SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE

by Terry Boyer

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA

J.N. DING DARLING WILDLIFE REFUGE

This is one of the best locations in Florida to view and photograph a wide variety of wildlife. The best times to visit Sanibel and Southwest Florida are December through March. This area is ideal at this time because of the North-South migratory routes. This is a heavily visited area that enables photographers the ability to get very close to the birds. Hours for the Refuge are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Photography is good throughout the day for a wide variety of wildlife but your best opportunities will be early morning at low tide for feeding birds. You should be at the gate by 7:15 a.m. The 5-mile drive through the Refuge is open every day except Friday. The entrance fee is $4 per car per day. If you are going for more than 2 days, a season pass is available for $10 at the Visitor Center . When driving through the Refuge, look closely on the banks and mangroves of the canal for wildlife. If you stay in the car and drive through, you will miss your best chances to photograph Yellow-crowned Night-Herons feeding on crabs, etc. There are no restrictions about getting out of your car to take pictures. Phone number is 1-813-472-2329.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

500MM is ideal.
300MM with a 1.4 or 2x converter is good.
Wide-angle lens for sunsets and scenics.
• Film PROVIA F 100 or ECTACHROME VS 100 are my choices.

BAILY TRACT

Part of Ding Darling Refuge and located a short distance away on Tarpon Bay Road . It has a parking area and you walk on the trails along a number of ponds and waterways. Wading birds are often found feeding in these ponds. Long lenses will be necessary.

LIGHTHOUSE PARK

Located at the South end of Sanibel is a great place for photographing beach birds. Plovers, Willets and other small birds can be seen at all times and are very tame. The fishing bridge attracts Egrets, Herons and Pelicans. These birds are so close you can almost touch them. This is one of the best places for portraits. Lenses in the 300MM range are good for the beach and an 80-200 zoom will work well on the pier.

CORKSCREW SWAMP SANCTUARY

Owned and operated by the National Audubon Society. It has a 2 ¼ mile boardwalk that loops through the largest Bald Cypress tress in the state. Some of these trees are over 500 years old and harbors, when water levels are right, the largest Wood Stock Rookery in the nation. A good deal of the walkway is in water and you could see a good variety of reptiles and wading birds. Lenses should include at least a 300MM lens and a macro lens for Tree Frogs. To reach the Sanctuary from Sanibel, take I75 S. to Exit 17 ( Not Corkscrew Rd. ) and go East Rt. 846 to entrance sign. This is a MUST STOP for photography. Phone number is 1-941-657-3771.

SIX MILE CYPRESS SLOUGH PRESERVE

This is a 1.2 mile boardwalk that passes over a wetland system that has blinds and observation platforms to view a variety of wading birds and reptiles. Wooded areas support Pileated Woodpeckers. Long lenses are necessary 300 and up.

VENICE ROOKERY

This is a small, but excellent rookery located in South Venice just behind police headquarters on Rt. 41. From Rt. 75, take Exit 35 ( Jacaranda Blvd. ) to Rt. 41. Make a right turn and get in the fast lane. Police headquarters is your first left. You will typically see nesting Great Blue Herons, Black-capped Night-Herons, Cattle Egrets, Snowy Egrets and Anhingas nesting on a small island 30 yards from the ponds edge. Bald Eagles frequently will circle the pond looking for fish. Here is a great spot to photograph birds wit twigs flying to the nests.

CARL JOHNSON REGIONAL PARK

This county park is located in two ecosystems: a mangrove estuary and a sandy barrier island. Once at the park, you can take a tram to the beach or walk the half-mile boardwalk. Along the way is an Osprey nest. When at the beach, you can photograph wading birds, seagulls and raccoons. You will see raccoons around the picnic tables. They come out in the day begging for food. This a very nice beach to shell and relax. The Park is located on highway 865, south of Ft. Meyers Beach. Drive across the causeway over Big Carlos Pass to Park on the right.

FT. MEYERS BEACH

Located behind the Holiday Inn at Ft. Meyers Beach on Estero Blvd. is a great place to photograph a wide variety of shore birds. It is necessary to wade ankle deep through the lagoon so be prepared to wear wading shoes, old sneakers, etc. Timing the tide with the sunrise will enhance your opportunity for spectacular photography. A tripod with a 500MM lens or equivalent would be ideal. Try to stay low to the ground at eye level to the birds. The folks at the Holiday Inn don't seem to mind you parking in their lot and walking behind the hotel. I park as far from the facility as possible not to annoy anyone. Don't ruin a good thing.

ST. AUGUSTINE ALLIGATOR FARM

This is without a doubt one of the best places in the country to photograph nesting birds. The best time to visit is mid-May. Great Egrets, Showy Egrets, Tri-color Herons and Cattle Egrets are nesting as close as a foot from the boardwalk that winds through the swamp area of the zoo. You should be able to see Ibis, Spoonbills and other birds that roost in the afternoon. The zoo has well over 1000 alligators from all over the world and is a beautiful place to visit. The zoo opens at 9 a.m. , but if you have the annual pass they will let you in at 8 a.m. at the red door by the parking lot. Be ready and be early. You won't be alone. In the evening they might let you stay after closing to allow you to enjoy a warmer light. Just ask one of the rangers if anyone will stay past closing. They encourage photographers to come to their facility and even have an annual photo contest. The zoo is located on A1A/Anastasia Blvd. Phone number is 1-904-824-3337 or visit their web site (http://www.alligatorfarm.com).