If you had 3 or 4 days in Florida to shoot birds

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I saw this post with some excellent suggestions and tips. I did not see any tips on the best times for some of these places. (other than this was set for the April - May timeline from the original post.
I know there are a lot of different places mentioned but in general, what is a good time to see the most of critters (winter, spring, fall, summer) and maybe a range of the months?
Thanks!
 
I will be in the Pensacola Area in mid to late September. Curious about wildlife opportunities around there. Of course I am planning to shoot the Blue Angels practice.(Birds in flight of a different kind). Also will go to Fort Pickens to shoot the ospreys in the tall trees if they are still there. Any other places around Pensacola?
 
I will be in the Pensacola Area in mid to late September. Curious about wildlife opportunities around there. Of course I am planning to shoot the Blue Angels practice.(Birds in flight of a different kind). Also will go to Fort Pickens to shoot the ospreys in the tall trees if they are still there. Any other places around Pensacola?
I live about 45 miles east of Pensacola NAS, and have wanted to shoot a Blues practice show for a longtime. September is still airshow season, so they might not be home when you're there. (The latest published practice schedule indicates they'll fly 2023 practice shows in Pensacola on September 6th, 12th and 19th.) If they are, call the Naval Aviation Museum to see if they offer the opportunity to shoot a practice session from the museum. I seem to remember that some time ago, they offered photographers the opportunity to shoot from the roof of one of the museum's buildings. I believe that the Pensacola Lighthouse also had a program where you could climb to the top of the lighthouse and shoot the practices from on high.

As far as wildlife, the Gulf shoreline is where you might have the best luck. On the island, and east of the Navarre Beach Causeway there are a few lakes that might offer offer opportunities to photograph Skimmers. I haven't been over there in years, so I can't say if it's any good these days. If I get an opportunity to do so, I'll drive out that way and scout it out.

Good luck! BTW, since this is an old thread, you may be better served by starting a new one!
 
Thanks, I’ve been to Pensacola for vacation before and shot the Blue Angel practices. It’s a lot of fun plus I enjoy going thru the museum. I will probably be at the Sept 19 practice. From what I’ve read the top of the museum is reserved for DoD families and such. The beach there is gorgeous and it and the bay offered a lot to photograph. Just hoping for something inland with more species of birds. Thanks for your help.
 
January to early February on the west coast near Bonita Springs? What’s good around there? Great thread.
If you're that close, I'd say take the two-hour trip up to Fort DeSoto State Park and go to North Beach. However, there are plenty of places near and south of Bonita Springs that should be just as good. I just have not visited them for photographic purposes.

It's very likely that someone on this forum has and will offer advice.

An online resource for you to try is: https://floridabirdingtrail.com/
 
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Thanks, I’ve been to Pensacola for vacation before and shot the Blue Angel practices. It’s a lot of fun plus I enjoy going thru the museum. I will probably be at the Sept 19 practice. From what I’ve read the top of the museum is reserved for DoD families and such. The beach there is gorgeous and it and the bay offered a lot to photograph. Just hoping for something inland with more species of birds. Thanks for your help.
Chappy, Eglin AFB has a natural resources group that might be able to offer pointers to you: https://eglin.isportsman.net/ Pensacola NAS may have a similar organization that could offer advice, but I'm not familiar with it.

Other than that, you might inquire with the Florida FWS: https://myfwc.com/viewing/

The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail site is also a resource for you to use: https://floridabirdingtrail.com/

Good luck!
 
Chappy, Eglin AFB has a natural resources group that might be able to offer pointers to you: https://eglin.isportsman.net/ Pensacola NAS may have a similar organization that could offer advice, but I'm not familiar with it.

Other than that, you might inquire with the Florida FWS: https://myfwc.com/viewing/

The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail site is also a resource for you to use: https://floridabirdingtrail.com/

Good luck!
Thanks, looks like some good resources.
 
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