The Saint Augustine Alligator Farm

My passion for photography began almost 50 years ago while attending college. I had scraped enough

money together to buy a Mamiya range finder camera. I wandered around campus and nearby Mountain 

Lake and shot black and white images of old buildings, big rocks, and other things that most people didn’t 

consider photogenic. Looking back at those images now, I can see why. However, the one aspect of 

those little trips that has always stayed with me was the enjoyment of a solitary pastime. I really looked

forward to getting out where there were no other people and to be able to concentrate solely on creating

my “art”. So, why was I standing in line with about 60 other photographers to get into a zoo  an hour earlier 

than the normal opening time to photograph birds?

The zoo was the St. Augustine Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, Florida, or more commonly called the 

Alligator Farm or simply The Farm. I was there with my good friend and fellow photographer,Ceasar 

Sharper. We were on a seven day trip to Florida in early May to visit ten birding hotspots (and yes that is 
kind of crazy for several reasons, but it worked out pretty well.) We had arrived at The Farm the afternoon
before and purchased our Photographer Pass for about $80. The annual pass allows for unlimited admission, one

hour early admission, permission to stay after closing (depending on the zookeeper), and entry into an
annual photo contest. 

We were there in plenty of time for the 8:00 AM opening of the gate - if you are late, you must wait until the

regular opening time of 9:00. As the gate opens the line compresses into a small crowd with each of us
anxiously waiting to have their pass checked, so that we may enter. Once inside, it is a little like participating
in a senior walk race, but with tripods and camera backpacks instead of fanny packs. No one runs, but the
pace isn’t casual as we pass by the white alligator display, the alligator demonstration corral, and the small
covered theater, and head to the raised boardwalk that leads to the wading bird rookery that is located in
the alligator swamp.

There was no need to rush. The boardwalk is broad and there is plenty of room to see the magnificent 
display of hundreds of wild wading birds in various stages of creating and raising their next generation. 
There were birds building nests, sitting on eggs, feeding recently hatched chicks, and lots and lots of 
fledglings. When we were there the predominate species were egrets: great, snowy, and cattle. There 
were also quite a few spoonbills, storks, ibises, and a few types of herons. The only common wading 
bird that we didn’t see was the Great Blue Heron. 

The birds and their nests are close. Some are literally within arms 
reach and most are no more than 50 feet away. If you do not have 
long glass, it is not a problem. I used my 80 - 400 for the vast 
majority of shots that I took over the three visits that we made. I did
use my 600mm on one visit to get near full frame images of the 
newly hatch chicks as they were being fed by a parent. That was 
also the only time that I used a tripod. A flash with a Better Beamer 
can be useful to capture some of the birds that have made nests
further in the foliage or on overcast days. The 80 - 400mm lens was 
useful for capturing birds in flight as well. The one problem with the 
closeness of the trees is that you have a shorter reaction time to 
shoot birds as they are flying into the rookery.  I noticed that most 
birds seemed to be returning to the rookery from the north, so I 
stood facing that direction with my camera ready and had success
in getting some nice images. 

While in the rookery, there is little chance that you will forget that you are at an alligator zoo. The live
   oak and bald cypress nesting trees surround a small swamp that is home to scores of alligators of all
   sizes. The birds benefit from having these reptiles as they keep any tree climbing predators from raiding
   their nest for eggs or chicks. And though I was at the Farm for bird photography, I couldn't help but to
   take some shots at these toothy wonders of nature.

The Alligator Farm has been a popular local and national feature for over 100 years. It is open every day 
from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Regular admission is $22.95. Discounts for children, seniors, military, AAA, 
and groups are available and you might want to check for coupons. In addition to the rookery, there are 
displays and demonstrations involving alligators and other animals and a popular zip line.

The visit was hardly the solitary experience that I look forward to when I go on a photography trip, but it 

was fun and I did get some bird behavior images that I had not been able to get any other place before. I

also reminded myself that the rookery occurred there naturally in the seventies.  Even so, I don’t think that 
I will ever prefer a zoo over exploring a park or refuge, even as natural as the Farm, but I have to admit it 
is nice to have the shooting be so easy every once in a while. If you have a chance go there, but be warned
it can be habit forming.

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