Everglades NP or other site in FLA recommendation: When to go, Where to stay? Want to shoot birds and other animals. Wife NOT a lover of rural places. So the place to stay is important...

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

When to go, Where to stay?

Want to shoot birds and other animals. Wife NOT a lover of rural places. So the place to stay is important for restaurants, etc.

Thanks

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Sanibel. Great vacation spot, lots of amenities. But also has Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Outstanding nature photo opportunities abound. In addition, another nature preserve, the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, is an easy drive from Sanibel. Don't be put off by the "swamp" part - it's mostly boardwalk.

Best times - late winter or spring.

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

DWU2 wrote:

Sanibel. Great vacation spot, lots of amenities. But also has Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Outstanding nature photo opportunities abound. In addition, another nature preserve, the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, is an easy drive from Sanibel. Don't be put off by the "swamp" part - it's mostly boardwalk.

Best times - late winter or spring.

THANKS - will look into al spots

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

Jim S wrote:

When to go, Where to stay?

Want to shoot birds and other animals. Wife NOT a lover of rural places. So the place to stay is important for restaurants, etc.

Thanks

There are some nice places to photograph near Naples, Fl. (which is close to the Everglades), and Naples has many nice places to stay and a ton of great restaurants.

Here are a couple of places where you can see shorebirds, waterbirds, alligators, turtles, etc.

The Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary has a terrific board walk and an observation tower.
http://corkscrew.audubon.org

The CREW Land & Water Trust Bird Rookery Swamp Trail has a shorter boardwalk but also has a trail through the swamp.
http://www.crewtrust.org/2013/06/26/bird-rookery-swamp-trail/

The Naples Botanical Garden doesn't offer much in the way of birds, but has a great collection of flowers (if you go don't pass up the Orchid garden) and a very nice Butterfly House.
http://www.naplesgarden.org

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

Thanks much - yes I like and so does the wife - Naples!!

Ol' Frank Loc: Orlando,

Just remember, the big wading migrating birds don't usually get here until November and leave about the first of March. During that time there are millions of them all over Florida. The Naples area is a great place as is the whole Gulf Coast for spectacular sunsets.

unclebe1 Loc: NYC & Wellington, FL

Wakodahatchee wetlands in Delray Beach is a great location (just south of West Palm Beach). Virtually around the corner is Green Cay Nature Center. A few minutes south of those, still in Delray Beach, is Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. Several miles further south in Coconut Creek is Butterfly World. There are an untold number of things for your wife in West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and further on down to Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

unclebe1 wrote:

Wakodahatchee wetlands in Delray Beach is a great location (just south of West Palm Beach). Virtually around the corner is Green Cay Nature Center. A few minutes south of those, still in Delray Beach, is Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. Several miles further south in Coconut Creek is Butterfly World. There are an untold number of things for your wife in West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and further on down to Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

I second these two locations. They come alive in January through March with baby birds everywhere. The boardwalks at both of these locations bring you close to the action. Keep in mind that there are many, many walkers so tripods have to be managed to keep them from being in the way. We live for six months minutes away from these locations, my wife walks and I shoot, then in the evening I take her, and myself to dinner at Delray Beach, a wonderful location that has an historic and wonderful hotel right downtown. Good luck.

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

Jim, Check out the Great Florida Birding Trail. It lists all of the birding locations in Florida. You can plan a trip around it. Gary http://www.floridabirdingtrail.com/

Jim S wrote:

When to go, Where to stay?

Want to shoot birds and other animals. Wife NOT a lover of rural places. So the place to stay is important for restaurants, etc.

Thanks

IHH61 Loc: Homestead Fl

Stay in Homestead, lots cheaper than Miami or Key Largo but still with high end lodging. You will be right in the middle of both Everglades and Biscayne National parks!

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

DWU2 wrote:

Sanibel. Great vacation spot, lots of amenities. But also has Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Outstanding nature photo opportunities abound. In addition, another nature preserve, the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, is an easy drive from Sanibel. Don't be put off by the "swamp" part - it's mostly boardwalk.

Best times - late winter or spring.

And while your wife lounges on the beach you can take a day trip on the Tamiami Trail Road to drive the Loop Road through the upper Everglades. Many of Gregory's photos posted here, if I am not mistaken, are taken on the Loop Road. This destination would be a good compromise I think.

See: http://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/big-cypress-loop-road.html

http://www.floridapanther.com/articles/LoopRoad.htm

MTG44 Loc: Corryton, Tennessee

Viera Wetlands near Melbourne. Many restaurants and shops. Melbourne downtown quite nice.

Opus Loc: South East Michigan

A lot of great recommendations here, I have been to all but one of them. If you are up in the middle of the State try Merritt Island NWR just north of the space center. Just after you cross over the bridge there is a little pull off where you can pick up a info pamphlet. You will find a two track path on the west side of that little pull off, take it and bear right at every split.

If you don't mind cheesy tourist attractions go to Gatorland in Orlando, they have a natural rookery in the back that is outstanding. The alligator farm in St. Augustine has one also.

psimison

The Alligator Farm in St Augustine is great. Nice town as well. Venice Rookery is very nice if you have a 500mm lens. Alligator Land in Orlando is also a nice bird shoot. Timing is everything. February through early June is best at the rookeries with lots of eggs and young chicks. Some very close.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Jim S wrote:

When to go, Where to stay?

Want to shoot birds and other animals. Wife NOT a lover of rural places. So the place to stay is important for restaurants, etc.

Thanks

Jim, looks as though you are headed for the wrong safari. It is highly doubtful you will find many photography subjects sitting in your fancy restaurant, they're not allow in. Does your wife like zoos? They may be your only hope. Lots of GL 2 U.