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.

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)

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 😃😃😃

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

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!

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

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)

Already thought of that, Larry, & PM’d him last night. Waiting/hoping for a reply. As for the money to spend - I’m willing to spend within reason as long as I receive “value” in return for the expenditure. It would have been great if I’d paid a bit more attention to those 2 ladies last year. My attention was on shooting the 3 Barred Owls I’d just spotted all by myself - my first ever solo owl finds. I was way too full of myself. However, I DID get some images of those owls with which I am very happy.

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.