Best Florida Wildlife Locations

[Abinoone]

Hello,
I'm planning on spending a couple of months in Florida and would appreciate your thoughts on the best locations to observe and photograph wildlife. I've been there many times for various reasons, and have enjoyed visiting both west and east coasts. Last year, I enjoyed a couple of weeks photographing along the beaches and bays of Sarasota, Audubon's Celery Fields, and Mayakka State Park. I'd like to try a few new places this time, especially locations with minimal crowds.

Thanks for your recommendations!

Abinoone

 

[RickW]

If you’re asking about wildlife opportunities anywhere in the state, I respectfully suggest that you question is just too broad which might explain the lack of responses. The entire state of FL is teeming with wildlife - especially birds. I recommend that you decide on the type of wildlife you would enjoy seeing and then decide on a specific area you might be interested in. My guess you would get a better response rate if you more narrowly defined your parameters.

For example, I live in Sarasota, so I am able to recommend locales between Tampa and Naples (where you have apparently visited before.) Others in different areas of the state would be more knowledgeable about their hometown neighborhoods. Try getting more specific about what you hope to see and where (and when) you might expect to be and I’ll bet you get lots of replies.

In my experience, if it swims or flies, FL might be one of the best places in the US (the world?) for photography. If you want bears, elk, moose, big cats or bison etc, go to Yellowstone, Tetons or Glacier. Fish, birds and reptiles? Come on down.

If you are interested in my neck of the woods again, pm me and I’ll be glad to share.

oh - and there are Florida panthers in the state, but their population is dwindling and they are particularly elusive. I’ve been in FL since 1986 and I have never seen one, but hope springs eternal

 

[Whiskeyman]

The important questons for you to answer are when and where, both specifically.

And understand that the better a place is, the less likely it will be uncrowded.

Wayne

 

[Abinoone]

Oh, would I love to see a Florida panther! Somewhat discouragingly, an acquaintance of mine breezed through on a week long vacation, and caught one on camera. I'm partial to the Gulf coast, so am thinking of the Sarasota area again. Aside from the beaches, bays, and Mayakka, any recommendations?

 

[gordon_g]

Do a search there was a post a while back and we pretty much had all the must go to places listed.... see this link (SWF Places ).
I have a funny Panther story's (wasn't funny at the time however). I was 18 at the time (early 80's) a friend and I were fishing we were walking around to some different ponds we came around the corner and there about 30 yards right in front of us was a panther... we froze he froze we stood there looking at each other like WTH do we do now.... not the best of options go take a swim with gators or deal with a panther with a fishing pole and a tackle box... Luckily he turned and walked away, I remember thinking at the time he was bigger than I thought he would be.

Also saw a panther at the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples one time when he ran down section of the boardwalk I was on.... only two time I've even seen one and I lived in SWF for 10 1/2 year and spent lots of hours in the woods back in the day.

@Abinoone if your going to be in Sarasota go to the Venice rookery... and you used to be able to get into the dump in Sarasota if you still can it a great place to see eagles.

 

[Whiskeyman]

Ok, how far are you willing to drive from the Sarasota area for a day trip? And again, when will you be there? Timing matters.

As far as seeing a wild panther, I know people who've gone their whole life in Florida without ever seeing one. That doesn't mean that a panther never saw them though. I've also heard stories of people going out one time on a weekend trip and seeing a wild panther.

 

[FB101]

I asked a similar question last week for around Tampa and so far I tried two of the recommendations and both were awesome.
Fort Desoto late afternoon / sunset is superb. Love that northern beach!
Circle B bar early morning is a stunning experience, but everybody said to get there early and that is a fact. Even mid week it was packed by 10am. But the wildlife is amazingly close and plentiful With a huge diversity of environments. I’d go back just for the oaks covered in Spanish moss. That would be 1.5 hr away from Sarasota.

 

[SBurkholder]

Hello,
I'm planning on spending a couple of months in Florida and would appreciate your thoughts on the best locations to observe and photograph wildlife. I've been there many times for various reasons, and have enjoyed visiting both west and east coasts. Last year, I enjoyed a couple of weeks photographing along the beaches and bays of Sarasota, Audubon's Celery Fields, and Mayakka State Park. I'd like to try a few new places this time, especially locations with minimal crowds.

Thanks for your recommendations!

Abinoone

Mark Smith publishes a book titled "Florida Birding" Subtitle: "A guide to the best birding locations in the Sunshine State". Originally when I got the book, I thought it was just for tourists. But after using it for a couple of years, I've come to appreciate it a lot more. His Youtube channel is amazing.

 

[Abinoone]

Thank you everyone for the recommendations! Truly appreciated. Some of you asked when and where I'll be based - in the Sarasota area next Jan & Feb, 2022. The Buffalo, NY winters are just too long anymore, and I miss shooting opportunities during winters.

 

[gordon_g]

Thank you everyone for the recommendations! Truly appreciated. Some of you asked when and where I'll be based - in the Sarasota area next Jan & Feb, 2022. The Buffalo, NY winters are just too long anymore, and I miss shooting opportunities during winters.

Boy you can say that again.... !!!! I did actually see a bird a week ago.. first one in like 2 months. this time of year is the worst because we are close to not close enough.

 

[Cristobal]

Sarasota Audubon Society has released a few years ago a very pratical repertory of spots for birding in this area; you can certainly order this publication ''Birding Hot Spots in Sarasota and Manatee Counties'', Seven edition 2016, at the following address: Sarasota Audubon Society, 999 Center Road, Sarasota, FL 34240-9546 (phone number: 941-312-6533) (EMAIL ADDRESS: www.sarasotaaudubon.org)

 

[Abinoone]

Thank you!