MaxxtheDog Loc: Milwaukee, WI

Hi Photo Brain,
I'm heading to Sanibel with the family at the end of March. I am not much of a wildlife shooter, but would like to take some bird/animal pictures while I'm down there. We are also going to be doing a 1/2 day boat tour to go shelling and hopefully see some dolphins.
My questions:
Where should I go to find some wildlife. I'm assuming Ding Darling? I found a thread from 2015, I'm assuming some of the answers are the same.
Next, What do I do about the salt water and sand. Can you recommend a bag that I could put my gear in?
I would like to take it on the boat.
Finally, I have the following gear:
Nikon D5, D500 and Z6. The D5 is great, but I don't want to risk anything happening to it. I was thinking the Z6 as I really like to travel with the camera, but if we happen to see some dolphins, they will be too fast for that camera (but I could use video maybe). So them I'm with the D500. I only want to bring one.
Lens: 200-500, 5.6. I will probably bring it for birds and animals. I have a 300, 2.8 but that is my "good" lens and again, I'm not sure I want to risk it. I also have 70-200 and 24-70. both 2.8. I'm driving there, so I have the room. I know I can take it all, but I do not really want to have it all with me.
I'm probably overthinking it.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

No matter how careful you are sand and salt air (becomes just salt) are enemies of cameras and lens. I live at the NJ shore and see what salt air does.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Ding Darling is a great place to photograph birds and other wildlife. We prefer to do the loop on bicycles because it’s easy to see birds and stop
I would take your best equipment. Why own good equipment If you don’t want to use it? In Ding Darling take the 300 and the 200-500 with the D5 and D500. In Ding Darling there is no problem with salt and sand unless you drop your camera in the dirt. On the boat do whatever.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Additionally if you are there for a few days plan on going both days. Allow about 3 hours for the loop

ollie Loc: Ogdensburg, NY

check to see what day it's closed. I can't remember which day but it is closed 1 day. There is no problem taking what you want a doing the loop in a car. Lots of places to pull over and get out for pictures. Try to time your trip near low tide. the number and variety of birds and how close they will be is amazing. Alligators as well. Everyone there is doing the same thing so go slow and enjoy it

For the boat ride the dolphins will come right over to the boat and jump in the wake behind the boat. so no large lenses required there. Enjoy its is phenomenal

kcooke Loc: Alabama

👍👍👍

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Ding Darling at Low Tide only if you want to capture the birds. Water to deep at high tide so no birds......

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I shoot in Florida Wetlands, all over Florida. The best combo you have is the D500 with the 200-500 mm lens. It should cover everything you will need. However, if your fortunate enough to be really close, the 70-200 would be a close second lens. But honestly, your best bet would be the D500 with the 200-500 lens. It is all I used for three years and I hardly missed a shot.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Go next door to Cape Coral and catch the Burrowing Owls. Google will lead you to a couple easy to find spots.

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

Lots of birds on the beaches just over the causeway onto Sanibel - Roseates, Magnificent Frigates, etc., etc., etc. Take the D500 with your 200-500. As for the sand and water - I wouldn't worry too much about that unless you're planning on shooting while lying in wet sand or a tidal pool. In that case, get yourself an OpTech Plastic "raincoat" for your camera and lens - available inexpensively at B&H and come in different sizes. Plan to secure it to the front of your lens hood with an elastic band - works great keeping the plastic in place. The raincoat would also work on the boat.
BTW, I regularly shoot shore birds where I live at the southern tip of NJ and the OpTech works great, and I shoot with a D500 and the Nikon 500mm PF. You might want to consider a ground pod with a gimbal or ball head for low perspective shots of birds on the beach.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Unless your going to lay your camera on the ground or blanket on the ground while hanging out on the beach, don't worry about the sand & salt. I use the 200-500 several times a year at the beach without any problems for 5 years now. All 3 of your cameras could handle it. If the boat ride is going to be wet , you can get water tight bags made for canoes, etc. pretty cheap. If I owned your cameras & the wildlife was the main reason for taking it, it would be the D5. If you want to go light , D500. If you only take 1 lens, don't hesitate to use the 200-500 for a sunset photo zoomed all the way to 500mm. If you decide to take a second lens 24-70 or the 70-200 would be my second choice. Have fun, Tom

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Ding Darling is right on the island, so it's a must! I've never had a problem with sand or salt water as long as it's not very windy. You are also fairly close to Corkscrew Sanctuary, which has a great boardwalk giving you good access to wildlife very comfortably. I would go with two bodies, one with a 24-70, and the other 200-500. That way you can do landscapes and tight wildlife shots without changing lenses in the field.

MaxxtheDog Loc: Milwaukee, WI

Good point. After all, it is all insured anyway.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Ding Darling wildlife loop is closed on Fridays.
To get into corkscrew you must pre register this year (covid regulations)

Best of luck, and have fun!

Edit: sorry, couldn’t get link to corkscrew to stick. Just google it, you can register there.

rfcoakley Loc: Auburn, NH

We went through Ding Darling twice this season. (As was noted, the refuge is closed on Fridays). We drove through, but many travel the 4 mile loop on bikes. There is also a shuttle.

An abundance of birds were there during our first trip - less so the second time. The highlight is the American White Pelican. For the first trip, the ranger told us that they had stopped counting at about 700. Another place to stop while on Sanibel is at the lighthouse and pier (they share a common parking area). There are lots of osprey nesting around the lighthouse. On the pier, there are lots of pelicans and wading birds that land on the pier on in the water next to the pier. A long lens is best for Ding Darling - probably not necessary at the pier.