Lens Repair

Once again this past week I found that I was in need of a doctor for one of my large lens. I was in South Florida photographing eagles and crested cara caras. Next day I`m at CRJ Repair Co. in Duluth Ga just off I-85. They fixed it while I was there! And by the way total cost, zilch, they said Merry Christmas! These people are highly skilled and very easy to work with and have been my repair shop for many years. Their phone, 888-226-6678 and fax, 770-449-7999 Once again I find myself a very happy camper! Robert Hice Jr.

Robert, glad to hear that there are still people like that around. By the way, where in South Florida did you go? I have been to Central Florida but I am looking to find a good spot for both eagles and cara caras in South Florida. Thanks for their contact info.

Filemon Lopez

Mr. Lopez, I was at Titusville on the East cost for a week and then went down to Vera and then on down to the Hopaw- Yehaw area. Yes those are real towns. I will be back in that area for a week as soon as I get the rain-deer poo off the roof. I know the location of both eagle and cara cara nest. I can also give you the exact location of a very large fire ant nest I was standing in while I photographed a cara cara fight a red shoulder hawk, OUCH!! How soon do you plan to go into that area? If you will wait until I return from my next trip I will be in a much better position to give you up to date info on the area. There is a very good spot for both eagle and cara cara in mid Florida. Go south on I-95 get off on exit #191, go up the ramp and turn right. In a mile or two you will enter a traffic circle, you will come in at six o'clock and exit at twelve o'clock. Keep going straight on into the new Vira Wetlands project. Stop and sign at the office and have fun. Where do you live?

I actually live in the Ft Lauderdale area so not too far. I'd appreciate an update after you return and thanks for the tip on the Vira Wetlands project.

Anybody will love their day at Vira, spelling? I am told that some guy gave the land to build a brand new city on what was a small part of his farm. I think the name of his farm is the Doda Ranch. Every last thing in the whole place is brand new including the state of the art wast management area. This is now known as the Vira Wetlands and for my money (its free) is the best birding spot in Fla right now. The masked duck is there, some cinnamon teal, eagles that love to pose for you, cara caras with their nest on the S/W corner of the place in a group of 3 cabbage palms (look for small piece of pink tape in bush on your side of the fence). There are some otters there that can put on a show at times, and if you look in the moo cow pasture on the out side of the fence you will see deer. The people that run the place are very nice. It is the birding hot spot for those of you that want to add to life list. You will run into many very knowledgible people there. And when you leave you can be at a table ordering dinner in ten minutes.