MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks, Larry. I was actuallya bit concerned about that. There have been changes in patterns up here in NJ, also.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thank you! This process is becoming overwhelming. I will check the link tonight.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Oh my! Lots more great very specific info. I’m printing this one out and will be noting these places on a map. We may need to plan to stay longer. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Much appreciated.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thank you. I really like the idea of seeing various rails. Once every few years someone spots a Virginia Rail up here and all hell breaks loose. Clappers are heard all the time, but they are really hard to spot and photograph.

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

The editor is his wife and his son is also involved. Family affair.

The Woodpecker

Hi MadMikeOne,

I am a birder and photographer living in Ormond Beach, Florida for thirty years now. I rarely leave the state. From my home I can be anywhere in the state except the Keys and the Panhandle in less than 5 hours, and there are really well maintained two-lane State highways and a huge State Park System.

Where do you live? I am from Haverford, Pa, and always summered in Ocean City. I found a 1927 photo of my grandmother, pregnant with my uncle, and my father at age 2, standing in front of an Ocean City Lifeboat. Awesome! Shriver's salt water taffy - nothing like it! Rides on the Flying Cloud Speedboat out of Chris's Restaurant. Wow! Have you ever been to Tony Mart's in Somers Point? I never spent much time in Cape May, if that is the southernmost location you are referring to, but did rent houses in Avalon and Stone Harbor in later years when my cousins and I were college aged. Lots of stories to tell - the halcyon Summer days of my youth!
Well. Enough chit-chat...

Do you know about what part of Florida you want to stay in? Florida straddles the Frost Line and two agricultural zones - 9 and 10. This "line" is generally considered to be around Cape Canaveral on the East Coast, and the flora and fauna vary considerably North and South of the "line." Cape Canaveral is an Audubon Sanctuary, and the rest of Canaveral is a coastal Federal Park - The Canaveral National Seashore (North and South sides) - and is fabulous for birding. You might even see some migratory species this time of year. In between Cape Canaveral and New Smyrna Beach to the North, find the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. The Black Point Drive (all one way) is very popular and has an observation tower. It is also just down the road from the beach (take what you need - no services or vendors). I identified and photographed 27 species of birds one day in the rain. Winter is kind of a crap-shoot here, daybreak through noon is best. Be prepared to see species that you might not be expecting. If you are really targeting specific birds, the best guide I have found is the ABA's - A Birder's Guide to Florida by Bill Pantry, which has maps and species specific locations (not an ID book). I have a spiral bound copy I found at an estate sale, but it is over $40 on Amazon new and about $12 used. Here is the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Birders-Guide-Florida-Birdfinding-Guides/dp/1878788043/ref=tmm_other_meta_binding_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1547085431&sr=8-1

Also, be prepared to photograph other wildlife, like insects, snakes, lizards, and alligators. Also, the manatees are in the Springs now - Blue Spring is the best and you can rent a canoe. Manatees, Gators, Snakes, Birds - it has it all. If you have two cameras, I would recommend carrying one with a macro lens and ring or macro flash (not for a canoe trip). And it is a good idea to have your most powerful flash on the camera for songbird shots under the tree canopy.

Have a great trip and let me know if you have any specifics.

Le Pic

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

First off, please allow me to welcome you to the “family”. Personally speaking, I am so happy that I stumbled upon this site a few years back. A great bunch of (usually!) very helpful and knowledgable folks. I’ve ckecked out other photography forums over the years and I ALWAYS come right back here.

That being said, when I started this tooic I had absolutely no idea where to go. After reading over all the replies and doing some research on the internet and in the local library, we’ve pretty much decided to do a week on the west coast (around Cape Coral) and one on the east coast (around Merritt Island). Although I’m learning lots about birding, I definitely do not consider myself a birder. I am a photographer who really loves shooting birds. My increasing knowledge about birds is a result of my interest in photographing them. The more I shoot them, the more I want to shoot different birds. When I’m at home there are agroup of us who shoot together. In our little group we have birders who crossed over into photography because of their interest in birding. Then there are those of us who started out as photographers of birds who are crossing over into birding. The group dynamics are pretty darn good. We all teach each other something and learn something along the way.

I appreciate your response and the new information you added. A bit more to add to the map. Alas, this trip we’ll probably only be away for about 3 weeks total. We figure about a week for the round trip driving and about a week in each of 2 locations. Somehow, I don’t think this will be our last trip down to Florida. However, neither my husband nor myself have any desire to live in the Sunshine State. Neither of us does well in heat and humidity.

Thank you again for your help.

The Woodpecker

Canaveral is also about the Northernmost area you will find Black Skimmers on the shore lines (sometimes as far north as New Smyrna Beach, but rarely. Skimmers are great photographic subjects, both still and in flight - skimming the shallows - so cool!
There is a lot of activity on the beaches. Great Blue (and White) Herons (daybreak), which allow you to get very close to them at the shoreline; Stilts, Rails, Ruddy Turnstones, and Killdeer. Osprey, Bald Eagles, American Kestrels, Red Tail Hawks (skittish), Red Shouldered Hawks (easier to get close to), Sharp-Shinned Hawks (spectacular fliers and hard to capture) and others of the raptor population, also make fantastic subjects, but are difficult to catch in flight. A wide variety of Terns - pay attention to flocks on the beach as they often contain several different species.

If you are travelling Northwest from there, the Paynes Prairie Reserve in Gainesville is awesome with tons of trails and at least one observation tower. Know your snakes! Be alert! I commonly encounter Pygmy Rattle Snakes, Eastern Diamond Back Rattlesnakes - the most deadly, Coral snakes, and Cottonmouths (Water Moccasins) at Payne's Prairie. Oh, and alligators. Don't take a small dog.

That's all for now.

Le Pic

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

More great info! Thanks again.

Oh, about the snakes - yup, I’m aware of the venemous ones you have down there. My dad was in the Civil Conservation Corps and was stationed in Alabama and Louisiana. When I was growing up, I remember all the stories he and his friends and my uncles told about the ‘gators and snakes they ran into. I am not afraid of snakes, but definitely have “respect” for the venemous ones. Note to self - read up on the snakes!!

Thanks again.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Quote
There is a lot of activity on the beaches. Great Blue (and White) Herons (daybreak), which allow you to get very close to them at the shoreline;

So true the one attached here was taken at St George Island in the panhandle. About 20 feet away

(Download)

btrlvngthruchem

I don't have time to read all the posts so apologies if what I mention has been said before. The best time to come down is right after Easter. By that time, most of the flock migrates back north so traffic is much more manageable. Additionally, costs of rentals will be lower and most important, the temperature and humidity won't have reached their really ugly levels.

Personally, we've done a kayaking trip through the Everglades and past a couple of rookeries on the trip with tons of birds and gators waiting for the little ones to fall in the water or stroll out on a branch close to the water. Unfortunate for the little ones but the reptiles have to eat, too.

Hope that helps.

Debbie.whiting

In May, the st Augustine Alligator Farm had a rookery that is open. Goes over a wide boardwalk, over water. So many birds nesting, almost close enough to touch. All the herons, stork, spoon bills, you name it. I suggest a call to them to find exact days. We went a few years ago. The birds are mating and nesting and it is just amazing. Smells bad. But amazjng.

The Woodpecker

Unrelated note: If you are in the Cape Canaveral area, the Nasa Tour at Kennedy Space Center is first rate! It is absolutely worth a day to do it.
Here is the site: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/info/tickets

You will not be disappointed!

Le Pic

The Woodpecker

There is so much -
Since you are driving here - Fort Clinch, the northernmost portion of Amelia Island in Jacksonville, is also fantastic! Here is the link:

https://www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I agree, cape coral or Ft Myers , then you can visit LOTS of places to shoot, plus about anhour from the everglades, Ding Darling preserve on Sanibel Island ( my home) and hubby can spnd the day on thebeach.