Posted by David Bostedo on October 17, 2007 at 11:42 PM
It looks like I'm going to be in Naples, FL for a couple of days the second week of November (Wednesday to Saturday). Preliminarily, I'd like to hit Ding Darling NWP, and take an Everglades tour (particularly on an airboat?). I have a few questions I was hoping someone here could help with.
-- Does anyone have any recommendations for tour companies for the Everglades? Airboats look neat, but are there other options?
-- What's photography like on one of the boats? Is a tripod worth taking?
-- I've read about Ding Darling NWP, but does anyone have any insider info? Trail to take? Walk or drive? Time of day? etc...
-- Any other places that might be worth visiting given such a short trip? Captiva Island?
Thanks for any advice or help you can give.
Posted by Mike Johnson on October 18, 2007 at 5:27 AM
I would go to Everglades City, for an airboat ride. There are a few vendors, here is one:
http://jungleervairboatworld.com/
The photography is difficult as you are on a small boat. I would bring a 70-200 or 100-400. One one of our trips we had a pelican land on the boat and sit for several minutes. So you can get shots like: http://www.pbase.com/mikeojohnson/image/38198629 or http://www.pbase.com/mikeojohnson/image/37984825
Ding Darling was slow last winter. I haven't been there this year. There is one big loop and you will see the photographers mostly at the big pond at mile marker 2, I believe.
Another close by suggestion would be Estero Lagoon near Ft. Myers beach. There has been some good action there recently.
Mike
Posted by Buck Ward on October 18, 2007 at 9:11 PM
I can't help you much with the air boat tour but Ding Darling NWR is my stomping grounds. Coincidentally, right now on TV there is a documentary about Ding Darling and the refuge that was named for him.
Ding Darling opens at 7:30. Right now that's just about sunrise. After the DST time change, the sun will rise about an hour before the gate opens. The gate closes about 1/2 hour before sunset, but if you're already inside, you don't have to leave. Admission is $5.00 per car per day. You can leave and come back. The refuge is closed to all access on Fridays. The wildlife drive is a paved one-way road. When you exit the refuge, you can circle back around and re-enter.
Sometimes there are large flocks of birds at Ding, sometimes not. It can be hard to predict. The managers have had the flap gates installed in the culverts at the first two ponds. This may have been for the run-up to Ding Darling Days, a festival that culminated this past weekend. They usually have the flap gates installed in November. This keeps the water level low in the impoundments and provides forage for migrating shorebirds. Whether there will be lots of birds on any particular day depends on the tide, the wind, the weather, and who knows what all.
I usually visit Ding in the morning. But it can be good in the afternoon too. The light is best on the left side of the road in the morning, the impoundment side, and best on the right side of the road, the bay side, in the afternoon.
This past weekend, there were hundreds of wading birds, feeding frenzies, mostly in shadow areas or too far away, but still there were plenty of opportunities to make terrific bird pictures.
I attached a panoramic crop of a 28mm shot made a couple of weeks ago.
Posted by Mia McPherson on October 21, 2007 at 2:26 PM
Big Cypress is exciting to explore, you might want to do that too.
Discussion
4 replies-- Does anyone have any recommendations for tour companies for the Everglades? Airboats look neat, but are there other options?
-- What's photography like on one of the boats? Is a tripod worth taking?
-- I've read about Ding Darling NWP, but does anyone have any insider info? Trail to take? Walk or drive? Time of day? etc...
-- Any other places that might be worth visiting given such a short trip? Captiva Island?
Thanks for any advice or help you can give.
http://jungleervairboatworld.com/
The photography is difficult as you are on a small boat. I would bring a 70-200 or 100-400. One one of our trips we had a pelican land on the boat and sit for several minutes. So you can get shots like: http://www.pbase.com/mikeojohnson/image/38198629 or http://www.pbase.com/mikeojohnson/image/37984825
Ding Darling was slow last winter. I haven't been there this year. There is one big loop and you will see the photographers mostly at the big pond at mile marker 2, I believe.
Another close by suggestion would be Estero Lagoon near Ft. Myers beach. There has been some good action there recently.
Mike
Ding Darling opens at 7:30. Right now that's just about sunrise. After the DST time change, the sun will rise about an hour before the gate opens. The gate closes about 1/2 hour before sunset, but if you're already inside, you don't have to leave. Admission is $5.00 per car per day. You can leave and come back. The refuge is closed to all access on Fridays. The wildlife drive is a paved one-way road. When you exit the refuge, you can circle back around and re-enter.
Sometimes there are large flocks of birds at Ding, sometimes not. It can be hard to predict. The managers have had the flap gates installed in the culverts at the first two ponds. This may have been for the run-up to Ding Darling Days, a festival that culminated this past weekend. They usually have the flap gates installed in November. This keeps the water level low in the impoundments and provides forage for migrating shorebirds. Whether there will be lots of birds on any particular day depends on the tide, the wind, the weather, and who knows what all.
I usually visit Ding in the morning. But it can be good in the afternoon too. The light is best on the left side of the road in the morning, the impoundment side, and best on the right side of the road, the bay side, in the afternoon.
This past weekend, there were hundreds of wading birds, feeding frenzies, mostly in shadow areas or too far away, but still there were plenty of opportunities to make terrific bird pictures.
I attached a panoramic crop of a 28mm shot made a couple of weeks ago.
http://www.corkscrew.audubon.org/
Go first-thing in the morning, you will not de disappointed. In Naples, it doesn't get any better.