Florida bird photography questions

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Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark) - 19 Feb 2006 20:21 GMT

All,
How are bird photography conditions in Florida now and
over the next month? I'm think of going there sometime
soon as I haven't been in over a year. Also, I've not
photographed birds in Florida in March. I have usually
gone before this time.

Has anyone been to the Venice Rookery lately? (It's
one of my favorite spots.) If so, how is it?

How is Ding Darling now? Has it recovered from the
hurricanes (bird wise)?

Corkscrew swamp?

I'll probably not get to the everglades area this trip,
but stay on the Tampa side.

Any advice or info on conditions/new hot spots would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Roger
http://www.clarkvision.com

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PWW - 21 Feb 2006 15:01 GMT

Roger

As always I heartily recommend, My Favorite, The Rookery at the Saint
Augustine Alligator Farm (SAAF), As of today, it still is a little early for
them. I just read in the Email Group (on 2-16-06) that the first Great
Egrets are just starting to nest, three of them. Wood Storks and other birds
are coming in now also. So in a couple of weeks things should get much
better there.

To subscribe to birdrookery groups, send a blank email to:
<birdrookery-subscribe@yahoogroups.com>
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/birdrookery/>
http://www.alligatorfarm.us/
About 3.5 to 4 hours from Tampa

If you don't feel like joining the SAAF Rookery Group I am sure you could
email the SAAF or call them and ask about their present Rookery Conditions.
They actively promote Photography at the Rookery there. And are photographer
friendly. If you plan on shooting more than one day you can even purchase a
Photo Pass, that allows you to get in early and leave late, if conditions
are right.

----
Then I heard that the Rookery at Gatorland, in Orlando, is already close to
peak action. The birds seem to nest earlier there.
http://www.gatorland.com/
About 2 hours from Tampa

Actually I was going to Gatorland last week but something came up. Argggg! I
am going to try and go again this next week.

----
As to Venice and the others, I can't say, haven't been there for a while.

I did get to the Everglades in January, well some of it at least, it was
pretty badly damaged during the very last hurricane that hit Florida. Much
of the Everglades NP past Anhinga Trail is Closed (including all of
Flamingo) due to extensive damage.

Anhinga really was a disappointment to me anyway. I guess I am used to the
easy places now-a-days. Lol.

Paul Wilson
PhotoStockFile

On 2/19/06 3:21 PM, in article 43F8D333.7010404@qwest.net, "Roger N. Clark
(change username to rnclark)" <username@qwest.net> wrote:

> All,
> How are bird photography conditions in Florida now and
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> Roger
> http://www.clarkvision.com

Reply to this Message

Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark) - 25 Feb 2006 18:48 GMT

> Roger
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> are coming in now also. So in a couple of weeks things should get much
> better there.

Paul,
Thanks for the info. the SAAF has been on my list to visit for a while,
but my understanding, and by your indication, it peaks later.
Isn't peak April/May?

> To subscribe to birdrookery groups, send a blank email to:
> <birdrookery-subscribe@yahoogroups.com>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Actually I was going to Gatorland last week but something came up. Argggg! I
> am going to try and go again this next week.

Interesting. I have not been there either. It looks awfully touristy!
The entrance time of 9 am is a drawback. Can photographers
get in earlier? Where is the rookery?

I may also go to Fort de Soto. I've been several times and it
can be quite interesting for birds.

I'll probably also check out Lettuce Lakes north of Tampa

Roger

> ----
> As to Venice and the others, I can't say, haven't been there for a while.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Paul Wilson
> PhotoStockFile

Reply to this Message

PWW - 26 Feb 2006 15:57 GMT

On 2/25/06 1:48 PM, in article 4400A687.8070200@qwest.net, "Roger N. Clark
(change username to rnclark)" <username@qwest.net> wrote:

>> Roger
>>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> but my understanding, and by your indication, it peaks later.
> Isn't peak April/May?

Well, yes it might peak in April and May but the peak isn't the only time to
go. Actually in the "peak time" there might be less of a chance for the
green lores of great egrets, and the pink legs of Wood Storks in prime
breeding condition. Once they mate and nest these colors fade pretty quick.

In fact many of the Wood Storks and Great Egret Pictures I put the last time
were taken in the middle of March at the SAAF.

In the Rookery Group, there is a message dated 3-26-06 indicating there is
more and more Great Egrets that are really starting to come in and nest. The
person who posted the message is the Bird & Mammal Curator at SAAF, and she
states the "The number of egret nests
should almost double daily for the next few weeks." Whew, Double Daily!!!

That means a lot of new Egret Nests. And lots of nest building and Green
Lores! And maybe even fighting for the best nesting spots, ooh action I love
it.

>> To subscribe to birdrookery groups, send a blank email to:
>> <birdrookery-subscribe@yahoogroups.com>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
> Roger

Actually I was at Gatorland amost three years ago, during late April. I
think I was there past its prime time. I did get some images of cattle
Egrets though;
<http://www.alamy.com/lbx.asp?149668 ( Gatorland Shots )>
Gatorland was never (at least 3 years ago) as nice as SAAF but I did get
Cattle Egrets there and I think I was too late for Gatorland.

Also just checking my Bird Shot Dates of years past (boy I love Digital) and
I found Sand Key Park in Clearwater, FL usually has Black Skimmers in
abundance during early March.
http://www.alamy.com/lbx.asp?149669 ( Black Skimmers Sand Key Park )
There is a small retention Pond on the south side of the park. Black
Skimmers nest on Sand Key or close by. All the young birds learn to skim for
food in that little pond. Skimming back and forth for hours. As you can see
by the images, that it is not a skill that is easily learned by these young
birds. Many go into submarine mode while learning.

Here is the map for Sand Key in Clearwater.
http://tinyurl.com/ejf4c

Paul Wilson
PhotoStockFile

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Kent Clarke - 22 Feb 2006 05:51 GMT

In article <43F8D333.7010404@qwest.net>,
"Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark)" <username@qwest.net>
wrote:

> All,
> How are bird photography conditions in Florida now and
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> How is Ding Darling now? Has it recovered from the
> hurricanes (bird wise)?

Visited the area over Christmas--We didn't get into the Park, but in
general the vegetation on Sanibel was pretty beat up, making for ugly
backgrounds. Didn't see a lot of birdlife, mostly Egrets, Herons and
Ospreys. The Park website says they are having an algae problem from
pollution, so lots of green slime in the water. Might be an interesting
ecological story in it.

> Corkscrew swamp?
>
> I'll probably not get to the everglades area this trip,
> but stay on the Tampa side.
>
> Any advice or info on conditions/new hot spots would be appreciated.

Inland was less damaged. Have you done Hammock State Park near Sebring?

Mosquitos will be starting soon.

Reply to this Message

Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark) - 25 Feb 2006 19:08 GMT

> Have you done Hammock State Park near Sebring?

HIGHLANDS HAMMOCK STATE PARK?

No I have not been there, and I'm having trouble googling
info about the park and how good the birding is.
Do you have more info?

> Mosquitos will be starting soon.

Bummer!

Thanks for the info.

Roger

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Kent Clarke - 28 Feb 2006 05:13 GMT

In article <4400AB46.6070307@qwest.net>,
"Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark)" <username@qwest.net>
wrote:

> > Have you done Hammock State Park near Sebring?
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Thanks for the info.

Roger,

Try http://www.floridastateparks.org/highlandshammock/default.cfm

There are a few photos showing the type of forest, and a bird list.

It's not a spectacular park, but is relatively old so has reasonably
mature swamp forest and the associated fauna and flora. If you are in
central Florida already it's worth a trip, partly because the boardwalks
and trails make for easy going with camera gear, and you can camp there
or stay in one of the innumerable nearby motels along HWY 27. So much of
Florida is pasture, palmetto scrub, or housing sprawl, it's rare to see
what the native forest really looks like. As in all state/national
parks, the Interpretive Staff know where all the good stuff is, so
contacting them beforehand or during your visit may really pay off.

Reply to this Message

Mr. Mitchell - 27 Feb 2006 21:13 GMT

Roger,

I can only speak for the Central East coast and the coming months
(Mar-May) are all prime birding times. While April-May is when the
majority of birders come for peak season, you can get great pictures as
early as March and beat the crowds. Here are links to a couple of
Yearly Events held on the Central East Coast, and they are only about
two- three hours (with traffic) from the Tampa area.

http://www.visitoldcity.com/birding_nature/
http://www.floridabirdingtrail.com/
http://www.nbbd.com/fly/index.html
http://spacecoastbirding.com/

This is the dry season of the year, so you don't have to worry about
the daily subtropical showers we get during the summer, and as stated
by Paul Wilson earlier the number of birds building nests really takes
off in March.

Hope these links help!

Regards,

-Mitch

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Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark) - 09 Mar 2006 03:18 GMT

Paul, Mitch, Kent,

Thanks for your responses. I got back from Florida last night.

I had great trip. The weather was great (spectacular in fact--
low humidity, temps in the low 70s F). I had to wear a coat
in the mornings, and one afternoon, but that was fine, as it
kept the sun off, and only a light coat was needed.

I went to Fort de Soto (not much there--some skimmers
sitting on the beach and a few birds at the fishing
pier, and the usual laughing gulls), Honeymoon
Island (couple of gulls--I took no pictures), Lettuce
Lakes (pretty park, a fair variety if birds, but most
too distant), and Venice rookery. If Venice wasn't
spectacular, I had planed to go to the St Augustine Alligator
Farm. But Venice was spectacular. In fact the variety
of birds was greater than I had ever seen before.

This was the first time I had my 1D Mark II in Florida, and
the autofocus was simply astounding with the 500 mm f/4 L IS.
I got about 2000 photos, and about 75% of flight shots are in
very good focus (compared to <10% with the same lens on a
10D). I got nice flight shots of great egrets, great blue
herons, anhingas (the usual group), but also snowy egrets,
tricolored herons, black crowned night herons, along with
many portraits and other action.

I also got some nice borrowing owl images in Porta Gorda.

My top image, in my opinion, was two great blue herons kissing
in the last few seconds of sunset light:
http://www.clarkvision.com/galleries/gallery.NEW/web/great.blue.herons.the.kiss.
JZ3F8149.f-700.html

This is the only image I've processed so far, out of 500 top images (that's
about 25% of the total images; my previous efforts with my 10D
were <10%).

I'll have to go back and go to the alligator farm.

Roger

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Kent Clarke - 10 Mar 2006 02:44 GMT

In article <440F9E6A.3050007@qwest.net>,
"Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark)" <username@qwest.net>
wrote:

> My top image, in my opinion, was two great blue herons kissing
> in the last few seconds of sunset light:
> http://www.clarkvision.com/galleries/gallery.NEW/web/great.blue.herons.the.kis
> s.JZ3F8149.f-700.html

Judging by the female's expression, he's a great kisser. An entertaining
shot.

> This is the only image I've processed so far, out of 500 top images (that's
> about 25% of the total images; my previous efforts with my 10D
> were <10%).

That's quite an amazing improvement (although the 1D body is, what, 5X
the cost of the 10D?). Still, given the diminishing return usual with
most equipment, that's good value. Good to know.

> I'll have to go back and go to the alligator farm.

A very different subject, I think <G>, but that high burst speed would
be handy. They tend to be motionless for hours, and then move very fast.
Feeding time is usually fun.

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Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark) - 11 Mar 2006 13:47 GMT

> In article <440F9E6A.3050007@qwest.net>,
> "Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark)" <username@qwest.net>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> be handy. They tend to be motionless for hours, and then move very fast.
> Feeding time is usually fun.

I meant the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm, which is a great place
for birds. See PWW posts in this thread.

Roger

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Larry Heath - 21 Apr 2006 00:14 GMT

> Paul, Mitch, Kent,
>
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>
> I also got some nice borrowing owl images in Porta Gorda.

Not to be a complete nudge here, but I think you mean Punta Gorda.

Later Larry

> My top image, in my opinion, was two great blue herons kissing
> in the last few seconds of sunset light:
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Roger

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