Florida's Birding & Photo Fest official guide 2020 | Seite 5

Migrate over to the St. Augustine
Alligator Farm Zoological Park
Spoonies and Herons and Egrets, oh my!
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 $120.
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!
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 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.
Good Morning Gators | Excursion/Field Trip
NO instruction | Early Access | NO PHOTO PASS REQUIRED
Location: St. Augustine Alligator Farm, 999 Anastasia Blvd.
SATURDAY 6:30 TO 8 A.M.
Note: any non-photo pass holders will have to exit the Alligator Farm
when the event ends at 8 A.M.
Price: $25 | Max No. People: 30 | Difficulty Level: All Levels
Enjoy a spectacular morning in the St. Augustine Alligator Farm’s Native Bird
Rookery! You’ll witness native herons, egrets, ibis, spoonbills and wood storks
waking up to begin their day while the alligators swim below in the swamp.
Suggested Gear: headlamp or small flashlight, camera and binoculars – there
is no instructor or photography instruction provided for this workshop.
HOST HOTELS
Beacher’s
Lodge Oceanfront Suites
6970 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080 Pier
Point South
390 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32080
Doubletree by Hilton
St.
Augustine Historic District
116 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine FL 32084 The
Ponce St. Augustine Hotel
1111 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32084
Home2 Suites by Hilton
St.
Augustine I-95
270 Outlet Mall Boulevard., St. Augustine, FL 32084 Villa
1565 Historic St. Augustine
137 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: [phone]
Website: https://bit.ly/2T0gMhZ
Offer: Stay for 3 nights, get the 4th night free. Rates $100-180 / night
Special Instructions: Must mention stay for 3 offer when booking
Drive Time: 2.4 miles, 3 minutes
Phone: [phone]
Website www.pierpointsouth.com/en
Offer: Condos available with a 3-night minimum. Rates from $740-$1215
depending on length of stay. Call for more information.
Special Instructions: Must mention Photo Fest special when booking
Drive Time: 4 miles, 8 minutes
Phone: [phone]
Website www.theponcestaugustine.com
Offer: $109 / night with a 4 night minimum stay
Special Instructions: Booking code is PhotoFest
Reservation Cutoff: 4/22/20
Drive Time: 9.6 miles,18 minutes
Phone: [phone]
Website: https://bit.ly/3ayl4Y3
Rates: Standard Rooms $139/night + tax Sunday–Thursday;
$219/night + tax Friday & Saturday
Group Name: Florida’s Birding and Photo Fest
Drive Time: 8.5 miles, 16 minutes
Phone: [phone]
Website: https://bit.ly/2A63VEx
Offer: $89/night + tax Tuesday–Thursday;
$109/night + tax Friday & Saturday
Group Code: Birding & Photo Fest
Reservation Cutoff: 3/21/20
Drive Time: 8.6 miles, 17 minutes
Phone: [phone]
Website: www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ustauht-home2-suites-st-augustine-i-95
Rates: Studio Queen $129/night + tax; Studio King $129/night + tax
Group Code: FBF Reservation Cutoff: 4/1/20
Drive Time: 21 miles, 22 minutes
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