Tom Buckard
About the Image(s)
This image of a Tricolored Heron was taken at the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm. As many of the Floridian bird photographers know it is and amazing place during breeding season in March, April and May. There is a boardwalk that goes through the Rookery with a huge variety of large birds an arm’s length away from you. Below them are hundreds of alligators in the water that keep the birds and their young safe from predators.
Shot with a Nikon D850, Speed 1/1250th of a sec, Focal Length 500mm, ISO-64, F5.6, Lens was an Nikkor 200-500.
2 comments posted
I've seen these beauties on a few occasions, but never realized what colorful faces they can have at breeding time. Thanks for the nicely done close-up.
Assume the alligators aren't so helpful with the ones that fall out of the nests?   Posted: 02/07/2025 23:58:16
Assume the alligators aren't so helpful with the ones that fall out of the nests?   Posted: 02/07/2025 23:58:16
Leslie, it is very sad, but we have seen it many times. The gators lay in wait at the bottom of the mangroves and trees for anything that falls out of the nests or gets to close. They go after eggs, chicks and full size big birds. Gators are lightning fast! Image was a full grown egret. Thank you for your comments.   Posted: 02/08/2025 00:28:33