Everglades?

[Alfredo Fernández]

Hey,
im going on a family trip to orlando/miami.
ive convinced my dad to give at least 1 day of birding/photography.
Which is the best spot to bird near (or in) the everglades NP?
and do you recommend a airboat trip? if so, which one?
My targets would be Snail Kite, Osprey, Swallow tailed kite, spoonbill.
do you think a D300s + 300mm F4 + TC14eII would be enough for florida birds?
i would be there around mid-february
looking forward to your answers.
Thank you very much.
Cheers from Peru,
alfredo

[susanschermer]

If you are looking for a spot near Orlando, I recommend a boat trip with Jim Neiger out on Lake Topokeekalega or with James Shadle from Brandon (near Tampa). Both trips will provide opportunites not easily available to wandering around the Everglades without knowledge of where the action is. An airboat trip is usually not productive.

If you are looking for an easy spot to take many species from a boardwalk over a wetland, there is Wakodahatchee Wetlands, an artificially created wetland next to the water treatment plant in Delray Beach (about 40 miles N of Miami). Easy and close nesting blue herons, egrets, anhingas cormies, etc.

If you are looking for Spoonbills, the West coast is better. James Shadle's trip is loaded with spoonbill
images.

[Alfredo Fernández]

Thanks for the idea Susan,
but as im a 17 years old teenager i dont have the amount of money to spend in such a trip.
i would love to, but i cant.
its been hard enough to convince my dad to go on a day trip to the everglades.
i was thinking about a tour with www.evergladesareatours.com and maybe the anhinga trail?
where is a good place to see Ospreys up close?
thank you very much,
Alfredo

[Marina Scarr]

You would love the Anhinga Trail. Make sure to get there nice and early. You will see many cormorants and anhingas, as well as other birds, and the cormorants will probably be in breeding plumage. If you ask while you are there, I believe there is a place in the Everglades where you can see a # of osprey up close. I am not too familiar with Everglades, but it may be on Flamingo Trail. I think the will be more than willing to help you at the park.

Enjoy your trip. You will love Gatorland!