Suggestions Please for Lake Apopka Area
Apr 16, 2021 07:30:51 #
Despite having been Florida residents for several years, I have never been to Lake Apopka for birding, so my wife and I will be spending next weekend in the area. This will be our first “vacation” in over a year. Of course we will do the Wildlife Drive at least once, but I would appreciate suggestions on additional places or activities in the area. Primary interest is bird photography, but any other fun suggestions would be welcome. No theme parks, please.
Apr 16, 2021 07:43:43 #
My suggestions usually involve doing an Internet search with Google or one of the others.
Apr 16, 2021 07:51:41 #
jerryc41 wrote:
My suggestions usually involve doing an Internet search with Google or one of the others.
Jerry, I can read the ads as well. Looking for personal experiences from a group of folks who share my interests.
Apr 16, 2021 08:44:55 #
Gatorland, on 441 south side of Orlando might be classified as a "theme" park, but there is a very good rookery there among other opps ! And, this is a very good/right time to be there..... Veterans get a free admission and there is an early morning photo admission available also.
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Apr 16, 2021 09:15:09 #
When I lived near Ocala I loved going to Mount Dora. It is a nice town with historic buildings. There is also a boat trip that takes you through a wildlife area and a chance to photograph some birds. It departs from the old hotel.
Apr 17, 2021 07:00:48 #
You would be about an hour drive from Circle B Bar Reserve. Great for birding and other wildlife. There's a few Facebook groups that post the most recent photos of the migrants and other wildlife in the area at the present time.
Apr 17, 2021 08:30:09 #
PGJR
Loc: 33868
There's Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, 3365 Taylor Creek Rd, Christmas, FL 32709 about an hour East of Lake Apopka. Merritt Island Nat. Refuge another 30 minutes East (definitely worth going).
Apr 17, 2021 08:33:38 #
PGJR
Loc: 33868
In Lakeland there's Lake Mirror & Lake Morton where I've photographed Mute, Black-necked & black Swans, Chinese Mandarin & Wood Ducks among other fowl.
Apr 17, 2021 08:39:14 #
imagemeister wrote:
Gatorland, on 441 south side of Orlando might be classified as a "theme" park, but there is a very good rookery there among other opps ! And, this is a very good/right time to be there..... Veterans get a free admission and there is an early morning photo admission available also.
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Thank you, imagemeister! They have a photographers' admission for this coming Sunday, which looks very interesting.
Apr 17, 2021 08:40:19 #
cbabcock wrote:
When I lived near Ocala I loved going to Mount Dora. It is a nice town with historic buildings. There is also a boat trip that takes you through a wildlife area and a chance to photograph some birds. It departs from the old hotel.
Thanks for the suggestion. I don't think we'll make it there this time, but I'll keep this in my "to do" list.
Apr 17, 2021 08:42:25 #
GregDavis wrote:
You would be about an hour drive from Circle B Bar Reserve. Great for birding and other wildlife. There's a few Facebook groups that post the most recent photos of the migrants and other wildlife in the area at the present time.
Thanks, Greg. You are the third or fourth person to recommend the Circle B Bar Reserve, and we will definitely stop by there. It is on the way up toward Orlando, so it is now on the itinerary.
Apr 17, 2021 08:43:42 #
PGJR wrote:
There's Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, 3365 Taylor Creek Rd, Christmas, FL 32709 about an hour East of Lake Apopka. Merritt Island Nat. Refuge another 30 minutes East (definitely worth going).
Ah, so much to do! Merritt Island is also on my Florida "to do" list. Thanks for the suggestion.
Apr 17, 2021 08:47:39 #
PGJR wrote:
In Lakeland there's Lake Mirror & Lake Morton where I've photographed Mute, Black-necked & black Swans, Chinese Mandarin & Wood Ducks among other fowl.
Looking at the map, I can see how Lakeland got its name. Many thanks for the suggestions.
Apr 17, 2021 11:10:37 #
PGJR
Loc: 33868
ClarkJohnson wrote:
Looking at the map, I can see how Lakeland got its name. Many thanks for the suggestions.
Google Helen & Allan Cruickshank Sanctuary to put on your wish list, one of the places that have the Florida Scrub Jays.
Apr 17, 2021 12:01:27 #
As stated, google gatorland. I have not made it there yet but sounds like the aligator farm in St Augustine. You can get great rookery shots. Opens early on Sat I believe for photographers.
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