Roseate Spoonbills

One of the reasons I drove up to St. Augustine for the weekend (May, 2010) is that I heard they had about 60 pairs of Roseate Spoonbills in their rookery at the Alligator Farm.  I don't get to see Spoonbills all that often and I really love them.  From their pretty pink color to their unusual bills, I enjoy watching them.  And I don't have many photographs, and certainly not any I'd brag about.  While there were certainly not 60 pairs, there were a few, and I managed to get a couple of nice shots.

The picture below shows their pretty red eyes and the unique shape of their bills.

And their amazing wing span.  I love them!

Woodstorks - Nestbuilding

The Woodstorks were nestbuilding which gave me the opportunity to practice my flight shots.  This was at the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, the first weekend in May 2010. 

Their wingspan is amazing.  I love them stretched to the fullest extent...

... and folded in like a black silky cape. 

The Rookery, St. Augustine

This rookery is at the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, FL.  A boardwalk runs along a corner of the park where birds are nesting in the trees on either side.  It's full of photographers and a great place to spend the day.

A lot of expensive equipment is the norm.  My lens can hold it's own, but I don't use a tripod, I like to walk around freely. 

Sounds of the Snowy Egret

I love to see - and hear - the colorful sights and sounds of mating season.  The vivid mating colors are more beautiful and the sounds that the Snowy Egret makes are comical.  It sounds like a turkey gobble.  Adorable.  They are one of my favorites.

Most of these were taken at St. Augustine last year, on our photography group weekend.  Our group planned a weekend trip to St. Augustine, great group and a lot of fun.

Barred Owl & Baby

Our photography group was in St. Augustine, primarily to spend the day at the Alligator Farm.  But we took a few hours and went to a nearby park.  Here we found a Barred Owl in a tree.  And - looking really closely - we also saw the baby!