The Rookery

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited June 22, 2006 in Wildlife
Hi Y'all,

I've been posting lots of shot's from the rookery in St. Augustine so I thought I would give you some shots of the rookery itself.

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Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
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!"

Comments

  • ThusieThusie Registered Users Posts: 1,818 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2006
    GOOD LORD! I can't even imagine that many birds in one spot! Amazing, just amazing.
  • Osprey WhispererOsprey Whisperer Registered Users Posts: 3,803 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2006
    It reminds me of "Gatorland" (the rookery part of course). I kind of like these places. The best of both worlds. Natural looking settings with food and washrooms. The best part are those wooden walk ways. No real worries of snakes, alligators or FIRE ANTS. umph.gif:D

    That's a long bike ride from here. I would like to get up there someday. Maybe next "season" I'll get back up your way..and make there. ne_nau.gif

    Thanks for sharing the "place" with us H.
    Mike McCarthy

    "Osprey Whisperer"

    OspreyWhisperer.com
  • THE TOUCHTHE TOUCH Registered Users Posts: 535 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2006
    WOW! I had no idea - What a cool place! Looks like you can get pretty close without spooking the birds.

    My parents are spending a week in Orlando - By the map it looks like a pretty far drive to St. Augustine - is it worth the drive?
    Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein :bash

    - Kevin
  • Osprey WhispererOsprey Whisperer Registered Users Posts: 3,803 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2006
    THE TOUCH wrote:
    WOW! I had no idea - What a cool place! Looks like you can get pretty close without spooking the birds.

    My parents are spending a week in Orlando - By the map it looks like a pretty far drive to St. Augustine - is it worth the drive?

    Gatorland is in Orlando.....and a pretty amazing place in itself. One of my favorite places to shoot birds/'gators. :D

    Gatorland's rookery: http://gatorland.com/tour/breeding_marsh.html



    Home: http://gatorland.com/
    Mike McCarthy

    "Osprey Whisperer"

    OspreyWhisperer.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2006
    THE TOUCH wrote:
    WOW! I had no idea - What a cool place! Looks like you can get pretty close without spooking the birds.

    My parents are spending a week in Orlando - By the map it looks like a pretty far drive to St. Augustine - is it worth the drive?

    Hey Kevin,

    You can get close enough to some nests to steal the eggs from the nest. Its definitely worth the drive if you can get there in the next two weeks. The hatchlings are growing fast (there are some nests where the eggs haven't hatched yet though). Many of the great egret nests are now empty (there are still many active ones though).

    There is also a rookery in Gatorland which is located in Orlando itself. They get started ove rthere a few weeks earleir than they do in St. Augustine so I don't know how active it is now. Its (Gatorland) OK but I think the rookery in St. Augustine (The Alligator Farm) is much better.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    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!"
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2006
    Yep that's a neat place, exactly how I pictured it thumb.gif:D
    Benjamin
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  • THE TOUCHTHE TOUCH Registered Users Posts: 535 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2006
    Harryb wrote:
    Hey Kevin,

    You can get close enough to some nests to steal the eggs from the nest. Its definitely worth the drive if you can get there in the next two weeks. The hatchlings are growing fast (there are some nests where the eggs haven't hatched yet though). Many of the great egret nests are now empty (there are still many active ones though).

    There is also a rookery in Gatorland which is located in Orlando itself. They get started ove rthere a few weeks earleir than they do in St. Augustine so I don't know how active it is now. Its (Gatorland) OK but I think the rookery in St. Augustine (The Alligator Farm) is much better.


    WOW! I'm jealous! As I mentioned in another thread - the birds at our reserve spook at ~100-150 feet. Of coarse, I've been out there three times now and never saw another human.

    I'll pass the info onto my parents. Thanks for the info Bird Man and Harry! How long of a drive to St. Augustine from Orlando?
    Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein :bash

    - Kevin
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2006
    THE TOUCH wrote:
    WOW! I'm jealous! As I mentioned in another thread - the birds at our reserve spook at ~100-150 feet. Of coarse, I've been out there three times now and never saw another human.

    I'll pass the info onto my parents. Thanks for the info Bird Man and Harry! How long of a drive to St. Augustine from Orlando?

    I would say the drive should take around 2 hours is you are attached to the speed suggestion of 70 MPH.

    I average around 85 MPH and make it in around 1 & 1/2 hours.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    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!"
  • THE TOUCHTHE TOUCH Registered Users Posts: 535 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2006
    Harryb wrote:
    I would say the drive should take around 2 hours is you are attached to the speed suggestion of 70 MPH.

    I average around 85 MPH and make it in around 1 & 1/2 hours.

    Thanks Harry!thumb.gif
    Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein :bash

    - Kevin
  • Osprey WhispererOsprey Whisperer Registered Users Posts: 3,803 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2006
    Harryb wrote:
    I would say the drive should take around 2 hours is you are attached to the speed suggestion of 70 MPH.

    I average around 85 MPH and make it in around 1 & 1/2 hours.

    It takes me a good bit longer riding my bicycle...or finding someone silly enough to give me a ride up there. :D
    Mike McCarthy

    "Osprey Whisperer"

    OspreyWhisperer.com
  • KhaosKhaos Registered Users Posts: 2,435 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2006
    I wish the rookery we have here allowd me to get as close.
  • davevdavev Registered Users Posts: 3,118 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2006
    We have a rookery here in Mn, but they don't let people in while the
    mating (or hatching) is going on.

    I think think the closest I've gotten to an egret is about 50 feet.
    I'm normally shooting 150-200 feet away, then cropping the heck out of the shot..
    Now I know why I can't get shots like the ones Harry posts. eek7.gif
    ( well, that and talent ) :D
    dave.

    Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2006
    Harryb wrote:
    I would say the drive should take around 2 hours is you are attached to the speed suggestion of 70 MPH.

    I average around 85 MPH and make it in around 1 & 1/2 hours.
    i am going to tell :uhoh and were is the tree rolleyes1.gifeek7.gifheadscratch.gif did you really move it home :D nice place
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • Dick on ArubaDick on Aruba Registered Users Posts: 3,484 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2006
    Very nice place to be Harry. It's a paradise for people like you.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Dick.
    "Nothing sharpens sight like envy."
    Thomas Fuller.

    SmugMug account.
    Website.
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 20, 2006
    Thusie wrote:
    GOOD LORD! I can't even imagine that many birds in one spot! Amazing, just amazing.

    Yes, it is pretty amazing. The first time I went there I was a bit overwhelmed. There's a photo op every where you look. Also you would not believe how noisy it gets there.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    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!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 20, 2006
    Bird Man Photographer wrote:
    It reminds me of "Gatorland" (the rookery part of course). I kind of like these places. The best of both worlds. Natural looking settings with food and washrooms. The best part are those wooden walk ways. No real worries of snakes, alligators or FIRE ANTS. umph.gif:D

    That's a long bike ride from here. I would like to get up there someday. Maybe next "season" I'll get back up your way..and make there. ne_nau.gif

    Thanks for sharing the "place" with us H.

    Thanks Mike. I like Gatorland but I love the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine.
    Next season we will hatch a plan to get you up there.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    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!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 20, 2006
    Khaos wrote:
    I wish the rookery we have here allowd me to get as close.

    If I was in charge I would make sure all photographers had a nearby rookery. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    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!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 20, 2006
    bfjr wrote:
    Yep that's a neat place, exactly how I pictured it thumb.gif:D

    Its a grand place to shoot Ben. One thing the pics can't capture is the noise level from all those chicks raising a ruckus. Its ahrd to believe how noisy it gets.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    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!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 20, 2006
    davev wrote:
    We have a rookery here in Mn, but they don't let people in while the
    mating (or hatching) is going on.

    I think think the closest I've gotten to an egret is about 50 feet.
    I'm normally shooting 150-200 feet away, then cropping the heck out of the shot..
    Now I know why I can't get shots like the ones Harry posts. eek7.gif
    ( well, that and talent ) :D

    You do get close to our subjects im the Rookery. I've dome most of shooting on my last two trips with my 70-200mm amd my 28-70mm.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    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!"
  • Scott_QuierScott_Quier Registered Users Posts: 6,524 Major grins
    edited June 20, 2006
    Harryb wrote:
    You do get close to our subjects im the Rookery. I've dome most of shooting on my last two trips with my 70-200mm amd my 28-70mm.
    Well, Harry. I'm almost sorry you posted all those pictures of the rookery. It kind of takes the mystic out of some of your shots. I was imagining you having to work for your shots like I do - walk all day hoping to get within 50m so that you have a prayer of getting a decent shot.

    Now I know I want to take a trip down there next spring! Compared to the opportunities I have here, that spot is like shooting fish in a barrel.

    All that having been said, you ALWAYS get superlative shots of your subjects - shows very strong technique.
    Scott
    My Photos
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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 20, 2006
    Scott_Quier wrote:
    Well, Harry. I'm almost sorry you posted all those pictures of the rookery. It kind of takes the mystic out of some of your shots. I was imagining you having to work for your shots like I do - walk all day hoping to get within 50m so that you have a prayer of getting a decent shot.

    Now I know I want to take a trip down there next spring! Compared to the opportunities I have here, that spot is like shooting fish in a barrel.

    All that having been said, you ALWAYS get superlative shots of your subjects - shows very strong technique.

    Thanks for the kind words Scott.

    Shooting at the rookery comes with its own set of challenges. On my first trip there I was a bit overwhelmed. I was used to searching for a single bird who I can get close enough to for a shot. Now I'm surrounded by hundreds of birds all in shooting range! :eek1 The tendency is go into machine-gun mode and to start snapping away. This results in lots of shots most of which fall into the mediocre category.

    What I do now is walk the boardwalk and not shoot on my first go around. I look for spots with a nice green background or some dreamy clear blue sky as the background. I also check to see where the light is the best (you're going to have photo ops no matter where you shoot so it makes no sense to go against the light).

    Once you get the spots picked out one of the biggest problems is to isolate a subject(s). That can be a real challenge. I've had many good shots ruined by having too many birds in the frame. You also want to check the birds' flight patterns so you know where you want to set up for your flight shots.

    Its easy to get bird shots at the rookery but the challenge is to get good bird shots.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    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!"
  • luckydogluckydog Registered Users Posts: 396 Major grins
    edited June 22, 2006
    Talk about being spoilt!!! You folks are virtually handed your birds on a silver platter. Very jealous of your location and a nice setup so that everyone can enjoy the animals.
    http://darrylluckphotography.smugmug.com

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    18-55mm, 28-105mm USM II, 50mm f/1.8, 400mm f/5.6
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 22, 2006
    luckydog wrote:
    Talk about being spoilt!!! You folks are virtually handed your birds on a silver platter. Very jealous of your location and a nice setup so that everyone can enjoy the animals.

    Yes we are spoiled. The rookery is just a special place where you can get extremely close to wild birds and capture their nesting activitites. I am very lucky to have it so accessible to me.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    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!"
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