Birding in Florida in February

[JDArt]

Can anyone recommend some good birding (photography) hotspots in Florida in February?

[FocusingOnFlorida]

Where in Florida, it's a big state? In the Keys, I would recommend more of the central to northern keys. Not quite as touristy. In south Florida, the Everglades is a great spot for some great country and quite a few birds. Just north of the Everglades is Lake Okeechobee. Moving further towards Central Florida, there are a few wildlife management areas. (as I've stated before, watch out for hunting season) There's nothing like getting three miles into a 6 mile trail before you begin to hear gun shots. North of Central Florida is the Ocala National Forest regions, there are numerous natural springs that are wonderful birding areas. Just west of Ocala is the West Coast areas. There is a lot of undeveloped land in that area and quite a few of the natural springs and the Swanee River. Any furhter north and I am not as familiar. I was stationed in Jacksonville for about six years. North and west of there along the Georgia border is quite a bit of what use to be undeveloped land. I can't say what it looks like today. If you have a specific area you plan on visiting, I would be glad to try to assist you further.

[Jose]

There are many areas in Florida but Sanibel Island is my favorite. If you cannot get outstanding images of birds, you never will. The area is easily accessible, can be within feets of the car at anytime, and the birds are used to people. Wide open areas without trees in the way and great ops opportunities along the causeway. Roseated spoonbills are a treat!

[rnt]

What a nice catch.

rnt

[deluco]

Everglades: Royal Palm's Anhinga Trail; Mrazek Pond; Flamingo (bottom of the everglades)
Shark Valley: They don't open til 8am and close at 6pm but there are plenty of wading and fishing birds there
Miami Metro Zoo but using a tripod may be a problem so bring IS lenses if you have them.

[JDArt]

Yes, I was thinking SW Floriday, everglades region. Anhinga Trail was on my list of must-see places.

Originally Posted by FocusingOnFlorida

Where in Florida, it's a big state? In the Keys, I would recommend more of the central to northern keys. Not quite as touristy. In south Florida, the Everglades is a great spot for some great country and quite a few birds. Just north of the Everglades is Lake Okeechobee. Moving further towards Central Florida, there are a few wildlife management areas. (as I've stated before, watch out for hunting season) There's nothing like getting three miles into a 6 mile trail before you begin to hear gun shots. North of Central Florida is the Ocala National Forest regions, there are numerous natural springs that are wonderful birding areas. Just west of Ocala is the West Coast areas. There is a lot of undeveloped land in that area and quite a few of the natural springs and the Swanee River. Any furhter north and I am not as familiar. I was stationed in Jacksonville for about six years. North and west of there along the Georgia border is quite a bit of what use to be undeveloped land. I can't say what it looks like today. If you have a specific area you plan on visiting, I would be glad to try to assist you further.

[Chickenhawk]

I travel to Florida to golf fairly regularly and have found nearly every golf course to be a haven for wildlife, especially the ones with water on them, and that's virtually them all. I always take a camera and have never been disappointed, I have snapped cranes, alligators, pelicans, terrapins etc. I think that the wildlife on the courses are so used to humans that you can get really close without scaring them.

[danFL62]

This shot was captured this past May in the breeding marsh at Gatorland in Orlando.




If you are interested in taking pictures there, the following description is from the Gatorland web site.


"Shortly after its development, the Breeding Marsh became a haven for several different species of Florida's birds, such as Herons, Egrets, Cormorants, Anhingas, Ibis, and Storks. Protected by the alligators from their natural predators (such as raccoons, snakes, and bobcats), the birds began using the area as both a roosting and nesting site. With the addition of the Bird Rookery, visitors now have a unique opportunity to view the courtship, mating, nesting, and feeding behaviors of not only alligators, but also of wild birds in their native habitat.

Today, the Gatorland Breeding Marsh & Bird Rookery is one of the largest and most accessible Bird Rookeries in Florida. An oasis of nature in what is fast becoming suburban sprawl, the Gatorland Alligator Breeding Marsh and Bird Rookery was chosen in November 2000 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, as part of its Great Florida Birding Trail. Be sure to check out Gatorland's Gator Cam for a live view of the Breeding Marsh area!"

http://www.gatorland.com/virtualtour_4.php