Circle B-Bar Ranch is a great walk to see birds, turtles and gators.
Advice on 15 ft space between you and Alligators is good advice. I was standing a bit closer (didn’t see it, at first) while I photographed a bunch of his colleagues. After I noticed him/her I still felt I was safe; there was a picnic table nearby. My thought was if the ‘gator determined he was hungry I could run over and get up on that table - and, be safe. I kept shooting. It wasn’t until afterwards my buddy mentioned that ‘gators can really jump and that likely I would not have been safe on that table! Luckily for me, it was lazy and enjoying the sun. Not being interested in me or being hungry may have prevented one more meal being eaten on that picnic table.
That was in Alligator Alley. If you are near there you should go there. More of ‘em than you ever thought could exist. Often, seeming docile, don’t let them fool you. They can move frighteningly quickly and apparently can jump!
Have a great trip!
Dress extremely light......
Look up the Tiffany Museum. Also good restaurant diagonally across the street.
If you're brave enough, go to Wallaby Ranch and take a tandem hang glider flight. That ought to give you some photos you can brag about!
Photocraig wrote:
ST Augustine, the old Fort and more. The older Jacksonville neighborhoods. The Barrier Island south of St Augustine has some fantastic plant and flowers along an easy trail.
St. Augustine is an AMAZING photo opportunity - all over the place.
revhen wrote:
No advice to advise. Use your own eyes.
Thank you for pleasantly pointing that out. I hope he understands.
Advice-Advise
Lose-Loose
Just these 4 words misused constantly can drive a literate person to drink.
Dennis
Indylp wrote:
Headed to Florida for the Space X launch (Orlando area)
Other than Disney and Epcot center what are the must things to do and see in that area
any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Larry
About a 30-60 minute drive from Orlando is Winter Haven, home of Legoland(if you have kids) as well as Cypress Gardens which is the famous botanical gardens that is now a part of Legoland.
If you are going to St Augustine, go to the Alligator Farm and the Lighthouse park.
Indylp wrote:
Headed to Florida for the Space X launch (Orlando area)
Other than Disney and Epcot center what are the must things to do and see in that area
any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Larry
If you are up to it rent a pontoon boat on the St. Johns river. You’ll see birds and water based wildlife (certainly alligators and turtles, possibly manatee). You can have the day to yourselves for much less than two tickets to any attractions.
There are tour boats but they suck for photography.
This might be cheating a little bit but if you are short on time or have family along that need to do something while you are shooting your images, try Gatorland Land in Orlando. Yes, yes it's a tourist trap but they do have a large outdoor collection of alligators and birds. You might even have time to get a Photographers Pass which allows to enter the park early (7am) to get the good light, and less crowds:
https://www.gatorland.com/experiences/photographers-pass/
CWGordon wrote:
Advice on 15 ft space between you and Alligators is good advice. I was standing a bit closer (didn’t see it, at first) while I photographed a bunch of his colleagues. After I noticed him/her I still felt I was safe; there was a picnic table nearby. My thought was if the ‘gator determined he was hungry I could run over and get up on that table - and, be safe. I kept shooting. It wasn’t until afterwards my buddy mentioned that ‘gators can really jump and that likely I would not have been safe on that table! Luckily for me, it was lazy and enjoying the sun. Not being interested in me or being hungry may have prevented one more meal being eaten on that picnic table.
That was in Alligator Alley. If you are near there you should go there. More of ‘em than you ever thought could exist. Often, seeming docile, don’t let them fool you. They can move frighteningly quickly and apparently can jump!
Have a great trip!
Advice on 15 ft space between you and Alligators i... (
show quote)
I would say 15 feet in the winter. 30 feet in the summer. gators are a lot faster than folks think in the summer.
Thanks so much for all the responses...these are awesome !!
Larry
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