Harry,

Looks like there is some nagging going on in #1.

Nice landscape you got there too. At least the Mod won't get after you for a non-wildlife shot.

Turtles: where's that croc?!


ciao!
Nick.

Have to agree with Harry about the Viera Wetlands. Awesome Eagle location. I also like Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge and the area around Ponce Inlet Lighthouse.

Hello!
I would like to know about a great spot for birds around Schaumburg, IL. I will install a machine there in July, between 11th and 29th, and the place should be easily accessible since I don't have unlimited time but I will have a car. I arrive July 6th with my wife and we also planned to visit a zoo. Which i better for photography, Lincoln park zoo or Brookfield zoo? Available lens is 70-200 and also 2x extender on eos 40D.

Thank you!
Hank

On Florida's Gulf Coast you have to add in a few great locations
Fort DeSoto's North Beach (near St Petersburg), an Island of a county park that sets at the mouth of Tampa Bay. Great Salt Marsh for wading and getting up very close to shorebirds including "Big Red" the Reddish Egret and his buddy the White Morph. They always put on a show even if nothing else is around. Migratory Drop zone, nesting area, shorebirds, warblers, frigate birds, falcons, eagles and many more.
Honeymoon Island, Osprey Trail lives up to its name on a small sliver of the island you can find close to 30 Osprey nests within 1/2mile long stretch, at the end of the trail is the Bald Eagles nesting area too. Great Horned Owl Nesting as well, The causeway leading out to the island, the beach areas on the island as well as the wooded areas are great for over 100 species of birds in close proximatey and clear view for photography. Osprey trail has great light mornings or evenings just depend on which way you are facing as you walk out and back on the trail.
Circle B Bar Reserve, a newer marshland near Lakeland Florida. Winter is home to over 20,000 white pelicans in a very small area (compared to Bosque or other places) fantastic light both mornings and evenings, numerous Bald Eagle nests, Osprey, thousands of Wood Storks, Egrets, Herons, many different ducks. We have counted close to 200 species there so far., Not to mention thousands of American Alligators everywhere. Opens hours before dawn and closes after sunset (which is rare for many places these days of limited funding). 1300 acres, 7 miles of wide open trails.

Now I could go on and on naming the close to 200 locations near Tampa Florida where you can get wildlife photos up close and personal but wont bore you.

I also really like Viera, that is a special place on the Space Coast of Florida. but Circle B rivals it for proximity and diversity BUT its nice to drive the levees at Viera.

FYI, Gatorland no longer is Photographer Friendly,, they stopped the Photographers Passes, stopped Early and Late entry and have built a zip line that seems to get in the background of your in flight shots.


Fort DeSoto

I look at these photos and see I have so much to learn ...

I agree with those applauding the Bosque del Apache ... I went last fall for the first time with a workshop, and will return on my own this November, followed by a week in Arizona. I produced a little video from the shoot, and look forward to improving on that this year -- something for fun. Here tis ... http://youtu.be/SfrVucxM4Sc -- Jim

Originally Posted by Badrad ... I produced a little video from the shoot, and look forward to improving on that this year -- something for fun. Here tis ... http://youtu.be/SfrVucxM4Sc -- Jim

That's one nice "little video"!

The video really captures the feel of Bosque. Hearing those sounds really brought back memories of my visit.

Avery Island, (about 140 miles west of New Orleans and 25 miles south of Lafayette, Louisiana) is a beautiful location for wildlife photography. The best months are from March through July, when the migratory birds, like Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Green Heron, Tricolored Heron, Roseate Spoonbills, etc. are in residence at Bird City, a rookery in Avery Island's Jungle Gardens. Alligators are plentiful too. Two websites with directions, hours of operation, and more information on the history, are www.junglegarens.org, and www.TABASCO.com. Jungle Gardens is a great spot to shoot birds in flight, as there is an observation platform at Bird City, where the birds consistently fly in good lighting in the late afternoons. In season, Jungle Gardens also has has hundreds of varieties of camellias, azaleas, and iris blooms. As an aside, the TABASCO factory on Avery Island offers tours throughout the day, and the Country Store now has Cajun dishes like Crawfish Etouffe and red beans and rice if you enjoy eating outdoors under picnic tables. Here are a few photos:


1. Jungle Gardens Live Oaks and Azaleas




2. Bird City in Jungle Gardens



3. Snowy Egret



4. Alligator



5. Great Egret in Flight



6. Green Heron



7. Roseate Spoonbill



Best regards, Pam

ENP is my hunting ground all year long.
After shooting here for years I have a good idea of what's where at any time of year.
My favorite area is Flamingo where there's lots of birds.
Here's a few from Flamingo and Eco Pond.
d300 w 300/4, some with tc-14e

Eco pond in Feb of this year.


eco 2


ocean side

osprey2

@Harry
your collection is amazing i like it you whole collection of bird photos.
All guys are sharing such a nice photo
thank you for sharing this such a nice photography