rplain1 Loc: Dayton, Oh.

Just for your info your senior pass is good at any national facility including wildlife refuges and national forest campgrounds. I even ran into a state park that honored it (in Idaho).

khumiston

Try the Merritt pump station in the Picayune Strand. It is part of the Corps Everglades restoration of wetlands, the recently re-flooded lands sometimes attract large flocks of wading birds, White Pelicans, Great Egrets, assorted herons, always many gators, an eagle nest nearby and I often see deer and hawks in the area. South end of Everglades BLVD, cross over I-75, at the entrance to Picayune turn left 2.9 (on Berson) mile just past canal (don't drive to dead end) turn right and park by dike. You can not drive on the dike but if you follow these directions you will be at a corner of a dike and it is an easy short walk, maybe 100 yards to the pump station. If you look on Google Earth you may find several pump stations but I think the Merritt station is the only one completed and in operation.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you khumiston, great idea!

fishgroder

Wakodahtche and Green caye are both great but that are on the East coast,Naples is on the west coast.It is about a 4 hour drive.Ding Darling is great

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Since you plan to go to Ft. Lauderdale, consider the opportunity to visit the Butterfly World in Coconut Creek!

2mdman

On my trip to southwest Florida, I put Corkscrew at the top for the day I went. Lots of egrets, heron, spoonbills, curlews, and alligators even catching them mating on video. Next would be Darling. The trip up to Sanibel and Captiva is well worth it. I was lucky enough to capture an osprey killing a snake. Last was Fakahatchee where I went out in a kayak. Lots of pelicans and herons. They were breeding on a few of the mangrove islands and I got lots of pictures of chicks. Pretty cool just going thru the mangroves as well.

cdemaree

Ding Darling & Corkscrew should be #1 & 2 on your list

2mdman

Yes, Corkscrew, Ding Darling, Fakahatchee.

terikson001

They are still having issues with red tide there. You should research before going to Naples..

treadwl Loc: South Florida

If they want a sunset photo they won't get a better shot than the beach at Lover's Key. There are several large dead trees on the beach that are ideal for sunset shots. Once in the park they have to ask for the access code so they can get out, but once they have a pass the rest is easy.

treadwl Loc: South Florida

If they want a sunset photo they won't get a better shot than the beach at Lover's Key. There are several large dead trees on the beach that are ideal for sunset shots. Once in the park they have to ask for the access code so they can get out, but once they have a pass the rest is easy. Bring bug spray for the sand fleas. (and for the other areas on the list you posted above)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Larry, I've been wondering about sunset opportunities. I'll add this to the list.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you everyone, this is the wealth of information I hoped for! Apologies for not individual replies to everyone, but the inputs have come in at an amount greater than my time to reply. Images / results not due until Dec or Jan '19.

khumiston

I too would put Corkscrew and Ding Darling at the top of the list and give yourself time to enjoy. Choices at Ding Darling include walking trails or a drive through. Driving enables you carry a big lens and tripod which can be useful with some of the broad bays that have distant shoals where birds feed and rest but you can't get close. I take a 600 when I go to Ding Darling although I had an otter cross the road and run nearly under my tripod (photo attached). Corkscrew has a boardwalk with a 3 mile loop although you can make it longer by exploring alternate routes and an observation tower. Some old people like me use wheeled luggage thingys loaded with camera gear. Important: Carry water. The Picayune Strand (picture 2) I mentioned in previous message is hit-or-miss; I have seen thousands of birds at one time including the largest gathering of white pelicans and wood storks I have ever seen, yet last time I was there sighting was limited to a purple gallinule, a little blue, plus a doe with her nearly grown fawn (picture). I live 3 miles from the Gulf and have not yet noticed effects of red tide but that too is hit or miss. Despite reports of heavy red tide and i know it is there, the fishing was great Labor Day weekend in Pine Island Sound behind Captiva Island and the snook (picture), caught in shallow water along the beach of Cayo Costa Island showed no sign of being affected by red tide, even though I caught her the day FL FWC banned keeping snook and reds to allow the fishery to recover from red tide losses. So far I've not been inconvenienced by red tide at all and I am a Coastal Engineer who both works and plays on the beach.

charlessl

I have not been to Florida in November, but I spent a lot of time in most of those sites in February and March. Ding Darling was, for me, by far the best for birds. Get there when the gate opens. Better yet, bicycle in before that gate opens if that is still allowed. Stay until about 9 and then return at about 4.