Ding Darling and Roseate Spoonbils: I saw today’s beautiful photos of the roseate spoonbills. Where in SW Florida do you think I have the best shot of seeing them? I have never been to...

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

I saw today’s beautiful photos of the roseate spoonbills. Where in SW Florida do you think I have the best shot of seeing them?

I have never been to Ding Darling. What are your recommendations for best times (morning etc)? Do tides make a difference? Any other factors?

Thanks in advance for your advice

petego4it Loc: NY

please post results. we're going too in a few....

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Where is Ding Darling?

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Ding Darling is on Sanibel Island just outside Ft, Myers FL. Yes, tides do make a difference.

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

Fotoartist wrote:

Ding Darling is on Sanibel Island just outside Ft, Myers FL. Yes, tides do make a difference.

Please expand about tides. Thanks.

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

Interestingly, I found info on Ding Darling website that best tide for viewing wildlife is low tide.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

genocolo wrote:

Please expand about tides. Thanks.

What photographers need to know is that the shore birds like to feed where the water level is just about the right height. And when that level is close to the Ding Darling road the birds are close to get good shots. When the water retreats then they are way out much further and are a long way away from the road.

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

Very interesting. Thanks. Makes sense. Wonder why DD website recommends low tide?

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

genocolo wrote:

I saw today’s beautiful photos of the roseate spoonbills. Where in SW Florida do you think I have the best shot of seeing them?

I have never been to Ding Darling. What are your recommendations for best times (morning etc)? Do tides make a difference? Any other factors?

Thanks in advance for your advice

There are three primary stopping points along Ding Darling’s Wildlife Drive, where there is water on both sides of the road and pass-throughs for water. At stops #1 and #3, the road is heading directly north, which puts the sun at your back in the morning as you look west at the most popular feeding spots. At stop #2, the road runs northwest. Stop #3 is the largest with an observation tower, and generally has the most « action. » However, the attached photo was taken at stop #1 in the afternoon looking east, so anything is possible.

Late afternoon is when the birds congregate on the sandbars for the evening.

Have fun.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Ding Darling is good but it's also not far from Corkscrew sanctuary where I have found many Spoonies and others!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/37991479@N08/albums/72157636006648736/with/33657079526/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/37991479@N08/albums/72157650714086499

In-lightened Loc: Kansas City

Another consideration for Spring is the timing of the Spoonies breeding and nesting season. They generally vacate Ding Darling for their breeding ground. One of the locals was explaining this to me when I was there last March and disappointed about their absence. He said they return in June....I believe that month is correct. But check. I am not sure when they leave either so maybe this month they are still there....???

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

nimbushopper wrote:

Ding Darling is good but it's also not far from Corkscrew sanctuary where I have found many Spoonies and others!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/37991479@N08/albums/72157636006648736/with/33657079526/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/37991479@N08/albums/72157650714086499

Agree - definitely worth the drive to Corkscrew Sanctuary.

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

ClarkJohnson wrote:

There are three primary stopping points along Ding... (show quote)

Thanks for the suggestions and terrific photo.

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

nimbushopper wrote:

Ding Darling is good but it's also not far from Corkscrew sanctuary where I have found many Spoonies and others!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/37991479@N08/albums/72157636006648736/with/33657079526/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/37991479@N08/albums/72157650714086499

Thanks. Will definitely be going there too.

Btw your photos are really good, esp the egrets.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

genocolo wrote:

I saw today’s beautiful photos of the roseate spoonbills. Where in SW Florida do you think I have the best shot of seeing them?

I have never been to Ding Darling. What are your recommendations for best times (morning etc)? Do tides make a difference? Any other factors?

Thanks in advance for your advice

Tide is more important than time. Low tide is prime time at Ding Darling. Of course if you can go when low tide falls around golden hour you’ll get the best light.