Looking for Naples, FLA tips - Birding / nature
Oct 11, 2018 15:34:37 #
I've found a few candidates and would appreciate feedback for why to choose one over another or any better ideas I've missed. I'll be in the area for nearly a week in early November so a ranked order would be helpful too. I've never been this far south on the Gulf side. Staying with friends who don't have a photography interest. Thanks.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Bird Rookery Swamp Trail
Florida Panther NWR
Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve
Big Cypress National Preserve
J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Bird Rookery Swamp Trail
Florida Panther NWR
Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve
Big Cypress National Preserve
J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Oct 11, 2018 16:13:07 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
I've found a few candidates and would appreciate f... (show quote)
I have been to both the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and the Bird Rookery Swamp Trail. They are both worth a visit, though I rank Corkscrew the better of the two.
Oct 11, 2018 17:04:00 #
I have been to Corkscrew twice and spent two days at Ding Darling this past spring. I recommend both. If you have a senior National Park Pass they actually honor it at Ding Darling even though D.D. is not a N.P. I used an 80-400 lens both places because it's the longest I have and I was able to find plenty of opportunities for birds.
Oct 11, 2018 17:15:23 #
Thank you Mac, Drip Dry! It seems I did list them in a priority order from my notes. Hopefully, the weather will work given the season so far.
Oct 11, 2018 17:27:46 #
If you are staying in Naples and want a quick place to shoot you may want to try Freedom Park on Golden Gate Parkway just east of Goodlett-Frank Blvd. Early in the morning there are Otters, maybe a gator, and lots of birds and flowers. If you happen to be there on the 2nd Thursday of the month, you are welcome to attend the monthly meeting of the Naples DPI-SIG camera club. PM me if you are interested.
Oct 11, 2018 20:54:18 #
Place Ding-Darling at the top of your list... Lots of great birding, but you need to arrive at Low Tide as the birds will be in the shallows looking for food, at High tide, No birds. You also have a light house a little sea oaks, some nice drift wood and gnarly trees on the beach for landscape shots. All along HWY41 headed south out of town you will find King fisher's on the power lines all along the canal for miles. Corkscrew is ok, but dapple light to full shade and the water is probably pretty low. Very difficult to capture Good shots. You could call ahead and see if the Barred Owls are hanging around the board walk, you can almost touch them if there, but hit or miss.. Highly recommend going to Cape Coral and head over to the Main Public Library. There are 7 or 8 burrowing owl nest around the parking lot, they came out around 9am... lots of photo opportunities with them. You can also drive thru the neighborhoods and find the burrowing owl nest in the empty lots. I would place this at least 2nd on your list.......
Oct 11, 2018 22:54:24 #
Thank you for the great tips and invite, SonyA580, martinfisherphoto! Other than I need to be in Ft Lauderdale on Nov 3 and I want to be at a few airshows around JAX, most of the trip is flexible allowing for adjustments to weather and various options. If I should be in Naples on that 2nd Thurs, I'll let you know. With sadness today, I saw the rescued panther at the Naples Zoo passed away last month as I've been researching the zoos and their animals across Florida.
Oct 11, 2018 22:59:12 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
I've found a few candidates and would appreciate f... (show quote)
I have made the trip 3 times. My priority would be
J.N.Ding Darling National Wildlife refuge
Corkscrew
Rookery Swamp Trail
Big Cypress
and a must is Clyde Butcher Gallery. Lots of opportunity across the road from his gallery.
http://www.authenticflorida.com/articles/where-to-go/meet-the-ansel-adams-of-florida-photographer-clyde-butcher/
I go to his Big Cypress Gallery
https://clydebutcher.com/galleries/
Big Cypress Gallery
52388 Tamiami Trail Ochopee, FL Phone: 239-695-2428 Open 7 days a week 10am-5:00pm
He offers swamp walks behind his gallery
Oct 11, 2018 23:12:46 #
PixelStan77 wrote:
I have made the trip 3 times. My priority would be... (show quote)
Cool, thank you Stan!
Oct 11, 2018 23:29:31 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Also consider a mangrove air boat ride. Have done it each time and lots of birding and alligator opportunities to photograph. The best one is: Wooten's Everglades Airboat TourCool, thank you Stan!
32330 Tamiami Trl E, Ochopee, FL 34141-2006
You will pass it on the right side on the way to Clydes place.
For me it is a must.
Oct 12, 2018 06:14:20 #
These are all great places. Here is a link to the Florida Birding Trail, which may be a useful reference during your time n FL. If you go to Clyde Butchers Gallery, then you should drive further to the Everglades. Gary http://floridabirdingtrail.com/go/
Oct 12, 2018 06:21:02 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
I've found a few candidates and would appreciate f... (show quote)
I’ve not been to the ones you’ve listed but the Venice Area Audobon Society is really a special place...a rookery for all kinds of wading birds.
Located at:
4002 Tamiami Trail
Venice Fl 34293
Oct 12, 2018 06:38:52 #
I have been to all you have mentioned as I go to Naples several times a year. The Naples zoo and botanical gardens are right next to each other and make a good days shooting.
Oct 12, 2018 07:16:09 #
ole sarg
Loc: south florida
Just as important as the place is the equipment and the most necessary piece of equipment is a can of OFF
CHG_CANON wrote:
I've found a few candidates and would appreciate f... (show quote)
Oct 12, 2018 07:57:13 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
CHG_CANON wrote:
I've found a few candidates and would appreciate f... (show quote)
Two of the best, Green Cay and Wakodahatchee. These two are only about a 1/2 mile apart.
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