Labtrainer

Celery Fields in Sarasota is a great place to visit.

wham121736 Loc: Long Island, New York

The Venice sanctuary,located behind the police dept, is a small isolated pond and will not be affected by the red tide or any tide.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

I have been there a couple of times and will definitely go back when the opportunity arises. It's a very small island in a small pond in an unlikely setting, but the opportunity for great pictures is definitely present. Great egrets, blue herons and anhingas abound and the activity during mating season is constant.

wings42 Loc: San Diego, CA

Circle B Bar Ranch, Lakeland, was incredible last February...many species of birds and lots of gators. The birds by and large are used to people so you can get great closeup shots. The oddity for me was large flocks of both species of Whistling Ducks. There were big flocks of spoonbills and a huge list of other species. The trails are very walk-able and some are wheelchair friendly.

Beware of the gators. One is a giant about 25 feet long. It generally stays away from the trails. I photographed another one in a ditch along the trail. I thought it was about 10 feet or so long. I also thought that it's head was in the water, facing me about 5 feet from the trail. When I processed the photo it's head was actually out of the water almost at my feet. It was actually about 15 feet long. Good thing it was more sensible than me. An oddity was a small flock of black vultures on side of the road on the way home. They were feeding on the carcass of a racoon, probably a traffic casualty. They let me get about 10 feet from them without getting upset.

Our day at Circle B Bar was the highlight of our very rewarding vacation.

Snooks0544 Loc: Spencer,Ohio

We have gone to Tiger Tail Beach in Naples for Burrowing Owls. This place that we have gone to is in the middle of Florida, LAKE APOPKA they are open only on Fri, Sat, and Sundays and holidays. You can find information on Google to get there. It's awesome.

LoStrunzo

Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, South of Naples. Go very early and walk the trails.

judb

I second the recommendation for Mayakka River State Park west of Sarasota. This area is on the migration fly ways for many migratory birds numerous times throughout the year. Amazing variety and, as reported, lots of alligator picture opportunities. And the new section of the park has great rv campsites with full hookups and very clean, new restrooms. Great place.

wings42 Loc: San Diego, CA

Agree. We had the best birding and bird photography day in our lives at Circle B Bar preserve about ten years ago in February. The trails are all walkable, some are wheelchair friendly, and all offer many species of birds and animals. The preserve is popular so the birds and crocks are used to people and are not easily spooked. The preserve is next to a large lake so there are many water birds, including Eagles and Ospreys.

At one end of the main trail were big flocks of both species of Whistling Ducks, Roseate Spoonbills, White Ibises, and various species of herons and egrets. There were many other species all around the preserve including warblers, Cardinals, and other forest birds. As we were leaving I saw a Black Vulture across the road walking into the woods. I pulled over and saw about 8 Black Vultures feasting on a dead racoon, probably a road kill thrown there by the driver. They let me get within about 20 feet, shooting pictures all the while. A great end to a great day.

I would certainly return there anytime we revisit beautiful Florida. It's convenient to Tampa and Orlando and well worth the drive.