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Is first week in April too early for Alligator Farm?
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Mar 5, 2019 15:35:12   #
Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan
 
First week in April might beat the crowds but will the birds be there?
Maybe it'll be easier to find lodging too?
Main objective of course is photography.

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Mar 5, 2019 15:41:32   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
I think you will be OK - maybe even prime time - for the birds ......

..

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Mar 5, 2019 15:46:24   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Sounds good to me. Early enough, but not the peak tourist season. A week day will be less crowded than a weekend.

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Mar 5, 2019 16:04:20   #
selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
 
Fotoartist wrote:
First week in April might beat the crowds but will the birds be there?
Maybe it'll be easier to find lodging too?
Main objective of course is photography.

Here is the normal schedule for their WADING BIRD ROOKERY.

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Mar 5, 2019 16:05:37   #
selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
 
jerryc41 wrote:
Sounds good to me. Early enough, but not the peak tourist season. A week day will be less crowded than a weekend.

It helps to arrive early. It's a popular field trip for young students.

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Mar 6, 2019 05:53:20   #
roxiemarty Loc: Florida
 
I went in April last year. And I went again in late May. It will have more babies hatching in May, but there are alot of nesting birds very busy now. Do be there when they open. There will be a line of photographers waiting to get in. I would head straight to the rookery area, but that is just me. If you look at my topics, you will find some of my images from last year. I do know St. Augustine has a Birding and Photo Festival at the end of April. The Alligator Farm is the very best natural rookery in N.E. Florida.



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Mar 6, 2019 06:15:51   #
sb Loc: Florida's East Coast
 
This might be the "tail end", if you will, of the nesting season. Although the current cold snap might delay things. The birds are starting to nest now. There will undoubtedly be many young still in early April. It is a great spot. Enjoy the nearby beach and lighthouse and the town and fort are very interesting and offer interesting photo opportunities. It will probably be fairly busy as the weather should be really nice - not too hot, not too cold.... Make sure you have lodging if you want to stay in town. It is always busy.

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Mar 6, 2019 06:24:42   #
roxiemarty Loc: Florida
 
sb wrote:
This might be the "tail end", if you will, of the nesting season. Although the current cold snap might delay things. The birds are starting to nest now. There will undoubtedly be many young still in early April. It is a great spot. Enjoy the nearby beach and lighthouse and the town and fort are very interesting and offer interesting photo opportunities. It will probably be fairly busy as the weather should be really nice - not too hot, not too cold.... Make sure you have lodging if you want to stay in town. It is always busy.
This might be the "tail end", if you wil... (show quote)


Some of my best images from last year are from late May. There is still alot of nesting activities happening, and alot of hatching eggs. April, May, and even early June is a good time.

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Mar 6, 2019 06:40:50   #
SafariGuy
 
Fotoartist wrote:
First week in April might beat the crowds but will the birds be there?
Maybe it'll be easier to find lodging too?
Main objective of course is photography.


We live near St Augustine and were there last week and it was wonderful...so the first week in April is not too early

Great egret
Great egret...

Roseate spoonbill
Roseate spoonbill...

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Mar 6, 2019 06:46:40   #
RonKoris Loc: St. Helena Island, SC
 
Just finished shooting there in late Feb. Roseate spoonbills and great egrets.

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Mar 6, 2019 07:20:57   #
dpfoto Loc: Cape Coral, FL
 
Just be careful. The alligators are hungry, and looking for a good tasty photographer.

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Mar 6, 2019 08:08:08   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
Fotoartist wrote:
First week in April might beat the crowds but will the birds be there?
Maybe it'll be easier to find lodging too?
Main objective of course is photography.


I believe they are. But you can call them, they are very friendly and knowledgeable about when birds arrive. I believe they are currently starting their nesting cycle. But again, call them and check for sure.

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Mar 6, 2019 08:18:40   #
dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia
 
Fotoartist wrote:
First week in April might beat the crowds but will the birds be there?
Maybe it'll be easier to find lodging too?
Main objective of course is photography.


The northern migration hits Florida sometime in March, usually. By April, you should be fine.

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Mar 6, 2019 08:42:59   #
mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma
 
Assume you’re talking Florida? Great for alligators. I’ve never found a lack of birds to be a problem there! The added benefit is that Florida goes on sale starting in April with much cheaper hotels & golf.

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Mar 6, 2019 08:51:29   #
selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
 
selmslie wrote:
Here is the normal schedule for their WADING BIRD ROOKERY.

For those who did not follow the link I posted earlier:


(Download)

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