Birding spots North of Tampa

I will be spending a few weeks in Florida at the end of February and

am (thanks to photo.net) aware of the fabulous locations in the SW

area (Myakka, Ding, etc.). However, before I head south, I'll be

spending a few days in the Hudson/Springhill area and have been unable

to find any information about possible photo areas. I'd like my

mornings and evenings to be productive, so if anyone has any

information on that area....I'm listening!

Chuck,

Don't know how far you're willing to drive, so this may be a bit out of your range. A fantastic birding area in the Eustis area is Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area. I do weekly bird censuses in one small section of EMCA and have been getting 70-80 species in a 4 hour census in the last few weeks. Lots of photo ops for wading and aquatic birds as well. See <a href="http://www.stetson.edu/~pmay/emeralda">here </a> for an idea of the birding possibilities. E-mail me if you'd like specific information on best areas to visit and driving directions.

Try Homasassa Springs. I was there about 10 years ago and found it pretty decent. http://www.nccentral.com/hswildlife.htm

 

It was better than most zoos as far as backgrounds. The animals & birds were very approachable. I plan on going back in March. Plan a full day there.

Chuck - Two of the best bird photography locations in Florida are located to the south of where you will be - Honeymoon Island State Recreational Area (north of Clearwater), and Fort Desoto Park (south of St. Pete). If this is not too far for you, let me know and I'll give you some details.

Chuck I live in Spring Hill Florida, about 45 miles North of Tampa. About 10 minutes from my house is a spot called Bayport. I go there on a weekly basis. It is on the gulf. There are always birds there. Osprey, Night Heron, American Egrets, Anhinga, lots of gulls, sometimes you see eagles...but there is always something to photograph. It is easy to get to take state RD 50 as far west as you can go. A few miles past rt 19 you will pass the Bayport Inn on your way to Bayport. two or the blocks past this is Bayou Road (currently closed) but you can drive around the barricade or park and walk. This is a very beautiful water views with birds and water on both sides of the road. Very beautiful scenery. I have ben to all the "hot" spots in SW Florida but these spots are a joy in the early morning. Feel free to contact me by email and I will take you to these spots.I'm posting an image taken at Bayport just last week.<div></div>

Michael,

 

Thanks for the tip about Bayport. I will be moving to Inverness next spring and am curious about shooting possibilities in or near Chassahowitska NWR. I understand most of the refuge is water and wetlands. Anyone know if there is access from roads or walk-in?

Thanks.

 

19 days until retirement - but who's counting?<div></div>

John, congrats on the retirement. Isn't Chassahowitska NWR where the new colony of whooping cranes were led to recently? If so, the FWS may be keeping it closed. But I look forward to other answers you may get.