Yes! My parents are in Jacksonville, FL and had a baby osprey fall from their oak tree. (Yes, they phoned rehabers so the little guy was okay.) I recall an amazing environment that had ospreys filling the trees above alligator pools. It was a stunning sight. I think this was at Gatorland in Orange Park, Florida. I also saw a link for a photographer's pass along with these photos from there: https://www.flickr.com/groups/1030376@N21/
I looked up this TN tourism website, and it made me want to revisit. It's a really unique area, the lake having been formed by earthquakes in 1811-1812. We went the last week in June, and osprey chicks on the nests were just about to fledge.
http://reelfoottourism.com/reelfootlake/
Check out the EVENTS tab on the website. The Park Service has many different outings depending on the month. I didn't even know that lots of pelicans stopover there on their way from someplace to someplace else! Never can tell what you might see...
https://live.staticflickr.com/839/43217413422_3a9603c17c_o.jpgReelfootPontoon30Jun2018_434 by Marshall Smith, on Flickr
Marshall
You're very welcome. br br I looked up this TN to... (show quote)
I live right off the Indian River near Merritt Island. I can see the Osprey hanging out from my front yard. Was out at a Place called Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral and walked right up to one. About 10 feet from me sitting on a sign. If you catch them early in the morning they are hungry and you can get some great photos of them catching fish. Merritt Island is a great birding spot for all sorts of birds.
As previously stated, they are "As common as muck", a good old Yorkshire saying, in Florida. Try Alligator Alley, I75 across Southern Florida.there is almost one nest on every Power Pylon.
If you're on the west coast of Florida, go to Fort DeSoto just below St. Petersburg. Lots of different birds in addition to the ospreys. It has beaches throughout, places to picnic, you can see the famous Skyway Bridge, and on the weekends between 6 and 7 in the evening, you can watch as the huge cruise ships sail very near the coastline on their way out into the Gulf of Mexico. Great place, you'll love it. Also, I second the motion on Cedar Key, just about 3 or 4 hours north from Fort DeSoto on the west coast. Great seaside town with lots of photographic opportunities besides the ospreys. There is also a restaurant there called Tony's that is renowned for its award-winning clam chowder. Make sure you make Cedar Key as one of your stops.
If you're on the west coast of Florida, go to Fort... (show quote)
As others have said, they're all over the place. I particularly like the bridges between the Keys, because you're often as high or higher than the nests. That makes for a great angle of shooting level or even down at times.
Good viewing can be had along US 1 between Malabar Rd in Malabar and the bridge over the Sebastian River where you cross from Brevard into Indian River count. The power company has installed many osprey nesting platforms. I often see them feeding fish to their young. Nesting season here is generally December through February. The osprey are resident and can be seen year-round.
I know you asked about Florida, but if you're not totally committed to there you might consider Reelfoot Lake in NW Tennessee.
All kinds of birds, including many ospreys and eagles, herons and egrets. The pontoon boats and private john boats get so close to nesting ospreys that is is almost being birding unethical. But the birds are used to it, and go about their business.
And it is closer to Indiana than Florida, too. lol
Check out bluebankresort.com. That is where we stayed.
https://live.staticflickr.com/913/42362838205_490bf6dca7_o.jpgReelfootJohnboat01Jul2018_040 by Marshall Smith, on Flickr
Here is the link if you are interested in more pics:
I know you asked about Florida, but if you're not ... (show quote)
Thank you very much Marshall! Yes, it is even closer to Indiana. I may be drive there. Is winter like December to February good time to visit? Or is there other time good? Your info is really helpful! Thanks again!
Got back to the lake for some Osprey action. I promised myself not to miss the nesting season this year. I purchased the D850 about 6 months ago and other than running it past the owls in flight I've never really ran it through the a full blown work out. I did take it to Costa Rica and it was sort of a mistake. I got some great photos, but I had to many misses. Low light, tight quarters and other obstacles to say the least. Trying to learn a new camera while on vacation is a no brainer, Don't Do It...... What I quickly learned is the difference in the custom setting modes. You cannot set this camera up like I had the D600, or D7200. A totally different beast. That said, I went out the last two Saturdays and am happy to say I have worked My Bugs out, not the camera's. 90% of the time when a camera fails, it's normally User Related.. Here are a few of the keepers....
Got back to the lake for some Osprey action. I pro... (show quote)
These are great photos! Thank you again for providing location info!
Hands down the best place in Florida is Blue Cypress Lake during the nesting season. This time of year only about 25 resident Osprey occupy the lake. A new operator of the marina took over earlier this year. No more tent camping and they did away with the boat rentals. The new operator of the marina is only there part time. You need to bring your own boat. During nesting season you can easily take a canoe along the West Bank to photograph the osprey. Like many lakes in Florida it is shallow so very dangerous when the winds pick up. If you're going to cross the lake you need a boat, canoe and kayak not recommended. The Osprey are only 12 to 25 feet above you heads as you paddle around. In the off season the resident osprey are scattered around the lake. https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-596823-1.html Yes, Mark Smith did do a video on this lake. Now this time of year the population of Snail Kites hit an all time high. These can be found around the rim canals of Lake Okeechobee. Very hard to find bird, but easily found and photographed here in the winter.
Hands down the best place in Florida is Blue Cypre... (show quote)