MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Hi all,

We’re heading back to Florida this Spring for some bird photography, and I’d really like to be able to get some up close and personal shots of Snail Kites. Last year I was speaking to 2 women who had just been out a few days prior and they had some fabulous shots of Snail Kites catching snails. They had hired a boat and went out just with the two of them and the boat owner. This conversation took place at the Circle B Bar Reserve, and if memory serves, the location of the Snail Kites was close to Lake Kissimmee. Unfortunately I did not make any notes for future reference, and I’m not coming up with anything helpful when I ask “Mr. Google”.

Snail Kites are on my MUST SHOOT list for this spring’s trip. Could someone please give me some guidance and possibly a contact or two that would provide such a service? I am NOT interested in going out on a regular airboat tour with several other people. I’m looking specifically for someone who can take me to where the kites are, and will work with me to get some good images. The individual does NOT need to be a serious photographer, but MUST have knowledge of where to find the Snail Kites and a means to get me to the birds.

Many thanks, and please feel free to PM me,

Mike

delraypiper Loc: Delray Beach, FL

Palm Beach County Loxahatchee Wildlife refuge. They are usually there. I've got a number of shots of them over the years. Of course I live here so I get to go out there more often.

Good luck

John D

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve been to Loxahatchee and that’s not the environment I’m looking for.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Joe Overstreet Landing (Lake K), directly south of St. Cloud (just east of Orlando/Kissimmee).

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

I’m interested in hiring an airboat and need contact recommendations.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Try Google. Sorry, but I have no idea. I do know you can go there and sign up for rides but I don't know if that is the same as hiring one. They are guided tours, I think. I never took one.

Keep in mind those boats are very noisy.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

As I stated in my OP, I have unsuccessfully Googled. Also as stated, I do NOT want a tour with many others. My hope is that a fellow Hog will have a specific recommendation for a private operator. But thanks for trying!

Stan W. Loc: Tampa, Fl

Medard Park Just a little east of Tampa usually has quite a few Snail Kites. There is a nice bridge to shoot from with Gators and other assorted birds in the area.

Canisdirus

Airboat? I owned one for years ...
If you want wildlife to scatter ... use one.

Rent a canoe instead. I have a flat bottomed canoe ... very steady ... very easy to stand up in if need be.
Circle B Bar Reserve is the place to be.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thank you! After more research last night, I discovered airboats are a no-no for what I want to do. So thank you for reinforcing that. I did locate 2 possibilities after I changed the wording in my Google search a few times, and I’ll be contacting both operators later today. Both concentrate on the photography aspect and advertise getting you to where the birds you want to photograph are. My biggest concern is that they do NOT disturb the birds during the process. Conservation is extremely important to me. Since I’m not at all familiar with the areas I’ll be in, I really do need a guide.

We spent a very productive on the Circle B Bar Reserve last year and will be returning there again this trip.

Thank you for your help.

Canisdirus

Not sure how much time you wish to spend, but if it is several days.... use some trails ... stay on land.
Kites can be found in the shallows (where the snails are) ... so maybe spend the first day or two on land...get your bearings ... talk to some locals while there, and maybe find a good spot for a boat ... before you get on the water.

Kudos on your environmental attitude btw ... same here.
I only leave my footprints ... usually in my bare feet as well.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks for the additional info on the snail kites. I’ve been doing some extensive reading about them, and have become really fascinated by them. Unfortunately, we will only have one day - two on the absolute outside - to devote to “Operation Snail Kite” on this trip. The exact dates are still in the works and we are somewhat flexible at this point. This trip will revolve around a couple of weeks (already booked and cast in stone) on the central west coast area. The plan is to return to areas we checked out last year and in which we wanted to spend additional time. Last year, Snail Kites were not on my radar. This year, I’m obsessed!

Thanks again!

rplain1 Loc: Dayton, Oh.

I have taken a boat out of Kissimmee twice with excellent results. Used Spirit of the Swamp at 2830 Neptune Road (321-689-6893. It was not a private tour but both times my wife and I signed up we were the only ones so got a private tour. We signed up for the two hour birding tour ($85) and were extremely satisfied. Captain Andy was the operator both times (I believe he is the only one they use for this tour).
He was very knowledgeable about all kinds of birds and pretty much knew where they all lived. The birds did not scatter as we pulled up - they pretty much ignored us. The only ones that flew were those on the water when we had to go past very close to them. It happens that a snail kite eating his lunch was the very first photo I got on my first trip. Andy asked me if there was any bird I especially wanted. At the time
I had no photos of limpkins. Five minutes later he pulled up within 15 feet of one. No worry about crowds either - his boat only carries six. Not sure if you can book a private tour - it just worked out that way for us both times.

LittleRed

I and my wife have always had good luck getting excellent pictures of these birds at Harns Marsh Nature Preserve near Lehigh Acres Florida. This is a community east of Fort Myers. This area is exceptional for getting a load of birds at a fairly close range. Along with Snail’s are usually close-ups of Limpkins and Bittern. Just search with Google for Harns Marsh. I do believe it has a dedicated website.
One thing I found about birding here it is usually not crowded allowing you to bird at your own speed. Your not shoulder to shoulder as in some of the more used sites such as Corkscrew.

LittleRed (Ron)

MY APOLOGIES FOR THE DOUBLE ENTRY, DANG OLD FINGERS CAN’T BE TUSTED ANYMORE 😃😃😃

LittleRed

[quote=MadMikeOne]Hi all,

We’re heading back to Florida this Spring for some bird photography, and I’d really like to be able to get some up close and personal shots of Snail Kites. Last year I was speaking to 2 women who had just been out a few days prior and they had some fabulous shots of Snail Kites catching snails. They had hired a boat and went out just with the two of them and the boat owner. This conversation took place at the Circle B Bar Reserve, and if memory serves, the location of the Snail Kites was close to Lake Kissimmee. Unfortunately I did not make any notes for future reference, and I’m not coming up with anything helpful when I ask “Mr. Google”.

Snail Kites are on my MUST SHOOT list for this spring’s trip. Could someone please give me some guidance and possibly a contact or two that would provide such a service? I am NOT interested in going out on a regular airboat tour with several other people. I’m looking specifically for someone who can take me to where the kites are, and will work with me to get some good images. The individual does NOT need to be a serious photographer, but MUST have knowledge of where to find the Snail Kites and a means to get me to the birds.

Many thanks, and please feel free to PM me,

I and my wife have always had good luck getting excellent pictures of these birds at Harns Marsh Nature Preserve near Lehigh Acres Florida. This is a community east of Fort Myers. This area is exceptional for getting a load of birds at a fairly close range. Along with Snail’s are usually close-ups of Limpkins and Bittern. Just search with Google for Harns Marsh. I do believe it has a dedicated website.
One thing I found about birding here it is usually not crowded allowing you to bird at your own speed. Your not shoulder to shoulder as in some of the more used sites such as Corkscrew.

LittleRed ( Ron)