Posted by Josh Anderson on March 4, 2007 at 11:24 PM
My wife and I are thinking about taking a long weekend trip to Florida this week. Possibly Thursday-Sunday. Is this a good time of year to shoot birds. If so where is the best place? Ding Darling?
Even though its been a somewhat chilly late winter here in North Florida (low 30s last night), I was at an area park this weekend and noticed the Ospreys mating & building their nests. Many of the local "nature" photographers here go to the Alligator Farm in St Augustine. It has a walkway over a fresh-water pond teeming with gators; but all types of birds are found nesting in the overhanging trees. Their nests aren't bothered by racoons, etc.; just pried at by all the humans ;-)
I second the Alligator Farm as being a great place to photograph birds. Great for shorter lenses as well. You might want to sign up on Yahoo groups (birdrookery - I think is then name of the group) for updates on what is going on their currently. I just checked and here is a recent post from Amanda Whitaker , Bird and Mammal Curator, from March 5th :
"The rookery is just now starting (one nest). As the weeks go by, it will start getting busier. April is usually very active for great egrets and wood storks. In May, the smaller species have moved in: snowys, tri-coloreds, & cattles. Little blue herons used to nest in small numbers and not until June or so, but they have been steadily increasing and last year there were lots nesting by May. So, generally the rookery starts in March, peaks in May, and lasts until July but there are birds to see and photograph the entire season."
You can also purchase a photo pass here which grants you access to the park an hour earlier than it opens .. provided you are there on time as they only open the door once.
The Venice Rookery is also good but not sure of conditions or how far along it is with nesting birds. If you haven't found it already you might want to check out Arthur Morris site "birdsasart.com" and check under the trips he has scheduled. Art lives in Florida and his trips usually coincide with the best times to be at certain locales. This might give you a hint on what areas might be best for the dates you will be there. Also I think he sales a guide (pdf) on his website to Florida birding photo spots.I don't have it so can't comment on it.
I have had good luck at both Corkscrew Swamp, Naples, FL and at Anhinga Trail, Homestead, FL.
Both Eco Pond and Mrazek Pond are on the way and near Anhinga Trail but I think I have read that Eco Pond might be closed due to damage it received from the last hurricanes that struck the area. Not sure what fate Mrazek might have suffered.
Have a great trip.
Mike
Posted by Cindy Nowlin on March 8, 2007 at 6:35 PM
I agree with everyone, the alligator farm is a great place as is kissimmee gatorland. Another great place is Ft Desoto, near St Pete/Tampa area. Great for shorebirds and spring migrants. Merritt island Wildlife Refuge is wonderful in Titusville and Vierra Wetlands in Melbourne. I would choose the ones above over Ding Darling anyday. That use to be a wonderful place, but after the 2004 hurricanes everything kind of changed with the birding in FL. Hard to predict like it was in past years. You can pretty much get the same birds at MIWR as you can at Ding Darling and closer at times such as spoonbills and avocets.
Discussion
3 repliesThanks in advance.
I second the Alligator Farm as being a great place to photograph birds. Great for shorter lenses as well. You might want to sign up on Yahoo groups (birdrookery - I think is then name of the group) for updates on what is going on their currently. I just checked and here is a recent post from Amanda Whitaker , Bird and Mammal Curator, from March 5th :
"The rookery is just now starting (one nest). As the weeks go by, it will start getting busier. April is usually very active for great egrets and wood storks. In May, the smaller species have moved in: snowys, tri-coloreds, & cattles. Little blue herons used to nest in small numbers and not until June or so, but they have been steadily increasing and last year there were lots nesting by May. So, generally the rookery starts in March, peaks in May, and lasts until July but there are birds to see and photograph the entire season."
You can also purchase a photo pass here which grants you access to the park an hour earlier than it opens .. provided you are there on time as they only open the door once.
The Venice Rookery is also good but not sure of conditions or how far along it is with nesting birds. If you haven't found it already you might want to check out Arthur Morris site "birdsasart.com" and check under the trips he has scheduled. Art lives in Florida and his trips usually coincide with the best times to be at certain locales. This might give you a hint on what areas might be best for the dates you will be there. Also I think he sales a guide (pdf) on his website to Florida birding photo spots.I don't have it so can't comment on it.
I have had good luck at both Corkscrew Swamp, Naples, FL and at Anhinga Trail, Homestead, FL.
Both Eco Pond and Mrazek Pond are on the way and near Anhinga Trail but I think I have read that Eco Pond might be closed due to damage it received from the last hurricanes that struck the area. Not sure what fate Mrazek might have suffered.
Have a great trip.
Mike