Clearwater FL Ohoto Opportunities: I'm spending two weeks in the Clearwater-St Pete area in January 2022. What are some "Must See" photo opportunities in about 1.5 hour radius? Thank...

jjenk

I'm spending two weeks in the Clearwater-St Pete area in January 2022. What are some "Must See" photo opportunities in about 1.5 hour radius? Thank you!

kcooke Loc: Alabama

That depends on what you would like to photograph. If it’s birds and wildlife there are many opportunities. Let us know

jjenk

kcooke wrote:

That depends on what you would like to photograph. If it’s birds and wildlife there are many opportunities. Let us know

Yes, wildlife and birds, but also interesting landscapes. Thank you.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Yes indeed. There are a number of wildlife refuges. Ding darling on sanibel island comes to mind. But it is about 2 hrs away

kcooke Loc: Alabama

This link will provide a lot of information about the area searchable by county

https://floridabirdingtrail.com/trail/trail-sections/west-section/

RCheal Loc: Brandon, FL USA

jjenk wrote:

I'm spending two weeks in the Clearwater-St Pete area in January 2022. What are some "Must See" photo opportunities in about 1.5 hour radius? Thank you!

This place is free - lots of wildlife including birds and alligators. I love it there
Circle B Bar Reserve
https://www.polknature.com/explore/circle-b-bar-reserve

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

There are many photogenic opportunities at this part of Florida. For wildlife and virgin FL landscapes nothing beats the Circle B Bar preserve in Lakeland. Have a look at photos I've taken there.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/37991479@N08/albums/72157633095236003

Ding Darling on Sannibel Island is another good birding site, but a couple hours drive.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/37991479@N08/albums/72157650714086499

Clearwater beach itself is great for beach scenes as is Ft DeSoto park.

For people photography you can't beat Ybor City across the bay in Tampa!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/37991479@N08/albums/72157662662748696

goldstar46 Loc: Tampa, Fl

jjenk wrote:

I'm spending two weeks in the Clearwater-St Pete area in January 2022. What are some "Must See" photo opportunities in about 1.5 hour radius? Thank you!

Interesting ..... I am following

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The ZooTampa is surprisingly expensive, but well worth a day-long visit. About 11am, if memory serves, they have a feeding and discussion of their orangutans where the animals are about as close as a moat allows. Their aviaries are amazing too, a few pics from one recent visit:

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-625498-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-628903-1.html

I've been repeatedly to the fishing pier next to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, officially the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, the south end specifically. On a clear evening for $4 you can set-up with birds flying / gliding into the sunset, facing you, in the onshore breeze flowing from the Gulf into the Tampa Bay.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-636934-1.html

Finally, there's the old fort at Ft De Soto that is both a historic monument and public beach and wildlife area.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-589474-1.html

photon-collector Loc: Tampa Bay Area, Florida

A day trip to Tarpon Springs, about 10 miles from Clearwater, might be nice. Tarpon Springs is a long-time Greek fishing community (sponge diving, etc) with authentic color and charm. Visit the Sponge Docks, Spring Bayou, Sunset Beach, Fred Howard Park, or North Anclote River Park. BTW: Delicious Greek food is available at most every restaurant in the city.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

For a unique birding opportunity, the Venice (FL) Rookery is a small island in a lake that harbors a myriad of nesting birds. The island is a short distance from the shoreline, and in the morning the sun comes up behind the photographic area, providing great light. The site is free and not that far from you.

I live in the Fort Myers area, and echo the recommendations for the multiple locations on Sanibel. Ding Darling is the prime spot, but there are several other sites on the island as well.

EBird is a goid resource for locating birding hotspots.

Enjoy!

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

photon-collector wrote:

A day trip to Tarpon Springs, about 10 miles from Clearwater, might be nice. Tarpon Springs is a long-time Greek fishing community (sponge diving, etc) with authentic color and charm. Visit the Sponge Docks, Spring Bayou, Sunset Beach, Fred Howard Park, or North Anclote River Park. BTW: Delicious Greek food is available at most every restaurant in the city.

Excellent suggestion, and good photo ops too!

LEWHITE7747 Loc: 33773

jjenk wrote:

I'm spending two weeks in the Clearwater-St Pete area in January 2022. What are some "Must See" photo opportunities in about 1.5 hour radius? Thank you!

There are many things to photograph. The sunrise at the Safety Harbor Pier or the Skyway. If you like birds you can go to North Beach of Fort DeSoto and see the dancing reddish egrets or the Tampa rookery and see the beautiful mating colors of the Tricolors. (see a few examples)

(Download)

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

LEWHITE7747 wrote:

There are many things to photograph. The sunrise at the Safety Harbor Pier or the Skyway. If you like birds you can go to North Beach of Fort DeSoto and see the dancing reddish egrets or the Tampa rookery and see the beautiful mating colors of the Tricolors. (see a few examples)

You've got some outstanding photos there!

jjenk

Thank you all for these great suggestions. You always come through.