Posted by Jim Bradley on April 10, 2007 at 11:34 PM
Hi all,
I am planning to be in the St Petersburg area early May on business and was wondering if anyone has a suggestion or two for the best photography locations in or near that area. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim
Hope this reply is not too late. I just returned from a trip to FL and if you are into birds would suggest Fort DeSoto Park. Probably about a 20 minute drive from St. Pete.
The Laughing Gulls and Royal Terns are breeding this time of year. Easily approachable but after early morning on a weekend be prepared for the throngs of vistors. East Beach (left at flag pole) is good for sunrise and possible silhouettes in the morning if birds are about. Otherwise the North Beach (right at flag pole) area is good (park near shelters 6,7,8,9) as morning sun provides good front and side light. Afternoon is good at East Beach as you can stay in your car and shoot from the window with a beanbag and get nice shots of the shore birds. You can drive right up to the edge of the beach here. Near sunset your car and the low bank will be shading the birds so I headed back to North Beach to look for silhouettes and sunsets. I had a Spoonbill fly in late one evening at North Beach but needed flash by then. Also Red Egrets, Tri Colored and White Ibis worked the large tidal pool at North Beach as well as the surf on the backside.
Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet and wade out to the penniusla at North Beach ( or walk the long way around ). Deepest part I encountered was up to my thighs but mostly around my knees. Still watch what is in your pockets.
Also at the far end of North Beach (park up as far as you can drive) there are some mangroves and lagoon areas that are productive.
If you have some really long lenses ... 400mm-600mm there is an Osprey nest on the right as you enter the park a little ways from the white anchors. Also a Great Blue Heron nest can be found high on the left as you are driving out of the East Beach area just where the guard rail begins.
Discussion
3 repliesI am planning to be in the St Petersburg area early May on business and was wondering if anyone has a suggestion or two for the best photography locations in or near that area. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim
Sorry no one has responded. I don't know much about that area. Maybe someone from the Florida area can chime in.
Hope this reply is not too late. I just returned from a trip to FL and if you are into birds would suggest Fort DeSoto Park. Probably about a 20 minute drive from St. Pete.
The Laughing Gulls and Royal Terns are breeding this time of year. Easily approachable but after early morning on a weekend be prepared for the throngs of vistors. East Beach (left at flag pole) is good for sunrise and possible silhouettes in the morning if birds are about. Otherwise the North Beach (right at flag pole) area is good (park near shelters 6,7,8,9) as morning sun provides good front and side light. Afternoon is good at East Beach as you can stay in your car and shoot from the window with a beanbag and get nice shots of the shore birds. You can drive right up to the edge of the beach here. Near sunset your car and the low bank will be shading the birds so I headed back to North Beach to look for silhouettes and sunsets. I had a Spoonbill fly in late one evening at North Beach but needed flash by then. Also Red Egrets, Tri Colored and White Ibis worked the large tidal pool at North Beach as well as the surf on the backside.
Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet and wade out to the penniusla at North Beach ( or walk the long way around ). Deepest part I encountered was up to my thighs but mostly around my knees. Still watch what is in your pockets.
Also at the far end of North Beach (park up as far as you can drive) there are some mangroves and lagoon areas that are productive.
If you have some really long lenses ... 400mm-600mm there is an Osprey nest on the right as you enter the park a little ways from the white anchors. Also a Great Blue Heron nest can be found high on the left as you are driving out of the East Beach area just where the guard rail begins.