Miami trip - nature photo locations

[Rod Sorensen]

Hello,

I am going to Miami later this week for a meeting. I will have a few hours

Thursday afternoon, as well as all day Saturday and Sunday available to

myself. I like nature, wildlife, bird photography and am trying to get ideas

to maximize my time. This is my first visit to Miami.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

[ShunCheung]

The Everglades seems to be the obvious answer. There are a lot of old threads on that very topic.

[amolkhedgikar]

If you want birds then shark valley in everglades is the only place that comes to mind. It is the best place and this is possibly the best time. you will have quality as well as quantity.

Read as much as you can on shark valley. This site has probably the best threads on shark valley and everglades as a whole.

 

click well

[bruce_margolis]

Rod, you didn't leave yourself a lot of time. Assuming you have transportation, I would read up (quickly!) about the Everglades and find spots that appeal to you. A bit further west is Ding Darling.

 

Another choice is to head south toward the Keys. Nice nature areas but not as good overall for wildlife/birds.

 

If you don't feel like driving too much, consider heading to the shore at South Beach. I hear the wildlife there is interesting. :-)

[jgaulke]

There's a "wildlife rehab" center on Islamorado (about an hour down on the keys) that offers good birding opportunities.

[hkass]

I also recommend the Everglades - Shark Valley in particular. About 20 minutes further west of Shark Valley is the Oasis visitor center for the Big Cyprus Nature Preserve. There are some side roads you can drive off onto where you will find some ponds that attract birds and alligators.

 

Further north, around Delray Beach, if you are willing to go a more commercial route, is the Morikami Gardens, a small lake surrounded by Japanese gardens. Very pretty and relaxing. Some birds in the area, but this would be more for scenery, flowers, etc.

 

Good luck.

 

Howard

[seragram]

http://www.sharkvalleytramtours.com/

http://www.clydebutcher.com/

It looks like you have limited time I would go to Shark Valley with is on Tamiami trail. And then visit Clyde Butcher gallery it is wonderfull on Tamiami trail you would see plenty wild life on the side of the road. And there are several air boat ride been offered witch I recomend. If you keep going further west you get to Florida city witch is the northern part of Everglades NP and they have very good boat rides there too. You get to see Dolfins runing along the boat and Ospey nest and other wild life.

[slopoki]

Go to the Everglades and use the south entrance. First go to Royal Palm where there are many different types of birds and lots of gators. Early morning is best. Next stop is Pay hay okee. Bird the road on the way to the overlook that's were you will see most birds.

Then try Mzarek pond, it can be good at times. End at Flamigo were you will see nesting osprey's, hawks, maybe an eagle or two. Eco pond is hit or miss as well but you may find spoonbills and stilts there along with egrets and herons. If you leave Flamingo in the late afternoon then stop at nine mile pond were you might find Osprey's fishing.

 

Rick

 

My Gallery: http://slopoki1.smugmug.com/Nature

[brian_schall]

Shark Valley is 2/3 the way across the state, at least 1 to 1/2 hour drive to get there. Ding Darling is 2 1/2 hours away on the west coast. Neither exactly a trip for photography with only a couple of hours to kill.

 

Check out this site: http://www.floridastateparks.org/ Query for parks in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. There are quite a few state parks in the area. These are oasis of wild in the urban landscape.

 

There's also Biscayne National Park. http://www.nps.gov/bisc/

[sedat_sert]

thank you..