Florida in December

[Sivaprasad]

Can't imagine of a better place to ask this question than here. I need some suggestions on where to visit in Florida in December for bird photography. I'll have about 7 to 8 days to shoot. Tried googling this information but most of them were not very helpful information. Any pointers on which places will be most productive during this month would be very very helpful.

I'm interested in all types of birds as I'm sure most of them if not all will be new to me, coming from Northern California. But specifically I would like to photograph Crested Carcara, Snail Kites, any other raptors, owls and also the wading birds that we don't normally see here in california.

If there are any must see places, I would like to hear that as well.. This would be my first birding trip to Florida.

Thanks,

Sivaprasad

[stuart wanuck]

wakodahatchee in delray beach great for blue herons

[Roger Clark]

Sivaprasad,

Where are you flying into and out of? That might influence where you go. I like the Venice rookery and Fort desoto can be pretty good (near Tampa).

Also keep an eye on the thread in the south east travel forum:
Florida birds in January
http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=50491

Roger

[Fabs Forns]

You can find Crested Caracara at Viera Wetlands, Melbourne (East Coast)
For Snail Kites, try Jim Neiger's boat out of Kissimmee.
http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/

Anhinga Tail, at Everglades National Park should have activity for waders and Flamingo, further South, has Osprey nesting already

Good luck!

[Grady Weed]

Rogers advice on "where you fly into and out of" is critical to consider. Florida has lots of good places. But too much driving to get to where you want will cut down on the shooting time. Plan carefully and you will get some of the best images of your life. Jest a quick note; I love Anhinga Trail in the Everglades. And Fort De Soto is killer. You cant go wrong in either place. You might want to plan to go out with Jimmy Neiger http://www.flightschoolphotography.com (http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/) and James Shadle http://www.inthefieldworkshops.com/ both. They know Florida like the back of their hand and will give you the most bang for your buck. Have fun!

[Sivaprasad]

Sivaprasad,

Where are you flying into and out of? That might influence where you go. I like the Venice rookery and Fort desoto can be pretty good (near Tampa).

Also keep an eye on the thread in the south east travel forum:
Florida birds in January
http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=50491

Roger


Fort desoto looks interesting. I haven't booked my tickets yet (yeah getting late I know), but that gives me time to decide on where I want to explore. I just don't want to miss the best spots. Given my preference of what I want to shoot, which areas would be better to explore (central,east or west coast). Also which airport should I fly-in to?

[Sivaprasad]

You can find Crested Caracara at Viera Wetlands, Melbourne (East Coast)
For Snail Kites, try Jim Neiger's boat out of Kissimmee.
http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/

Anhinga Tail, at Everglades National Park should have activity for waders and Flamingo, further South, has Osprey nesting already

Good luck!

Thanks Fabs. Good to know. I'll keep that in mind.

[Sivaprasad]

Rogers advice on "where you fly into and out of" is critical to consider. Florida has lots of good places. But too much driving to get to where you want will cut down on the shooting time. Plan carefully and you will get some of the best images of your life. Jest a quick note; I love Anhinga Trail in the Everglades. And Fort De Soto is killer. You cant go wrong in either place. You might want to plan to go out with Jimmy Neiger http://www.flightschoolphotography.com (http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/) and James Shadle http://www.inthefieldworkshops.com/ both. They know Florida like the back of their hand and will give you the most bang for your buck. Have fun!

You're right I don't want to spend too much time driving. What would be nearest airport to fly-in to Fort DeSoto ?

[Mike Tracy]

You're right I don't want to spend too much time driving. What would be nearest airport to fly-in to Fort DeSoto ?


Desoto is a short drive across the causeway from Tampa International.

[Roger Clark]

And then the Venice rookery is not far away either. But it may be cheaper to fly into Orlando. The drive is not too far from Tampa. No one has mentioned Corkscrew Swamp. (I haven't been there in Dec/Jan, so don't know how it is then.)

Sivaprasad, the Venice Rookery should be on your list. One of my favorites.

Roger

[Don Lacy]

You can fly into Orlando and hit Viera, Merrit Island on the East coast then try Joe Overstreet boat ramp for Snail Kites in the middle of the state ( you can take a morning tour with the airboat operator http://www.kissimmeeswamptours.com/airboat_rates.php at the Joe Overestreet Boat ramp he should be able to put you on them) I then would head over to Ft Desoto, Venice,Cape Coral, and Little Estero Lagoon on the West Coast. Another option would be to fly into West Palm or Ft Lauderdale and work the South East Coast all the way down to the Everglades hitting Wakodahatchee, Green Cay, Loxahatchhee, and the Everglades. If Carcara is high on your list then the first option is your only choice since both Viera and Joe Overtreet have them plus a good chance for Bald Eagles to. You also couldn't go wrong with booking a trip with James, Jim, or Jason Hahn.

[Sivaprasad]

And then the Venice rookery is not far away either. But it may be cheaper to fly into Orlando. The drive is not too far from Tampa. No one has mentioned Corkscrew Swamp. (I haven't been there in Dec/Jan, so don't know how it is then.)

Sivaprasad, the Venice Rookery should be on your list. One of my favorites.

Roger

Thanks Roger, Venice looks good. I'll have to try and squeeze that in my schedule..

[Sivaprasad]

You can fly into Orlando and hit Viera, Merrit Island on the East coast then try Joe Overstreet boat ramp for Snail Kites in the middle of the state ( you can take a morning tour with the airboat operator http://www.kissimmeeswamptours.com/airboat_rates.php at the Joe Overestreet Boat ramp he should be able to put you on them) I then would head over to Ft Desoto, Venice,Cape Coral, and Little Estero Lagoon on the West Coast. Another option would be to fly into West Palm or Ft Lauderdale and work the South East Coast all the way down to the Everglades hitting Wakodahatchee, Green Cay, Loxahatchhee, and the Everglades. If Carcara is high on your list then the first option is your only choice since both Viera and Joe Overtreet have them plus a good chance for Bald Eagles to. You also couldn't go wrong with booking a trip with James, Jim, or Jason Hahn.

This is great information. Thanks. I'll do some more research on these areas you mentioned. Those airboat tour does look very interesting. I'll have to check that out for sure. :)

[Sivaprasad]

Update - Just got back from my week long Florida trip.. I want to thank everyone for helping out with their suggestions. I flew into Orlando and did Canoe creek rd, Joe Overstreet, Merritt Island, Viera, Fort De Soto, and Ding Darling.. pretty much all the places that Don Lacy and others mentioned (thanks again!). It was a great trip and got all the species I set out for and more! Now plenty of pics to sort through.. :)

[Fabs Forns]

Looking forward to the pics!