A Preview for those attending FL shoot
I couldn't wait another minute to go and see this place after seeing some of kevins shots.
I have mixed feelings about this place...I was spoiled last year by St. Augustine Rookery. St. Aug's is smaller, more intimate and seems to bemuch more interested in maintaining the natural habitat and people seemed to respect the rules.
Today at Gatorland, I felt a more "amusement theme park" feeling with tourist's who didn't know a thing about the rookery aspect of the park. As you will see in the first photo, people were feeding the gators and birds...that really bothered me...not so much feeding gators, but feeding the breeding birds is a MAJOR no-no. I will follow up and speak to someone in charge there because it should not occur. They were throwing what appeared to be raw hot dogs...the birds and gators lined up in wait.
The other issue is that it is a much longer walk and carrying a heavy bag and tripod w/ head was a pain...wheels would really work well there.
Don't get me wrong...many many shots to be had! I don't know what it is like in the morning but I was there from about 2:30-5PM. The Egrets began gathering around 4pm. I purchased the annual pass, but I will also purchase St. Auggi's also. I like it there a bit better.
Here is a sampling:waiting for a hot dog
getting one:
A few more:
Shot with D200/70-200 and 120-300 sometimes w/ 1.4 & 1.7 TC
__________________
I have mixed feelings about this place...I was spoiled last year by St. Augustine Rookery. St. Aug's is smaller, more intimate and seems to bemuch more interested in maintaining the natural habitat and people seemed to respect the rules.
Today at Gatorland, I felt a more "amusement theme park" feeling with tourist's who didn't know a thing about the rookery aspect of the park. As you will see in the first photo, people were feeding the gators and birds...that really bothered me...not so much feeding gators, but feeding the breeding birds is a MAJOR no-no. I will follow up and speak to someone in charge there because it should not occur. They were throwing what appeared to be raw hot dogs...the birds and gators lined up in wait.
The other issue is that it is a much longer walk and carrying a heavy bag and tripod w/ head was a pain...wheels would really work well there.
Don't get me wrong...many many shots to be had! I don't know what it is like in the morning but I was there from about 2:30-5PM. The Egrets began gathering around 4pm. I purchased the annual pass, but I will also purchase St. Auggi's also. I like it there a bit better.
Here is a sampling:waiting for a hot dog
getting one:
A few more:
Shot with D200/70-200 and 120-300 sometimes w/ 1.4 & 1.7 TC
__________________
0
Comments
Sad to hear about the bird feeding. You are right, that's a real no-no. These are the same people who 25 years from now will wonder why there are so few birds around
Thanks for sharing these
Steve
Hiya steve! How the heck are ya?
Thanks. I am really pleased with how my posted shots came out. I guess I did learn something at nikon School!
Finally bought a decent tripod and head...that helps...
People haven't been giving the birds trashy novels to read, too, have they.
Looks like people will enjoy it down there. I would just get spoiled.
I need to go shoot birds! Supposed to rain the next few days. I am waiting on a lens, not a bird lens, but have to be here.
ginger
Why don't gators eat egrets?
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Thanks Andy. These gators are not in the wild, and are fed. If they were hungry they would eat a egret..or anything they wanted for that matter.
Very different scene at Viera. I have seen those gators eat anything that is available when they are hungry.
Thank you Ginger. Shooting at a rookery is a nice break from chasing birds around the rest of the year. One is rewarded with exquisite opportunity.
Gator Land looks interesting. It should be fun taking pictures of the idiots feeding the birds and gators.
Maybe we can get Craig & Linda to carry our equipment for us if we go up there.
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How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Thanks H. I know Craig better than I know Linda...and I can assure you neither of them will be remotely interested in helping us. I ordered a Lowpro AW on wheels....better bet than spousal assistance
Don't think for one second that the Gators at Gatorland DON'T eat the birds! They do, I've witnessed it on several occasions firsthand! As a matter of fact they wait under the nests at the rookery for the hatchlings to fall into the water. But, I have witnessed them jump out of the water and snatch a bird from a branch in a tree. Not high branches of course, but right out of the tree just the same.
I've been a Gatorland visitor since I was about 4 yrs. old and remember the place when it was a lot simpler. Dumb tourists are a nuisance, yes, but there is a lot to be learned from the place. Early morning or very late afternoon trips are best. During mating season (gators) you can watch the Bull gators do their "water dance" and listen to them bellow! It's awesome!
For shooting lots of gators in the "wild" I prefer Paynes Prairie. The La Chua trail is amazing and infested with large gators. By large I mean 10 feet and up. No joke. No fences, no barriers. You have to stay aware at all times. Visit here if you want an adrenaline rush that will keep you floating for 2 weeks!
Enjoy Gator Photography!
hi gator!
When exactly is gator mating season?? Paynes...is that near gainesville/Alachua? It is on my list to visit...but as far as the adrenaline rush...I'll stick to my coffee! Gators freak me out! They are just too lightning fast and I have been frightened too many times by their speed.
Great shots Trish!
thanks!
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Hi Trish!
Courtship begins in early April with mating occuring in May thru June. There are lots of areas in Paynes to visit, if you want to leave out the adrenaline rush don't visit the La Chua Trail. Really and truly you're pretty safe as long as the critters haven't lost their fear of people. You can tell if they have by how fast they get away from YOU. By nature when they see you they should bolt quickly. If not, keep a really good distance as they can leap a good ways. My last visit to La Chua I was on my way back from the observation deck at the end of the trail and as I was making my way up to a bend in the trail a really big gator decided to crawl up the embankment, head towards me and then cross in front of me on the trail! From there the big fellow decided he was gonna lay down and block the trail! Since laws don't allow people to try to "scare" gators away...I decided to just see if I could wait him out. About 20 minutes later I decided I was gonna give it a go and try to get past him. I ended up getting about 4 feet from him and he started down the other side of the embankment. Thank goodness! He was all of 10 - 12 feet and blocking the whole trail. There's only one way in and one way out!! I have a couple of photos in my files...I hunt for them and post.
Yes, it's close to Gainesville/Micanopy area. If you decide you'd like to check it out let me know I'm always looking for a good excuse to go back up and visit La Chua!!
Thanks. Guess the best thing is to educate people when I see them doing it.
Thanks for the info Gator.
Just recently I had the opportunity to meet up with a cousin of mine who has invited me to visit anytime...they live right near there. I will take them up on it and maybe we can meet up for a shoot sometime next Nov...that will be the next time I will be free to go.