In search of an inspirational place...

[altaf]

Hello everyone,

 

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I have a couple days of complete peace coming up from Dec 25th to Jan

4th to enjoy nature photography somewhere; I have no real idea where i

want to spend it other than the following criteria

(1) Not too cold

(2) Not too many people

(3) Relatively photogenic

(4) In the continental USA

 

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I would like some recommendations on places to go other than the

common national parks etc... I read through the location section

repeatedly and bosque del apache sounds nice, but I would like other

ideas. During the summer it is relatively easy to pick spots, but at

this time of year it gets a bit more difficult and I was hoping

someone here could help.

 

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Thank you

 

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If this is not a specific enough question I understand if you choose

to delete it.

[altaf]

Sorry i forgot to mention i would like to rent a 600/4 at either

bosque del apache or sanibel in florida. I am a nikon shooter so If

anyone knows of a pro shop near either of these refuges, that

information would be very helpful.

 

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Thank you

[howard_creech1]

Here is a suggestion for you...try the "other" Gulf Coast...Southwest

Louisiana & Southeast Texas...several very nice wildlife sanctuaries

(read here over 100 million migratory birds) Sabine, Rockefeller,

Lacassine, & Cameron Prairie in Louisiana and Several in Texas (to

include the place where the Whoopers winter...I can't recall the

name) plus I am sure ou can rent anything photographic that you want

in Houston. Absolutely no crowds (you probably won't see anyone) A

great photography blind in Lacassine...arrange to use it through the

refuge manager) A boardwalk (tripod friendly) in Sabine

NWR...Rockefeller is pretty primitive (you will need a boat...which

should be pretty easy to arrange) They have guided boat tours in

Texas for the Whoopers. Cameron Prairie has some spots near the road

where you could work from your car (to include one open water area

that is very popular with white pelicans)...factor in some good Cajun

food in Lake Charles and you have the makings of a winning trip.

[brad_hutcheson]

I wasn't going to post here, since it seemed like the places you were talking about in the original question were out west, but since you mention Florida, I'll throw in St. Marks NWR. It is only about 25-30 miles from Tallahassee, and meets your criteria. It shouldn't be too cold, although weather in N. Florida can change rapidly from day to day this time of year, today's high is supposed to be around 80. It ranges from being kind of photogenic to spectacular depending on the weather, and what animals you run into, especially in the area of the lighthouse. And if you go to Sanibel, you may decide to travel up to the northern part of the state for some solitude, and crowds are the last thing you will have to worry about at St. Marks. As often as it comes up on this forum, I really need to get down to Sanibel sometime, but I have a feeling it is much more crowded than what I am used to here. No gaurantees at St. Marks, just hit or miss oportunities, and a chance to be in a refuge where you will be lucky to see 40-50 people, and half of them are there to use the boat ramp to go out on the Gulf.

 

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Oh, by the way, I have seen all 10 or 12 parking spaces fill up around sunset at the lighthouse, so I guess it can be a little crowded. :-) ( don't worry, that's the closest thing to a crowd in the entire refuge, and it is pretty big) Needless to say, Florida presents a lot of oportunities, and you will have a good bit of time, so if you do choose Sanibel, be sure to check out some other State and National parks/refuges also.

[lightcraftsman]

Given the current weather this winter, the only place in the continental U.S. that matches criterion #1 is

southern Florida.

[ShunCheung]

If you want warm weather, late December is definitely a good time to

visit Florida, except that it may be somewhat crowded already

(especially Orlando). Their busiest season really starts in late

January or early February, so it shouldn't be too bad yet. There are

certainly plenty of photogenic locations in Florida.

[altaf]

Thanks to everyone who answered my question.

[piaw]

I spent Christmas Day on the beach off of Kirk Creek Campground in Big

Sur. Next to nobody was there, and it was gorgeous. You could see all

the way to the horizon, and watch the sun set slowly over the ocean,

giving the water a golden sheen. Even if none of my frames worked out

it was worthwhile being there!

[wendy_woods]

Actually, if there is such a thing as a kind of Route 66 running through Florida, I

would enjoy hearing about it from fellow photogs - I realize the real Route 66

doesn't but are there highways that have outlived their usefulness and towns along

them falling into some disarray? I am very interested in taking a journey through

Florida in search of its past century this February and would appreciate any

suggestions. Thanks - Wendy Woods

[mlfly]

Wendy,

 

There's not really a Route 66 for seeking out "Old" Florida. To be sure, you can find such places but the constant building and population increase results in the tearing down of old buildings. Also, with all the termites and humitidy, it's a miracle our new houses stand more than a few years :)

 

However, if I were to seek out some old places, I'd go to Micanopy and Cross Creek. There are some old ruins for Sugar Mills in New Smyrna Beach. While in those areas, you can also find some natural landscapes, including Canaveral National Seashore out on the island form new Smyrna Beach.

 

Older stately homes exist in many of the small towns or even larger ones like Sanford, as an example. In fact, you can take a boat from Sanford up to Jacksonville, if you wish, but it's a very long trip. Up to Palatka from Deland is a good route. You'll see natural Florida as well as some historic areas in Deland and Palatka.

 

In Southern Florida, I used to love to photograph downtown Fort Lauderdale. Now, the old Governor's Hotel is gone along with the buildings beside it. There's still some areas in Miami (Vizcaya - beautiful to visit and photograph (get permission for a tripod), the Barnacle (very small but old cameras on display and some shots of the house and boathouse), and more.

 

This probably doesn't help a great deal because there's no one road to head out on. However, if you do a search of the towns and sites above, you'll find some interesting things. Also, try www.ghosttowns.com. There are quite a few in Florida and they are good starting out points. Plus, some look interesting.

 

Mike