herons, Egrets, White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbills and American Wood Storks – with hundreds of alligators swimming beneath the oak branches. Get incredibly intimate views of both Florida’ s magnificent wading birds on their nests and gorgeous sunrise. * NO PHOTO PASS REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT. This is a self-guided, early access event. No instruction provided.