Fort DeSoto FL

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Can anyone comment on whether Desoto has changed post hurricane?
I will be heading there myself in early April.
I am expecting the Estero Lagoon to be gone and/or inaccessible.
Hoping Ding is open by then.
 
I’m so happy to read this thread and see the open and welcoming responses.

Last year March when I vacationed a week in Tampa, I asked on another popular forum for help and guidance, I got turned down. Everyone kept the secrets to themselves.

I’m glad I’m active here on BCG. The best advice and everyone is so kind in helping others. Plus we have so much real wisdom from a big number of professionals photographers. I’m proud to be a member here.
WOW! What forum was that? Although, if you don't feel comfortable saying so here in public, I understand...
 
Can anyone comment on whether Desoto has changed post hurricane?
I will be heading there myself in early April.
I am expecting the Estero Lagoon to be gone and/or inaccessible.
Hoping Ding is open by then.
If you don't get an answer here, you can call Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources and ask about it: (727) 582-2100.
 
It was ok. Not as much going on as I expected and I hit all the areas you mentioned. I got a few shots but very slow.
I did also go to Honeymoon State Park and was also slow however I saw some dolphins which was cool and back on the nature trail a great horned owl however he wasn’t being very photographic but cool to see.
I wonder why... I know that the bird activity at our birdfeeders in NW Florida seems to be way down this year. By now, I'm usually into my fourth or fifth bag of Black Oil Sunflower seeds for my feeders, and this year I'm not even half-way into the second bag. I sincerely hope that this is from increased feeder availability in my neighborhood, and not that the number of birds is that low. I hope this isn't from the Avian Flu that's been so prevalent in some areas lately.

EDIT: To make matters worse, I just realized that the bags of seed I'm buying are smaller (20 pounds) than they used to be (40 pounds), a result of "shrinkflation." So the bird traffic at my feeders is even less than I had thought. I spent a bit of time observing them today, and there were no birds other than Tufted Titmouses and Chickadees at the feeders; no Cardinals, No Nuthatches, No Bluejays, and no woodpeckers among others that were obviously absent. Hopefully, they will show up soon.
 
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Can anyone comment on whether Desoto has changed post hurricane?
I will be heading there myself in early April.
I am expecting the Estero Lagoon to be gone and/or inaccessible.
Hoping Ding is open by then.
No significant change. The park is well north of where the hurricane passed. I did notice some reshaping of the sand bar at the far north end.
 
Another good place to check when driving out to Fort Desoto Park is an area called the “duck ponds”. They are large inland ponds just past the fire station and athletic fields on Tierra Verde. I stopped by the ponds late yesterday on my way to the park. There were white pelicans, redhead ducks, and ring neck ducks. I have also seen Magnificent Frigate Birds at the ponds as it appears they like to dive down and skim for a drink. Depending on the season and the amount of people in the park the birding can be hit or miss. It was a little slower yesterday but in 2 hours I was still able to see 2 oystercatchers, 5 reddish egrets, a greater yellow leg and bunches of the usuals (gulls, sandpipers, various plovers, black skimmers…….)
 
In addition to the other locations at Fort DeSoto, I always visit the fountain - especially in late afternoon. It's a good spot for warblers.

I've spent hours at Fort DeSoto photographing songbirds in the oak trees. It's always a challenge, but there is usually activity throughout the day. My favorite locations are the trees near the restroom beyond the northern end of the North Beach parking lot, and near the southern end of the big parking lot near the Snack Bar.
 
In addition to the other locations at Fort DeSoto, I always visit the fountain - especially in late afternoon. It's a good spot for warblers.

I've spent hours at Fort DeSoto photographing songbirds in the oak trees. It's always a challenge, but there is usually activity throughout the day. My favorite locations are the trees near the restroom beyond the northern end of the North Beach parking lot, and near the southern end of the big parking lot near the Snack Bar.
Thanks, I’ll look a little closer at those areas next trip!
 
Can anyone comment on whether Desoto has changed post hurricane?
I will be heading there myself in early April.
I am expecting the Estero Lagoon to be gone and/or inaccessible.
Hoping Ding is open by then.
You mentioned Ding Darling. It was hit very hard by the hurricane. I’m not sure of the status.There is another spot close to there which is very good. At low tide Bunche Beach is a great spot. It is before you go over the bridge to Sanibel. From the parking area I walk west. Tidal mud flats with lots of shore birds, a good spot for spoonbills.
 
You mentioned Ding Darling. It was hit very hard by the hurricane. I’m not sure of the status.There is another spot close to there which is very good. At low tide Bunche Beach is a great spot. It is before you go over the bridge to Sanibel. From the parking area I walk west. Tidal mud flats with lots of shore birds, a good spot for spoonbills.
Thank you. I’ve been to Bunche a bunch never walked very far west.
 
I don’t feel it’s ethically correct to spell it out.

Joel, can you explain why? I don't understand why it is unethical to point out a forum where the members are less than friendly or refuse to help each other? That is the type of forum I would want to avoid, and would appreciate the warning. Why keep it a secret?
 
In addition to the other locations at Fort DeSoto, I always visit the fountain - especially in late afternoon. It's a good spot for warblers.

I've spent hours at Fort DeSoto photographing songbirds in the oak trees. It's always a challenge, but there is usually activity throughout the day. My favorite locations are the trees near the restroom beyond the northern end of the North Beach parking lot, and near the southern end of the big parking lot near the Snack Bar.
I like those spots too. Last time I went there was an American Kestrel hanging around that area so not as many warblers :)
 
Joel, can you explain why? I don't understand why it is unethical to point out a forum where the members are less than friendly or refuse to help each other? That is the type of forum I would want to avoid, and would appreciate the warning. Why keep it a secret?
I’m not sure if Steve would want/allow to bad mouth other forums on his site.
The PM works though…
 
Was at North Beach a few weeks ago. Red tide issue is gone now. Small break in the shoreline at the North end can be waded across at 12-18 inch depth. Terrific for sunrise and sunset. 7AM gate opening may be too late now for first light.
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I just checked a map and I've actually been here before. My wife and I were visiting Tampa for a long weekend and we drove through as far as the front gate. Are there a lot of opportunities for water level shooting without getting wet or at least nothing that requires muck boots or waders? I'd be flying to Florida and wouldn't be able to bring any of that stuff.
 
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I just checked a map and I've actually been here before. My wife and I were visiting Tampa for a long weekend and we drove through as far as the front gate. Are there a lot of opportunities for ground level shooting without getting wet or at least nothing that requires muck boots or waders? I'd be flying to Florida and wouldn't be able to bring any of that stuff.
It's a good spot with a lot more varied subject matter than most people would guess. My first visit was with a client who was a very serious birder. He and his wife knew all kinds of spots and what specific birds were typically in each place. Of course, the songbirds flittering in the oak trees provided a very high degree of difficulty but that was probably my favorite area for the middle parts of the day.
 
I just checked a map and I've actually been here before. My wife and I were visiting Tampa for a long weekend and we drove through as far as the front gate. Are there a lot of opportunities for water level shooting without getting wet or at least nothing that requires muck boots or waders? I'd be flying to Florida and wouldn't be able to bring any of that stuff.
Yes - most of the opportunities don't require getting your feet wet. If desired, there is a small lagoon and you could walk through the water there, but that's one location out of more than a dozen places to photograph - and depends on the light and tides. At low tide there are some really nice exposed sand bars off the road before you reach Fort DeSoto.
 
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