ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.  Florida’s Birding & FotoFest will take place along the Northeast coast of Florida April 22-26, 2009. Now it in its seventh year, this year’s events will be headquartered at the Center for Marine Studies at the University of Florida’s Whitney Lab at Marineland – approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine on historic and scenic A1A. Over the years, the event has grown tremendously in popularity – this year, participants are coming from 31 states and two countries.

The popular festival provides visitors and residents outstanding opportunities to experience the unspoiled natural beauty that is unique to Northeast Florida. Events take place from Ft. George Island in Jacksonville southward to Volusia County’s North Peninsula State Park.

Tickets remain available for the Saturday, April 25 keynote presentation by John Moran titled A Photographer’s Search for the Soul of Florida. There are also slots available for participating in the day-long Bird Migration Workshop scheduled for 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22. In addition to the workshops and tours, numerous exhibitors will be on hand at Whitney Lab throughout the festival. These include the Audubon Birds of Prey Center (featuring live birds); St. Johns and Duval Audubon Societies; Bushnell, Canon USA, Eagle, Leica, Sigma, Swarovski, and Zeiss optics; Wildstock Photography; Hunt’s Photo and Video; NatureScapes.net;; Essential Photo Gear; Nature Nook Books and many others. Festival exhibit hours are Thursday, 2-5 p.m.; Friday, 12:30-4 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

For more information and to purchase tickets for festival tours, workshops and seminars, visit www.Getaway4Nature.com or call 1-800-514-ETIX (3849).

For more information about events and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches visit www.Getaway4Florida.com or call 1.800.653.2489.

Photo by: Roger Graw