jaduff Loc: Northern NJ

Can also recommend Honeymoon Island as my mother lives in Dunedin and I've been out there a few times. Another photographer on MacRumors has taken some wonderful shots of eagles there and some gorgeous sunsets.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

LOL! Yes, I took 240 images out there yesterday. The Osprey are sitting on their eggs while the spouses are flying out and getting food. Got some great shots of a few eating their fish. The Bald Eagle was being shy... I just got a couple of distant shots of a head sticking up out of the nest. Was a great 3 or 4 hours of hiking/shooting. And, I only covered about 1/10th of the preserve.. there were 6 or 7 trails in the nature walk area that I didn't go on and only visited Oasis Beach. I really want to take the ferry out to Caladesi Island.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Caladesi-Island

By the way.. for any thinking of visiting Florida.. the above link will connect to ALL of the state parks.

cowgirl57

You will need at least a 400mm to photograph birds and wildlife.
Just got back from south Florida. It was great for birds and wildlife.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

If you head over to Venice, there is an Audubon Rookery there that's quite active, but I'm not sure if you have enough lens for it. http://veniceaudubon.org/rookery

MtnMan Loc: ID

Much more relaxing than an airboat is to rent a pontoon boat on one of the rivers or lakes nearby. Not sure which in Ft. Meyers area but some here can help.

If not up to self drive I am sure there are tours.

The birds don't seem to mind you when on a quiet boat. Alligators, turtles, or manatee either.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

I'm not sure but for motors over 10hp, I think you need a "Safe Boater Certificate" or training to take them out alone.

Sarge69

MtnMan Loc: ID

If born after 1988. Not a problem for most on UHH.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Yes you do but it isn't a big deal and you can get it online and print out the "passing" certificate. They will mail you a card in a couple of weeks. I've got mine and it took me about a few hours online watching the descriptions and then answering the questions. It mainly speed limits, right of way lights... Like the red and green on the bow and the white on the mast or stern. and if you can see the "RED" light on the other boat's stern, he/she has the right of way and if you see the green, then they "should" yield to you. Don't count on them yielding though. Its basic stuff and the main thing is learning to read the channel markers.
http://www.boat-ed.com/florida/

You can study and take the course for free but once you pass, it is $29.95 for the card/certificate.

And it is now required to rent or purchase (license) a boat in Florida

MtnMan Loc: ID

Not as of last year.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Hmmm... it says that it is required If you were born after 1988. You and I don't need it.. but I did get it.

The stuff was good info and (while I knew most of it) the stuff on dealing with drawbridges, cruse ships etc. was good to know and being from a state that basically had rivers and lakes, there was info that I hadn't been exposed to.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Right. Sad to say they didn't even ask me.

http://www.florida-keys-vacation.com/Florida-Keys-Boat-Rentals.html#axzz4Xp7OSZnU

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Lol!! I didn't give the rental guys at "I See Sharks" a chance. I went in, identified myself as having a boat reserved, and handed them the card.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

Go out to Sanibel and Visit Ding Darling, If your over 65 get a senior pass and ding Darling is free ,BUT before you go , go online and get a tide chart and see when low tide is, on sanibel. Thats when you'll see most birds feeding on the flats. As your leaving ding darling , watch for the shell mound boardwalk, on your left. Stop and take a walk its all boardwalk and sometimes you'll get great pix. Next as you leave ding Darling, Cross over San Cap road, and go into the development, look for a tower. its in there a bit you'll have to roam around to find it. Then park on the grass and go up and get some good shots from above the trees. Next head towards Captiva, stop at the pink Flamingo ? ( something flamingo) great food and then walk across the street and get some shots of the gulf. Explore captiva, The Green Flash restaurant is on the water and almost always Manatees there. Or stop in the bubble room for lunch or dinner its a real experience.
then Head back towards Sanibel. Turn Right On Bowmans Beach rd, you can go on the beach and get some pix BUT you'll pay for parking. wave I live in the blue house...( im not currently there or Id let u park in the drive now the neighbors would call police and you'd have to explain it)

next head back towards Sanibel and when u get to Tarpon turn right, Go past Perriwinkle ( thats how you came in) then look for more of ding Darling on your right. Its a walking trail some times u see gators, lots of birds, Gopher tortoises etc. when done back to Periwinkle
. Now look for signs for the police station or library on your left. There is a small park behine there and lots of gators in there... Now back to perriwinkle past the bridge and you'll come to the light house, lots of great pix there. That a whole day , oh and if u pay to get into Ding Darling, save your receipt and drive thru again free , because later in the day the birds change and you'll get new shots.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

When I was in NH, they stopped the On-Line test because of cheating.

Sarge69

Corsair Photog Loc: Southeast WI

You guys are suggesting all options. My wife and I will try to fit all we can from your suggestions! Thanks!!