Sites near Orlando, Fla.

I'll be in Longwood, Fla. (a few miles north of Orlando) in Feb. My

time will be limted so I'm looking for good places for nature photog.

not more than 1 hr. drive from there. Do such places exist? (Yes,

there is much in the archives about Fla., but not about this area.)

Many thanks and happy holidays!

Gary, I was in this area last year during late February/early March, and I spent an interesting afternoon at Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka. There were a couple of noisy groups of people there, so we didn't see many animals (a few birds), but I got some interesting shots of various kinds of plants along some of the trails. Mornings during the week might be quieter. I also went to Merritt Island (Titusville, near Cape Canaveral) and Lake Woodruff (DeLeon Springs) NWR's, but, as I recall ,they were both more than an hour from Orlando.

Actually, the Discovery Island section of Disneyworld offers good opportunities for bird photography. In addition to the captive birds in a large, "walk-through" aviary, I was able to get very close to white ibis, common moorhen, black vulture, etc, that were hanging around on the outside of the enclosure. There were also lots of gulls and waders.

Gary,

Try the Orlando Wetlands Park. It's kind of hard to find so I will give you exact directions. Drive 40 minutes east of downtown Orlando on State Road 50 to Christmas, Fl. Go north (left) 2.3 miles on Ft. Christmas Road (County Road 420) and 1.5 miles east (right)on Wheeler Road, an unpaved road. Parking will be on your left. The place is full of birds including raptors, wading birds, and waterfowl. Also lots of gators, deer, and wild pigs. A great place for birders and photographers. Try it you'll like it.

Merritt Island NWR is a bit more than an hour away, but not much more (about 1.5 hours). Look on your map for Titusville. Wood stork, roseate spoonbills, and the other usual suspects are there and often easily photographed from your car.

Ditto the suggestion about Orlando Wetlands Park. If you take State Rd. 46 to I-95 to get to Merritt Island, you should be there in less than an hour. 46 can be reached from I-4 or 17-92 just south of Sanford, and the drive between Sanford and Mims on 46 goes through some beautiful habitat, and crosses over tribuaties of the St. John's River a couple of times; eagles and a variety of wading birds can be seen at many points along this route. Once you reach I-95, its only a couple of miles until you reach the exit to Merritt Island (Rte. 206?). It's certainly quicker than taking I-4 south to Rte. 50, and a more relaxing drive as well. If you're interested in unique Florida habitats, there are some nice natural areas off of 46 west of Sanford. Take I-4 north to the Rte. 46 exit, go west, and in a few miles you'll see entrances to several state parks and forests - Seminole State Forest on the north side of 46, and Rock Springs Run State Park on the south of 46 a couple of miles after you cross the Wekiwa River. Habitats range from small semi-permanent wetland depressions to xeric upland habitats within a few hundred yards, as well as big stands of pine flatwoods and some beautiful oak hammocks. Whereas the bird photography opportunities are not quite as plentiful as at Merritt Island or Orlando Wetlands, there are a variety of birds there, and the habitats are really nice. Lots of black bears in the area too (you'll notice big black bear exclusion fences and underpasses along several stretches of 46), although they are not predictably seen. Drive a few miles further north on I-4 to Orange City and visit Blue Springs State Park if you're interested in manatees - they are always present in the spring run throughout the winter, and there is some beautiful habitat in the park as well (although way too many people, esp. on weekends). There are also a few clans of fairly tame scrub jays in the park, usually near the campground area. Ask for the park naturalist, Rich Harris, at the entry station for specific info about where the scrub jays have been hanging out recently. If you have specific target species or habitats, feel free to e-mail me for more suggestions. You'll enjoy it wherever you go; February is a great time to be in central Florida.

Orlando Wetlands park is a wonderful place but I believe it may be closed for a few weeks at the beginning of January

Discovery Island and Orlando Wetlands park would be great,if they were open. I just returned from Orlando and Disney has seen fit to close Discovery Island permanently, and Orlando Wetlands Park is closed in the winter. It's possible they reopen sometime in February. Boc Tower, southwest of Orlando, has swans and excellent spider webs (complete with spiders) around the main lake. If your lucky (I wasn't) the nature pond has birds hanging around, and a blind but you have to shoot through glass (which they do keep quite clean).