Posted by Jerry Marella on December 1, 2016 at 1:35 PM
Well, we've finally decided to try a long stay in a warmer climate this winter. We'll be staying in the Tampa area for 7 weeks in January and February, and I'm hoping to find a few out of the way places that we can make day trips to, or longer if necessary. I'm sure we'll visit Ft. Desoto and a few of the other beach areas up and down the Gulf coast. I'm also hoping to run into a few Florida NPN'ers during the trip.
Any ideas that lend themselves to bird and other nature photos would be appreciated. If any of you are in the general Tampa area maybe we can meet at some point.
Posted by Bill Chambers on December 2, 2016 at 11:24 AM
I live in NW Florida so I really don't know that area very well at all, but I can suggest Circle B Bar Ranch in Lakeland; it's free and it's a beautiful area for wildlife. Also, Sanibel Island is wonderful for both landscapes and wildlife (Ding Darling NWR is there, plus Sanibel Beach is pretty). Both are close to the Tampa area.
Posted by Jerry Marella on December 2, 2016 at 1:24 PM
Thanks, Bill. I've never heard of Circle B Bar Ranch. I'll look that one up as well as Ding Darling. I appreciate the response.
Hi, Jerry - I have been going to Florida to visit my parents a couple times a year for 25 yrs. I know all the bird places pretty well, although they were on the SE Coast. Wow, I'm realizing just now those days are over, since stepmother (94) recently passed on and we now have father (96) close to us in California/Oregon. No reason to go back to Florida again, unless it is a stopover for a trip elsewhere.
https://www.alligatorfarm.com/ - (an easy couple hour's drive from the Tampa area, across the state) and plan time to visit the St Augustine Fort historical places there too. This would warrant a couple days at a local motel to see birds plus fort.
There are also lots of smaller bird refuges in the Ft Myers area that are all detailed on the "Bird Trail" guide above. Sorry, can't tell you much about the historical places!
Re Sanibel Island, it also would be good to spend a couple days there. We found the Sanibel Arms WEST condo rental place exceptional - far cheaper than any other local place, totally furnished, and new/clean and an amazing bargain (at least as of 2 yrs ago) Do Check with the refuge though, as the last couple years have seen a MAJOR decline in the number of birds at Sanibel in the spring.
Posted by Ed Williams on December 5, 2016 at 3:45 PM
Jerry you should try out Merritt Island some time. Blackpoint Drive is nice, spoonies, waterfowl, herons, kingfishers, alligators, etc., etc. the Manatee viewing platform, or better yet, the small boat ramp across on the other side of the channel from the Manatee viewing area was great in October. My wife and I were there for about an hour and saw 70-80 manatees (lost count) going down the channel. If you get bored with the wildlife you can go a few miles down to Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center. Been there in February, November and October, all good. If you're willing to go a ways, there is always the Everglades. Ocala/Silver Springs are nice tourist attractions not too far north and inland.
Posted by Jerry Marella on December 6, 2016 at 5:53 PM
Wow! Thanks everyone! All this should give me plenty to research and plan a few trips. I appreciate all the info, and maybe I'll be able to post a few photos while I'm there.
Almost forgot - if you want burrowing owls, go to Cape Coral, east of Sanibel about an hour. Go to the middle of the small town (or ask) and look for vacant lots with little crosses about 2 feet high - these are erected for the (very environmentally-protected) owls to land on, and are right where their burrows are. There are always some around, if you are patient. Early morning or late afternoon are best.
Sandy
Discussion
7 repliesAny ideas that lend themselves to bird and other nature photos would be appreciated. If any of you are in the general Tampa area maybe we can meet at some point.
Check these out for the West Coast:
thttp://floridabirdingtrail.com/ (The entire bird trailaround the whole state - look for individual refuges close to you)
https://www.alligatorfarm.com/ - (an easy couple hour's drive from the Tampa area, across the state) and plan time to visit the St Augustine Fort historical places there too. This would warrant a couple days at a local motel to see birds plus fort.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHKN4F3Ub6E
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/jn_ding_darling/
There are also lots of smaller bird refuges in the Ft Myers area that are all detailed on the "Bird Trail" guide above. Sorry, can't tell you much about the historical places!
Re Sanibel Island, it also would be good to spend a couple days there. We found the Sanibel Arms WEST condo rental place exceptional - far cheaper than any other local place, totally furnished, and new/clean and an amazing bargain (at least as of 2 yrs ago) Do Check with the refuge though, as the last couple years have seen a MAJOR decline in the number of birds at Sanibel in the spring.
Have a great time!
Sandy
Here is the Alligator Farm link: https://www.alligatorfarm.com/.
And here is a link to the Alligator Farm's wading bird rookery: https://www.alligatorfarm.com/wading-bird/.
And this link is to the rookery's blog schedule: http://www.alligatorfarm.com/rookery/2016/01/typical-rookery-schedule-2/
Thanks again!
Sandy