Gulf Side of Florida: I am planning on going to Clearwater Florida to see my fighting Phils at the beginning of March and then heading to FT Myers to see friends. Any recommendations...

Zaydewise Loc: Nashville TN

I am planning on going to Clearwater Florida to see my fighting Phils at the beginning of March and then heading to FT Myers to see friends. Any recommendations of photo opportunities on the Gulf side of the state?

Ol' Frank Loc: Orlando,

They are everywhere beginning with the Ringling Bros. Museum. You will be in a photographers paradise.

photoninja1 Loc: Tampa Florida

You're driving right by Bush Gardens, which has a great zoo with many good photo ops. Check out Tampa bay. There are numerous state parks and you could take a side trip to scenic Sanibel Island, which is just off your route of travel. You will also be within reach of the Everglades national park, not to be missed...just don't feed the gators.

Capt Gary Loc: Virginia

Just north of there State Park at Homosassa is great for lots of birds and manatees. If you stop there later in the afternoon hit Oselo, FL. It's right down the road. Has a great restaurant an great sunsets.

Just north of there is Cedar Key. A great little place to visit and shoot. Sunsets are unmatched.

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

Zaydewise wrote:

I am planning on going to Clearwater Florida to see my fighting Phils at the beginning of March and then heading to FT Myers to see friends. Any recommendations of photo opportunities on the Gulf side of the state?

You won't be far from George Steinbrenner Stadium to take some pics of the Yankees - LOL. I will be heading down there in March for a spring training game or two.
:-)

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Zaydewise wrote:

I am planning on going to Clearwater Florida to see my fighting Phils at the beginning of March and then heading to FT Myers to see friends. Any recommendations of photo opportunities on the Gulf side of the state?

The Everglades, Big Cypress and Corkscrew Swamp Audubon Sanctuary.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Zaydewise wrote:

I am planning on going to Clearwater Florida to see my fighting Phils at the beginning of March and then heading to FT Myers to see friends. Any recommendations of photo opportunities on the Gulf side of the state?

Consider Sanibel Island when down by Ft. Myers. Robert Hitchman publishes a guide to the island, shell beach, and surrounding wildlife reserves on his "Photograph America" website. You can download a PDF file of the guide for $8.

http://shop.photographamerica.com/Sanibel-and-Captiva-Islands-Florida-p/021-pdf.htm

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

Sanibel Island is great, as you go over in the car, turn right on periwinkle then make your next right and go out to the water, a nice park and always lots of birds to shoot. Back to perriwinkle, turn right, go to the stop sign and turn right, where san cap road starts, go straight back to the water and another park there, then back to Sancap and to ding Darling preserve, you can shoot there all day long,
then back left out of ding darling, to end of road, turn right, go past where you came in on Periwinkle and 1/2 mile on right is a hidden park with a mile trail around a lake.Cant remember its name, lots of photo ops there and never any people there. or if u passed ding darling, turnleft on Bowmans beach RD , wave as you pass my house is the blue one on the right , that takes you to bowmans beach and its a great spot for sunset pics... or take OLD alligator highway thru everghlades, there are lots of places to stop with free boardwalks out into the swamp. dont climb over the rails cause the gators are waiting for you. have fun cant wait to see your pics.

Capt Gary Loc: Virginia

Ding Darling is great.

spdmn54 Loc: Avon Lake, Ohio

While in Ft Myers, check out Sanibel and Captiva islands. Some of the best Shelling in the country, beautiful beaches. Our favorite spot when we go down.

Bogin Bob Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

Zaydewise wrote:

I am planning on going to Clearwater Florida to see my fighting Phils at the beginning of March and then heading to FT Myers to see friends. Any recommendations of photo opportunities on the Gulf side of the state?

Make Mr Google your freind
http://www.rmsp.com/blog/2011/02/10/10-places-to-photograph-in-tampa-this-weekend/

Don't forget what nature provides ...

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

Zaydewise wrote:

I am planning on going to Clearwater Florida to see my fighting Phils at the beginning of March and then heading to FT Myers to see friends. Any recommendations of photo opportunities on the Gulf side of the state?

Just south of Fort Myers halfway to Naples is Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. It is a Florida Audubon facility, 13,000 acres, with a 2.5 mile Boardwalk thru wetlands, swamps and the world's largest old growth bald cypress forest.

This time of year the days are short and they have long hours. If you are there early or late the light is great. One day a month in season they have an after hours event and they let you stay on the boardwalk after dark.

Do not miss it. You can see some of my cypress trees and corkscrew photos in two albums on my Flickr site at https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhow60/sets

zoeymcfee Loc: Haifa, Israel

Don't forget to check out Ft. Desoto which is the southern tip of Pinellas County ( where Clearwater is). It's an amazing park that has all kinds of wildlife and bird nesting habitats. If you can the chance, a trip to St. Augustine on the other side of the state is worth it. The oldest city in the US and has a great fort with a daily canon firing.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

The only place I haven't seen mentioned yet is the Circle B Bar Preserve in Lakeland, which I highly recommend.

FL Streetrodder

Zaydewise wrote:

I am planning on going to Clearwater Florida to see my fighting Phils at the beginning of March and then heading to FT Myers to see friends. Any recommendations of photo opportunities on the Gulf side of the state?

You might want to visit the Largo Historical Park and adjacent Gardens, only a short drive from Clearwater. As others have mentioned the Ringling Estate is another great place to visit as is the Edison Estate. Don't know whether or not you have an interest in collector cars, but there is an excellent and large) collection of Muscle Cars located in Punta Gorda. Fort Desoto State Park off Pinellas Bayway on St. Rte. 679 is an excellent spot for photographing birdlife.