Bird Photography: I was wondering if any UHH members have been to Merritt Island near Cape Kennedy in Florida for bird pictures. How does it compare to Gator Land which has a very...

cfhelz45 Loc: The Villages, Florida

I was wondering if any UHH members have been to Merritt Island near Cape Kennedy in Florida for bird pictures. How does it compare to Gator Land which has a very large rookery? Input would be appreciated.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Recent sightings at Merritt:
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island/eBirdTracker.aspx

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Completely different experiences. Merrit Idland (unless it's changed since I was last there) is very wild and unstructured, you can drive around it and not many visitors. Expect to see Eagles, Herons lots of Alligators and a few snakes. Gator land, on the other hand, is a classic Florida attraction - lots of gators, birds and tourists (depending on the time of year). It burned a few years ago and I haven't seen it since. Perhaps someone with more recent experience can comment.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

IMO, Gatorland is an exceptional opportunity for BIF's - a LOT of comings and goings to the nests. And all opportunities are relative close including nest sites. Early morning photographer's pass is worthy of serious consideration !

You will see a greater variety of birds at Merritt - but they will be further away and probably standing or sitting and you will probably be shooting from your vehicle. My opinion and experience.

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a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Black Point Drive: We were there today. Water was low and we saw very few. However it’s different every time. Allow several hours and drive slowly. Usually it is fantastic.

We also went to the National Seashore there and saw different birds.

Don’t compare. Do both. Often.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Merritt Island is hit or miss, but man, when you hit, you can really hit. However, the rookery is a guarantee whereas Merritt Island can sometimes be slow. As mentioned above, make time for both. :)

tscali

I was at Gatorland near Orlando yesterday. I go there every year in mid March. I've never seen anything like it. It continues to amaze me. If you want to practice birds in flight, this is the place. If you want to photograph birds mating, this is the place. If you want to see baby birds up close this is the place. The food there is reasonable and on Thursday - Saturday you can get in at 7:00 AM. If you are active/retired military it is free. FL residents I think is $15 and FL senior residents $13. I love photography and I have no financial or any other ties to Gatorland.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Steve Perry wrote:

Merritt Island is hit or miss, but man, when you hit, you can really hit. However, the rookery is a guarantee whereas Merritt Island can sometimes be slow. As mentioned above, make time for both. :)

agree, go to both and go to Orlando Wer Land as well near Christmas.

OllieFCR

Just back from Merritt Island. If you are a serious bird photographer it is a great place. Do Black Point Drive but also look for Scrub Jays on Scrub Ridge trail. Go to visitor center first and ask what is around. Active Great Horned Owl nest visible from road also. Go right around sunrise to see the most birds. I saw all the usual herons and egrets and variety of ducks. Green Herons, Bald Eagle, Sora, Roseate Spoonbills, Reddish Egret were some of the highlights. Do not just drive around quickly. Go slow and stop and walk or just stand for a while. There are also walking trails.

Geofw Loc: Thornton Cleveleys UK

cfhelz45 wrote:

I was wondering if any UHH members have been to Merritt Island near Cape Kennedy in Florida for bird pictures. How does it compare to Gator Land which has a very large rookery? Input would be appreciated.

I use this site to help me find out what birds have been seen in an area before visiting.
https://ebird.org/hotspots

I have never been to Gatorland before, but I am planning to go this Sunday with friends.
We are going early and plan on using the Photographers pass.

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

cfhelz45 wrote:

I was wondering if any UHH members have been to Merritt Island near Cape Kennedy in Florida for bird pictures. How does it compare to Gator Land which has a very large rookery? Input would be appreciated.

Merritt Island is a mixed bag. You can come and not see much, or you could come and see a lot. Depends. Merritt Island is also spread out, there is a lot of territory to cover. Their are other places that have larger concentration of birds in a lot smaller area.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

cfhelz45 wrote:

I was wondering if any UHH members have been to Merritt Island near Cape Kennedy in Florida for bird pictures. How does it compare to Gator Land which has a very large rookery? Input would be appreciated.

Check out John Gerlacher here on the site I think he's in Florida shooting these various places

rvhowdy

Check out the Viera Wetlands in Viera. I have seen a good selection of birds there recently. You can hike it or drive it.

Fotoserj Loc: St calixte Qc Ca

I was at gatorland 10 days ago, many on the nest a few new born a couple older one, will be better in a week or two

AR Farm Gal Loc: Piggott, AR (NE AR)

cfhelz45 wrote:

I was wondering if any UHH members have been to Merritt Island near Cape Kennedy in Florida for bird pictures. How does it compare to Gator Land which has a very large rookery? Input would be appreciated.

I was at Merritt Island 2 weeks ago in the late afternoon. I was disappointed that there were so very few birds there this year (got a great sunset picture there). I went there same date in 2017, and there were birds of every size, shape, color there. It was amazing. I am from north Arkansas (go to Melbourne every Feb for a gourd festival) and commented to a local lady about this. She mentioned what one of the other responders did - that it is hit and miss. I am wondering if things might have been different if I had been able to go there early morning. I also noticed that Merritt Island had much less water 2018 vs 2017.

I love Viera wetlands also, but I didn't get a chance to visit there this year.