Driving from Irmo, SC to Tampa Fl and need a little break: Trying to break-up the eight-hour drive and have some lunch. Looking for information on photographing wildlife 4 to 5 hours...

cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

Trying to break-up the eight-hour drive and have some lunch. Looking for information on photographing wildlife 4 to 5 hours down the road near the Florida Georgia line. Current plan is stop at the Okefenokee national wildlife refuge, didn’t know if somewhere else would be a better location. Any information about the area would be much appreciated.
Thanks Charles

Jrwil

Howdy neighbor from a fellow Irmolian. Sorry, no help on your request other google map your route or maybe e-bird might help.

cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

Jrwil wrote:

Howdy neighbor from a fellow Irmolian. Sorry, no help on your request other google map your route or maybe e-bird might help.

Thanks Jrwil, I will check out your e-bird suggestion.
Charles

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Your fastest route would be I-95 to I-10 to 301 to I-75. I’d check out Jekyll Island.

Bubbee Loc: Aventura, Florida

Lunch at picturesque St. Augustine...You won't want to leave! Then there's Weicheewachee (not sure of spelling) Springs as you go south in beautiful Florida! And before you leave Tampa, (and Ybor City), check out nearby Clearwater and the Gulf Beaches!

Bubbee Loc: Aventura, Florida

Bubbee wrote:

Lunch at picturesque St. Augustine...You won't want to leave! Then there's Weicheewachee (not sure of spelling) Springs as you go south in beautiful Florida! And before you leave Tampa, (and Ybor City), check out nearby Clearwater and the Gulf Beaches!

Oops...you said 'wildlife'! That would be in the forests in the center of the State!

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Bubbee wrote:

Lunch at picturesque St. Augustine...You won't want to leave! Then there's Weicheewachee (not sure of spelling) Springs as you go south in beautiful Florida! And before you leave Tampa, (and Ybor City), check out nearby Clearwater and the Gulf Beaches!

The problem with St. Augustine is that it would put him far enough past Jacksonville that going to Tampa would involve I-4 and passing Orlando. For me that would be a hard “NO”! In your other posts you mention the center of the state for wildlife. When I drive to the Tampa area from Virginia I always stop in Ocala to kayak Silver Springs. It’s one of my favorite places to kayak and I know the wildlife is abundant on the river. I imagine you would also see a lot from the trails. The reason I didn’t recommend it is because by that point you’re only 2 hours from Tampa, usually not the time you’d want your break in an 8 hour trip.

Bubbee Loc: Aventura, Florida

SuperflyTNT wrote:

The problem with St. Augustine is that it would pu... (show quote)

I stand corrected! Apologies and thanks!

Tom467 Loc: North Central Florida

A little out of your way off Interstate 75 is Manatee Springs State Park.

https://search.aol.com/aol/image;_ylt=A0geKee_21BiEuwAKKxpCWVH;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzIEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Nj?q=manatee+springs+state+park&v_t=loki-keyword

Tom

Tom467 Loc: North Central Florida

A little out of your way off Interstate 75 is Manatee Springs State Park.

https://search.aol.com/aol/image;_ylt=A0geKee_21BiEuwAKKxpCWVH;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzIEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Nj?q=manatee+springs+state+park&v_t=loki-keyword

Tom

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Tom467 wrote:

A little out of your way off Interstate 75 is Manatee Springs State Park.

https://search.aol.com/aol/image;_ylt=A0geKee_21BiEuwAKKxpCWVH;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzIEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Nj?q=manatee+springs+state+park&v_t=loki-keyword

Tom

Again at that point you’re only 2 hours from Tampa. Probably not where you’d choose to stop to break up an 8 hour trip.

quagmire Loc: Greenwood,South Carolina

When in Tampa, go to the race track. They have everything there: horse races, slots, poker tables, bars, and probably a house of ill repute.

ad9mac

Crystal River and manatees.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Crystal+River+Things+to+Do&&view=detail&mid=C3D29F1A4355E0E311E6C3D29F1A4355E0E311E6&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3DCrystal%2BRiver%2BThings%2Bto%2BDo%26FORM%3DVARSQP%26msclkid%3Dd3af536cb7f511ecb7facb627b8004f1

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

cedymock wrote:

Trying to break-up the eight-hour drive and have some lunch. Looking for information on photographing wildlife 4 to 5 hours down the road near the Florida Georgia line. Current plan is stop at the Okefenokee national wildlife refuge, didn’t know if somewhere else would be a better location. Any information about the area would be much appreciated.
Thanks Charles

2 of the best wildlife places in that part of FL

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/merritt-island

https://polknature.com/explore/circle-b-bar-reserve

Only problem with circle b is that it requires using I-4 which, as someone mentioned earlier, is a road that you never want to be on unless you are going to Disney or Circle B. Yes - it’s that bad!

Canisdirus

I'd stick to your original plan.
Okefenokee is amazing...plenty of...everything.