Naps Loc: New Jersey USA

Hello,
I am looking at making a trip to Florida for some birding photography in January 2014. Can anyone suggest to me the best area to visit?
Thank you for your help,
Naps

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Probibly the Florida Keys...somebody who lives there will be able to pinpoint the best places.

Ol' Frank Loc: Orlando,

I think you can get great bird shots almost anywhere in Florida in January. Start at Merritt Island and work down to the Keys and back up the Gulf coast. The best place in Florida is in the Everglades. Watch out for the gators, otherwise a most wonderful place to visit for several days. You can't see it in just one or two.

Naps Loc: New Jersey USA

Thanks.
I think I'll have a week's time.
Not too fond of gators, thought.

slickrock Loc: jacksonville

Check with the local Audubon chapters. There are visiting varities all over Floriduh.

photoninja1 Loc: Tampa Florida

If you are going to pass through the Boca/Ft Lauderdale area, check out Green Cay, Wakodahatchee and Loxahatchee preserve areas. They are pregnant with birds and animals of many types, safe and within a few miles of each other. Google for map and directions.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

If you visit south Florida, Ding Darling nation wildlife refuge in Sanibel Florida, near Ft Myers and Naples. At low tide you will see any and all water birds this time of year. Spoonbills, white pelicans, All of the different herons, egrets and the list goes on. A road travels thru the middle of the salt marsh where the birds feed. Go at Low tide when the birds are feeding, at high tide no birds close as the water is to high to stand in or catch fish. I live in Florida and I visit this area as it's at the top of the list. Long pants and spray your self to protect from sand fleas, the smallest nastiest biting insect you'll ever find. Also some of the best sunset's and rises you'll ever find. Stay in Ft myers off the I-75 if the funds are tight, it's expensive to stay on Sanibel. Your also close to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary down towards Naples. Not lots of birds at Corkscrew but a boardwalk that takes your thru, pine forest, cypress swamp, Oak hammock and florida scrub. Gives you a close look at all the different eco systems, on an easy to walk board walk. Get there when they open and a guide will take you on a tour for Free and ask them where to photograph the Owls

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Want to meet fellow birders, who can make recommendations?

I invite you to view the new UHH Birds-In-Flight / Birds-On-Water Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-112-1.html

To place the BIF/BOW Forum on your UHH Home Page, you must go to http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/section_list.jsp , and "subscribe" to BIF/BOW Forum.

Stanley Fleming Loc: Maine/Florida

There are tons of birding locations in FL - no surprise. We have spent the last 2 winters in Titusville on the East coast near Cape Canaveral. This is the location for an annual Birding Festival - going on right now. Thousands of birders roaming the area as we speak. Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge is a major birding area and from what I understand a stopper for many migrating birds as well as the normal habitats for many full time birds. We are novice birders but have had a lot of fun photographing them - many are very easy to photograph because they allow you to get close and there are many places you can drive to for viewing. They have several wet lands created by the waste water treatment plants all over the county and they are open to the general public.

Florida also has what they call a Birding Trail - google it.

Titusville does seem to be the hot spot for birders from all over the world. Google the Birding Festival in Titusville FL and I am sure you will find it. If not let me know and I will look it up for you - i have their pamphlet somewhere around here.

Rbode Loc: Ft lauderdale, Fla

Try some of the sites listed below. Also, if the Everglades National Park is on your list of places to go, please stay up to date on the park news, right now certain areas are closed because birds are nesting. But visit the park anyway.

State info:
Andy Wraithmell
Information Specialist II
Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail
Wildlife Viewing Section
Office of Public Access and Wildlife Viewing Services
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
620 S. Meridian St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
(850) 488-9453
 
www.floridabirdingtrail.com
www.myfwc.com
www.myfwc.com/chinsegut
www.facebook.com/MyGFBT
www.onthetrailmyfwc.blogspot.com

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I would start with Merrit Island, next Viera, next Gatorland, next Wakodahatchee/Green Cay, next Everglades, next Venice Rookery/Ding Darling.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

P.S. Don't forget Circle B in Lakeland......

arlissd

Watch out also for the big snakes.

Naps Loc: New Jersey USA

Thanks to all for your detailed responses. I'm going to list them all. My trip will be scheduled around birding sites, so this is very helpful.
BTW, is the snake thing a joke? I hate snakes!

arlissd

No it is real. They are having snake hunts right now with a prize for the biggest snake. Goggle Florida for their snake problem.