Birding in Florida
Nov 14, 2013 09:27:09 #
Two places by birding friends told me about are Ding Darling Park and Merit Island. These people take fantastic bird pics. I've never been to either one. Good luck!
Nov 14, 2013 09:38:54 #
Canaveral National Seashore is an excellent place for birds and a world Heritage site near Merrit island
Lake Woodruff Wildlife Sanctuary will have a lot of raptors and woodstorks at that time of the year in Deland
Gatorland has a rookery and the Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets will be nesting you can get just a few feet away from them nesting on the South end of Orlando
The St Johns River is an excellent place at that time of the year my favorite tour is St Johns River Eco Tour in DeBary
Lake Woodruff Wildlife Sanctuary will have a lot of raptors and woodstorks at that time of the year in Deland
Gatorland has a rookery and the Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets will be nesting you can get just a few feet away from them nesting on the South end of Orlando
The St Johns River is an excellent place at that time of the year my favorite tour is St Johns River Eco Tour in DeBary
Gatorland
St Johns River
Lake Woodruff
Nov 14, 2013 11:09:19 #
I live in Central Fl. near Circle Bar B and agree with all of the Fl suggestions, depends whether you want shore birds or those found inland on lakes, swamps and such. Don't forget the insect repellent. I live on small lake and have amazing wildlife in my yard every day.
Nov 14, 2013 12:26:09 #
Check the distance on some of these suggestions as I am assuming you aren't going to do an overnight when visiting. Orlando to Lakeland or Orlando to Merritt Island/Cocoa area is very doable in a day and back. St. Augustine too for that matter. Circle B is supposed to be very nice, it is on my to do list. And no tolls on I95, but if you took the turnpike, that might have been just the toll amount. It isn't cheap to drive on it. Have fun, March should be great weather!
Nov 14, 2013 17:26:51 #
Nov 14, 2013 17:30:54 #
Good ole Lake Jessup! Do they still put all the gators with an attitude there! Another nice place for photos. There's an old bar that turned into sort of tourist place there in Winter Springs, is that still there do you know?
Nov 14, 2013 18:28:41 #
What a great time to come here.
We've enjoyed:
Gatorland - Orlando area, March is nesting season
Viera Wetlands - Melbourne area, about an hour or so from Orlando
Canaveral National Seashore - also Melbourne area
If you don't mind driving
Paynes Prairie - near Ocala/Gainesville
Alligator Farm - St. Augustine, also nesting season in March
Ft. Desoto - Tampa/ St. Petersburg area
Happy Shooting
We've enjoyed:
Gatorland - Orlando area, March is nesting season
Viera Wetlands - Melbourne area, about an hour or so from Orlando
Canaveral National Seashore - also Melbourne area
If you don't mind driving
Paynes Prairie - near Ocala/Gainesville
Alligator Farm - St. Augustine, also nesting season in March
Ft. Desoto - Tampa/ St. Petersburg area
Happy Shooting
Nov 14, 2013 19:11:25 #
Thanks for all the great suggestions. A week isn't going to be nearly enough!
Nov 14, 2013 19:23:29 #
Nov 14, 2013 19:30:24 #
The Rookery in Venice. It's revered as a top ten birding site. The cover photo of Arthur Morris' The Art of Bird Photography, The Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques was shot there. So was the cover of George Lepp's Beyond the Basics (Volume I).
You'll need a long lens to really get great results but this is a must place for any avian lover.
You'll need a long lens to really get great results but this is a must place for any avian lover.
Nov 14, 2013 20:05:38 #
The Venice rookery USED to be THE premiere spot in Fla. - have not been there in many years ( same with Ding Darling) - and I know it has changed - for better ? - or worse ?? I am a Florida birder, here is how I would rank them today - 1.Wakodahatchee in Boyton Beach. 2 Green Cay in Boyton Beach. 3.Shark Valley/Everglades in general. 4.Veira Wetlands Melbourne. 5.Black Point/Merrit Island 6.St Augustine Alligator farm / Gatorland south Orlando, 7. Circle B, Lakeland ....
Nov 14, 2013 21:05:04 #
Go to Royal Palm Visitor Center in the Everglades, west of Homestead. Great close opportunities for photos of birds and alligators, especially Anhingas nesting.
Nov 14, 2013 23:50:30 #
imagemeister wrote:
The Venice rookery USED to be THE premiere spot in Fla. - have not been there in many years ( same with Ding Darling) - and I know it has changed - for better ? - or worse ?? I am a Florida birder, here is how I would rank them today - 1.Wakodahatchee in Boyton Beach. 2 Green Cay in Boyton Beach. 3.Shark Valley/Everglades in general. 4.Veira Wetlands Melbourne. 5.Black Point/Merrit Island 6.St Augustine Alligator farm / Gatorland south Orlando, 7. Circle B, Lakeland ....
^^^You have GOT to get up this way Sept/Oct and check out the St. Marks NWR. Very active photo club and lots of challenges, not to mention several dozen migratory species in the fall and spring.
Nov 20, 2013 00:20:54 #
I live in South Florida where the winter months and early spring lets us enjoy visiting the Everglades. Here the birds are migrating by the thousands. The variety is endless, and opportunities to take the perfect picture can happen several times in a day. I have a new Nikon D5100 that I am planning on taking there this weekend.
Nov 20, 2013 00:23:42 #
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