First trip to Desoto
I will be making my first trip to Fort Desoto next week and would like some info on where to go. I plan to get there by first light for some serious shooting and when can do some exploring later in the day. Any ideas on where to best spend that early morning shooting time
North Beach is great in the morning both the beach and the lagoon be prepared to wade in the lagoon to put the light at your back. Take your time and move slowly and you can get extremely close to the birds on my last trip I had Reddish Egrets work their way to within feet of me.
Don Lacy
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Scott, Same here, as my first trip last weekend, it was heavenly!!! My Dad, Don L. and myself, did just what he suggested... bring some binoculars as well... good way to get a jump on the species from afar!
Good Hunting!!
Don
I don't mean to scare you by this message but do the "stingray shuffle" when you wade into the water. Shuffle your feet as you are walking in the water to scare off any rays in the water..
Right on, perfect advisory.... this is always a concern, however the shuffle, really does min the risk. Being in medicine for all of these years, i can tell you, i'm seen the "other side" amazing trauma, and rapid onset of infection, if not supported properly. Regardless, of the above ... alert/shuffle is the ticket!
Don
Scott, and don't count out the late afternoons either. Sometimes you'll get luckier. I was there a few weeks ago and had the reddish egrets (red and the white morph) to myself for nearly 30+ minutes over calm shallow waters plus oystercatchers, godwits, and other shorebirds.
I got stung a few years ago--I got into position when it was still dark at the North Beach not all that far from the wooden bridge. I had been motionless for about 5 minutes when I felt an intense pain as the sun cleared the pine trees. My theory is that the ray woke up and saw my shadow and then just freaked.
Not something to kid around with...But it is also something that should not stop anyone from photographing in the water at Ft. DeSoto...
If you were to wear waders or some calf high boots, would the stingray's barb go through the boot, or would you be safe?
I may have to go to DeSoto in a couple weeks...I have never been either.
I usually go in a pair of crocks. Never had an issue. If you had a boot or thick wader you should be fine. But shuffling your feet is usually sufficient.Originally Posted by AJ Witt1
Agree that the shuffle is the key. What you don't want to do is take big, high steps thus stepping on the ray. Shuffling (barely lifting your feet from the ground) should spook them away from you 99% of the time. This also has the added benefit of being quieter while approaching birds. :)
Have a great time...may see you there!
Although mornings are usually considered best, we also did well in late afternoon a week ago.
On East Beach (afternoon) we had Wilson Plovers in breeding plumage and we got very close. Since they are small that really helps. Same thing with Least Terns. Got some great shots with one with a fish trying to entice a mate. Both species took baths in the ocean and got fun shots. The beach there is narrow and by staying in the grass althing the edge, the birds are pretty tolerant. Helps to be there mid week when there are fewer disruptions by people.
We got lucky and had an incredible experience with 16 avocets in breeding plumage at North Beach lagoon in the early evening. That was unusual and they only seemed to be there that day.
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The long billed curlew may still be around and that is a very interesting bird. It was seen in all the lagoons in North Beach. Also we saw Red Knots that were coming into breeding plumage along the gulf side North Beach in the morning.
We missed the white phase reddish egret but its been there lately.
Linda Martino
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