Florida Birding Trip - Suggestions

[kenevenpar]

Earlier this year was my first bird specific trip to Florida, hitting Naples, Sanibel, Fort Myers and a couple of Everglades locations.  It was so successful(at least 20 species that I have never been able to photograph) that I am heading back in mid December, and am looking for suggestions.

 

I only have six days , and have the following as tentative:

 

2 Days Sarasota area - Celery Fields a definate

 

2 Days Fort Myers area - Sanibel and Captiva will consume 1 day

 

2 Days Orlando area - Lake Apopka with a friend from the area is a definite.  I'm thinking Merritt Island, which would lead to a longer drive back to Tampa for my flight home

 

Any suggestions for those areas?

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited November 12, 2018 by kenevenpar

[Oviedo32765]

My mind is jumping all over the place because there are so many good places to visit for birding photography.  But my first thought was catandturtle.  A great site for photos, inspiration, and locations.  I highly recommend you visit catandturtle's website. https://www.blog.catandturtle.net/home/   
She is a "software geek by day, nature photographer by weekend."  A great nature photographer in my book.

 

Best of all, her site has a page for photo locations in Central Florida https://www.blog.catandturtle.net/central-florida-bird-photography-locations/ 

 

In Orlando, you might want to visit the Orlando Wetlands Park at 25155 Wheeler Rd, Christmas, FL 32709
  http://www.cityoforlando.net/wetlands/ 

Be prepared to hike because cars are not allowed although horses and bikes are.  Bring water, snacks, bug spray, sunscreen and a hat.

 

Merrit Island - 
Just to the north is Canaveral National Seashore.  If you go there, I'd recommend stopping at the visitor center  (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island/Visitor_Information_center.html.aspx ) to pick up a map and ask the rangers about the best places for birding photography.  The best places change throughout the year and they seem to be on top of the best locations. 

 

Some places they may suggest:
1.  Blackpoint Wildlife Drive - https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island/Black_Point_Wildlife_Drive.aspx
2.  Biolab Road
3.  Scrub Jay Trail

 

To the south is Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands (AKA Viera Wetlands) 3658 Charlie Corbeil Way Viera, FL
https://www.brevardfl.gov/NaturalResources/EnvironmentalResources/VieraWetlands 
Cars are usually permitted.  These wetlands are smaller than the Orlando wetlands but I find the birds are used to people  so you can get closer to them.

 

Here are links to my photos at 

Orlando Wetlands - https://oviedophotoclub.zenfolio.com/f175750079 
Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera - https://oviedophotoclub.zenfolio.com/f51774851

[zackiedawg]

I hesitated to comment only because you didn't specify that you would be birding through my area in SE Florida.  But if by chance you decide to, or wanted to consider it, then two of the best spots in Florida sit down here, in Wakodahatchee Wetlands which is a seriously busy rookery spot for wading birds, and Green Cay Wetlands, strong on migrating and wintering species.  Both are within a mile of each other, free to access, and pretty crowded in winter.  Nearby to these spots, you can throw in 2 other very good spots within a 10 mile drive, with Peaceful Waters and Arthur Marshall Wildlife Refuge.  Proximity to birds is a strong suit to S.E. Florida spots - when I say close, I mean touch-them-close.  You can stand within 1 foot of a nest full of chicks and they will completely ignore your presence.

Gallery links for Green Cay & Wakodahatchee:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/wakodahatchee_wetlands

Arthur Marshall, Peaceful Waters, and Wellington Wetlands:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/florida_everglades

[kenevenpar]

Thanks Justin!  I'm flexible enough that I can change my itinerary, and since I'm leaving my DW at home, I can even move from one location to another.  I have done a few SE wetlands, a bit further north, and at your suggestion a few years ago, in the Miami the morning of a cruise.  I will definitely consider the locations mentioned.

 

For Wakodahtchee and Green Cay - Morning best, or is a few hours before sunset as good?

 

Ken

[zackiedawg]

Both mornings and late day are very good in both spots - by December, Wakodahatchee will really be filling up with nests so it's good all day long, even right in the middle of the day.  Green Cay is probably the best morning spot overall - and is best in morning, but still very good later in the day.  Wakodahatchee is very strong as sunset nears, not just for the nesting activity but for BIF shooting as thousands of birds head back there for the night.  If you get lucky and get some cold fronts up north in the week before you come, it gets even busier at these wetlands as some species push further south than normal and we can get some very nice rarities (for us!).  I usually start out at Green Cay, shoot there for 3-4 hours, then move to Wakodahatchee by 3pm and close out to sunset over there.

[kenevenpar]

Thanks Again!  I was right down the road in January at Loxahatchee.  Not bad, not great.  Some nice hawks and Gallinules.  I used to have a condo in West Palm in the early 00's, but was not into bird photography at the time.

 

I like that ride over from the west coast, so I may just come east for a day or two.

[kenevenpar]

5 hours ago, Oviedo32765 said:

Here are links to my photos at 

Orlando Wetlands - https://oviedophotoclub.zenfolio.com/f175750079 
Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera - https://oviedophotoclub.zenfolio.com/f51774851

 

Beautiful pictures, and thanks for the ideas!  Probably more spots than I have time for, which of course will require another trip!  Your suggestions are very helpful and I greatly appreciate the time you took to write them up!

 

Thanks,

 

Ken

[dreadpirate3]

I would also like to suggest when you visit the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive that you take a bit of time to go to Clay Island. It's worth the hike, and I've seen the Groove Billed Ani there a few times, as well as eagles and other raptors.

 

https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/lake-apopka/

[zackiedawg]

Just to add a little info - Wakodahatchee Wetlands has definitely started to get into the rookery/nesting season...it's especially amazing now at the end of the afternoon when the place is seriously filling up.  And the wood storks aren't even here yet.  It's probably the most amazing bird-in-flight spot in Florida this time of year...like a shooting gallery.

 

 

 

 

 

You may note in the EXIF that most focal lengths are LESS THAN 200mm.  There are hundreds of birds there by 5pm, with at least 15 species in the air.

[scubacruiserx2]

Another vote for Wakodahatchee . And the posted hours correspond to current Sunrise and Sunset

 

 

The sun was just coming up when I took this backlit video clip

 

 

 

A male Anhinga in the mating mode 

 

 

And swimming

 

 

A Wood Stork checking the eggs

 

 

A question of balance

 

 

A Yellow Crested Night Heron

 

 

Edited November 30, 2018 by scubacruiserx2

[scubacruiserx2]

The Anhinga and the Roseate Spoonbill are featured on the state quarter 

 

 

 

Sometimes the air space can get congested

 

 

 

Wakohatchee , the Osprey has landed

 

 

 

 

Edited November 30, 2018 by scubacruiserx2

[kenevenpar]

Thanks again all!

 

I have adjusted my schedule to include Green Cay & Wakadahatchee.  What's an extra couple of hundred miles on the rental car?

[zackiedawg]

What days are you going to be there?  I'd be happy to meet up if it falls on a weekend, but unfortunately those are the only days I can shoot...so if you're here on a weekday, I won't be able to.

[kenevenpar]

13 minutes ago, zackiedawg said:

What days are you going to be there?  I'd be happy to meet up if it falls on a weekend, but unfortunately those are the only days I can shoot...so if you're here on a weekday, I won't be able to.

 

12/15 - Saturday .  I would enjoy that!

[zackiedawg]

I think I'll probably be planning to be out there that day.  I won't be staying late as I have an office Xmas party that night, but probably plan on shooting around noon to about 4pm, starting at Green Cay and then over to Wako to wrap.  Shoot me a PM or post here when you're coming, or e-mail me at sflavwaudigtg at aol dot com, a few days before, and if you want, shoot me your phone number in the e-mail and I can text you when I'm headed out there to see where you are.

[kenevenpar]

Sounds good Justin!  I'll be there at sunrise and between the two, I'll be out most of the day.  I'll shoot you my contact info.

 

Ken

[dreadpirate3]

From Lake Apopka yesterday.