Help for the Orlando/Tampa area: I find that I will be in central Florida next week with a couple of days of "free time". Rather than visiting Mickey and/or other parks of that nature...

swartfort Loc: Evansville, IN

I find that I will be in central Florida next week with a couple of days of "free time". Rather than visiting Mickey and/or other parks of that nature, I am wondering if any fellow wildlife photographers might share some spots where I can find nature preserves or wildlife areas where I can capture images. I won't have the gear to do my normal stalking, so proximity will be important.

Any help will be appreciated

Labtrainer

Lake Apoka is a great wildlife drive. Opens Friday thru Sunday. Black point Wild life drive is really awesome and is open daily. Both are car accessible. Orlando wetlands in Christmas is another choice. Orlando wetlands is a walking trail but they have riding tours on Friday and Saturday.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

You must go to the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, a very short drive from Orlando for the best wildlife and Florida landscape photography. It's free, has adequate parking(get there when it opens) and several hours of walking is all you need. Here's a sample of photos I've taken there.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/37991479@N08/albums/72157633095236003

riffmax

Some very nice work, there nimbu!

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

The Blue Spring state park is very nice and it's where the manatees winter. There is also a cruise boat that does tours of sections of the St. John's river - make sure you call ahead to reserve a seat.

Fotoserj Loc: St calixte Qc Ca

I was ther last February and spent a day at gatorland and a morning on Kissimmee lake air boating for northern harriers, brought back over 2500 shot of mostly fishing osprey in gatorland and harriers on the lake

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

riffmax wrote:

Some very nice work, there nimbu!

Thank you! I've been all over FL and feel this place offers the best in the shortest amount of time.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Steve - I was in Tampa back in Nov. Try this idea for some BIF practice: find a clear forecast for afternoon / evening and head out onto the Skyway park fishing pier (I-275). There's a north and south pier. The south side has a better view of the bridge. I think it was $4.00 for an hour although no one seems to adhere to the 1-hour limit. What you get is sun at your back for birds flying / gliding in the wind watching the fishermen / women on the pier.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

CHG_CANON wrote:

Steve - I was in Tampa back in Nov. Try this idea for some BIF practice: find a clear forecast for afternoon / evening and head out onto the Skyway park fishing pier (I-275). There's a north and south pier. The south side has a better view of the bridge. I think it was $4.00 for an hour although no one seems to adhere to the 1-hour limit. What you get is sun at your back for birds flying / gliding in the wind watching the fishermen / women on the pier.

Good idea, you can also get good pics of the wind surfers from this location. Fort DeSoto park is also very near there, good for birding too!

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Labtrainer wrote:

Lake Apoka is a great wildlife drive. Opens Friday thru Sunday. Black point Wild life drive is really awesome and is open daily. Both are car accessible. Orlando wetlands in Christmas is another choice. Orlando wetlands is a walking trail but they have riding tours on Friday and Saturday.

👍👍👍

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

You can use the Florida Birding Trial guides as well. Gary http://floridabirdingtrail.com/

cullumjt Loc: Central Florida

Don’t miss the wonderful Orlando Wetlands Park. It is near Christmas, just outside of Orlando. Downtown Orlando offers the beautiful Lake Eola Park, as well, with many beautiful white swans, anhingas, etc., as well as the iconic fountain.

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

swartfort wrote:

I find that I will be in central Florida next week with a couple of days of "free time". Rather than visiting Mickey and/or other parks of that nature, I am wondering if any fellow wildlife photographers might share some spots where I can find nature preserves or wildlife areas where I can capture images. I won't have the gear to do my normal stalking, so proximity will be important.

Any help will be appreciated

tripadvisor.com

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

swartfort wrote:

I find that I will be in central Florida next week with a couple of days of "free time". Rather than visiting Mickey and/or other parks of that nature, I am wondering if any fellow wildlife photographers might share some spots where I can find nature preserves or wildlife areas where I can capture images. I won't have the gear to do my normal stalking, so proximity will be important.

Any help will be appreciated

tripadvisor.com

Chris

I agree with almost all that you were given. Gatorland is a great place for photography, too bad it wasn't in another month during the start of breeding season. Some of the bird nests are so close you can see the eggs