In actuality this photo of a tricolored heron chick and its family
was taken in May at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm - but depicts the
seasonal concept none-the-less. Located in central Florida approximately
forty miles south of Jacksonville, the Alligator Farm is one of St.
Augustine's most popular tourist attractions. Over the past few years
it has become increasingly so due to its beautiful natural bird rookery.
A short walk across a winding wooden boardwalk will lead any bird-lover
into their idea of heaven on earth!
Hundreds of waders - mostly egrets and herons, with a few wood storks
mixed in - begin their arrival in April. They immediately set to the
task that initially drew them to the Farm's pristine ancient swamp.
Quickly pairing up - most with the same partner of years past - each
couple stakes out their small piece of real estate and begins the construction
of the perfect nest. The end result is a dizzying display of squabbling
birds nesting side-by-side in a feathered version of American suburbia,
each ready to hatch and raise a new generation.
By May all stages of the process are present from young chicks screaming
for food, to adults still incubating their eggs, to the stragglers still
building their nests. For such a small space the photographic possibilities
are endless! And with the fact that the boardwalk cuts straight through
the middle of the rookery, close-ups are easily obtained even with short
telephoto lenses.
This particular image of a tricolored heron family was made in late
afternoon. It well illustrates how the ability to be patient is often
key in the production of a successful wildlife portrait. To obtain the
feeding behavior exhibited by the chick, I first had to wait out its
nap. This meant setting up in the heat of the afternoon, under a blistering
Florida sun, and settling in for the long haul. I knew this family would
produce a great shot - I just didn't know when. It could have been five
minutes, though anyone with that luck should immediately book a flight
to Vegas. Those odds never seem to swing in my favor, and consequently
my wait would seem more like five hours, though the reality was more
in the range of one. The behavior and subsequent series of photos, including
this one, were well worth the wait despite the mild sunburn and locked
knees I had endured to witness it.
For those who may be interested in visiting the St. Augustine Alligator
Farm during the nesting season, you can obtain more information by visiting
their website at www.alligatorfarm.com. Over the years this destination
has become increasingly popular with professional and amateur photographers
alike. The increased interest has incited the Farm to implement frequent
updates throughout the nesting season (generally April through June).
These updates include specific species present and their status as it
pertains to nest building, egg laying, and hatching and fledging of
chicks.
