We last visited in March when the birds were still mating and displaying their beautiful breeding plumage. The most exciting time to go, we hear, is when all the baby birds have hatched. Even when we visited there was plenty of loud squawking and flapping. I can just imaging what it must be like when the birds hatch.

A long boardwalk takes you right into the heart of the alligator swamp and bird rookery. Be sure to bring your camera, and your video camcorder if you have one, because there is plenty here to photograph—egrets of all kinds, ibises, night herons, and spoonbills all come here to nest. The Wood storks and large egrets take over the large live oaks, and the smaller egrets nest lower down.

The best time to visit the rookery is during the months of May and June, but there is some nesting activity through July.

Of course birds are not the only attraction here. See Maximo, the 15 foot saltwater crocodile, and be amazed. Then have a look at the terrifying Gomek, a huge (nearly 18 feet long) crocodile (no longer living, fortunately). This huge croc is preserved and displayed so as to amaze anyone. I swear it is as big as a small car!

There is also a small collection of exotic birds and animals from around the world. I was particularly impressed with the large tortoises and, as always, I like the monkeys.

If you are in St. Augustine (on your way out to the beach, of course) be sure to stop and spend a couple of hours at the Alligator Farm. Check out their website at www.alligatorfarm.us.

999 Anastasia Blvd. St. Augustine, FL 32080