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 .