Taking the family to Vero Beach for a week. Where would you go to shoot? I will have a car and I get up early. Any cool spots? thanks
Vero Beach Fla Bird shooting?
- Thread starter AndyL3
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I've only ever been to the West Coast of the US, but if I had the chance to go to Vero, I would be heading to Blue Cyprus Conservation Area and doing one of those "Gator Bait" airboat rides. Have a look at Google maps and all the pics posted there.
gatorbaitairboatadventures.com
Airboat Rides Vero Beach
Discover Florida's hidden secrets & explore the Blue Cypress Preserves with Airboat Rides & Tours Vero Beach.
gatorbaitairboatadventures.com
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I would head north to Vierra Wetlands (just under an hour) or Merritt Island (a little over an hour). Been to both and both are pretty awesome.
TonyB
Active member
Greetings from Viera, FL. Very Beach is about 45 minutes south of me. Unfortunately, the Viera Wetlands are not what they once were for wildlife. Recent home construction by the Viera Company has had serious impacts on the wildlife. This season there were no Great Blue Heron nests within photography reach and all other wildlife was in much smaller numbers. But, the wetlands have been closed due to COVID until recently and they still are not permitting vehicles on the dirt roads. It may have improved due to the lack of people over the past 6 months. If you’re in the area, it may be worth the couple hours to hike the loop.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is better, but like any wildlife, never a guarantee. I’ve been on Black Point Drive and took hundreds of shots and sometimes not so much. But, there are a lot of areas if you have the time and don’t mind hiking. If you get there early, you can find Florida Scrub Jays, which are fun, friendly, curious cute birds.
Since you’ll be at Vero, you’re close to Blue Cypress Lake. There’s usually something to photograph there but your best shots are taken from a boat. There’s a fishing camp there where you can hire a boat by the hour. I’ve photographed barred owls and osprey here.
If you want some prairie style landscapes and maybe some wildlife, check out Kissimmee Prairie State Park. If the skies are clear, the park is a designated Dark Sky area and the Milky Way is visible with the naked eye on a clear night.
Hope you have a good trip. A cool front just came through today so the humidity and heat have eased up, for now.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is better, but like any wildlife, never a guarantee. I’ve been on Black Point Drive and took hundreds of shots and sometimes not so much. But, there are a lot of areas if you have the time and don’t mind hiking. If you get there early, you can find Florida Scrub Jays, which are fun, friendly, curious cute birds.
Since you’ll be at Vero, you’re close to Blue Cypress Lake. There’s usually something to photograph there but your best shots are taken from a boat. There’s a fishing camp there where you can hire a boat by the hour. I’ve photographed barred owls and osprey here.
If you want some prairie style landscapes and maybe some wildlife, check out Kissimmee Prairie State Park. If the skies are clear, the park is a designated Dark Sky area and the Milky Way is visible with the naked eye on a clear night.
Hope you have a good trip. A cool front just came through today so the humidity and heat have eased up, for now.
I would plan for sunrise / sunset(s) at Sebastian Inlet.
You won't be disappointed. ;-)
You won't be disappointed. ;-)
THANKS I booked an airboat ride at Blue cypress!! Will certainly google these places!!
When are you going? About 90 minutes south of Vero Beach, in Delray Beach, are Wakodahatchee Wetlands ( https://discover.pbcgov.org/waterutilities/Pages/Wetlands.aspx) and Green Cay (https://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Pages/GreenCay.aspx ) nature preserves. If you go to either, check their websites to determine their opening times and get there really early in order to gain access. Plan to spend several hours there with your camera. About two hours away, near Lakeland, is the Circle B Bar Reserve (https://web.archive.org/web/2010120...y.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=52&nav=res&id=6040 ), which you'll want to spend the better part of a day visiting if you go. Also about 90 minutes away is Gatorland Orlando, actually in Kississimee, Florida. (Info here: https://www.gatorland.com/experiences/photographers-pass/). If you're intereested in Bald Eagle photography, and are willing to hire a guide, let me know; I know a guide who specializes in this.
As with everything you might plan to visit, call the facility beforehand to determine if the facility is open and the operating hours. If you're intereested in Bald Eagle photography, and are willing to hire a guide
Have fun and good luck.
W
As with everything you might plan to visit, call the facility beforehand to determine if the facility is open and the operating hours. If you're intereested in Bald Eagle photography, and are willing to hire a guide
Have fun and good luck.
W
THANKS for all the info. Next time I need to go for a few weeks! Love shooting eagles and I have no problem hiring a guide who knows where they feed, nest etc Thanks
All thanks for th information. Went to Sebastian Inlet, tons of birds, but the weather was really windy. Also rented an air boat and checked out Blue Cypress, what a place but rain cut our trip short. Spent 2 mornings with Mark Smith, google him and see what he s up too. Nice guy and plugged in to the local area. I definitely plan on returning. THANKS
You really should visit Sebastian inlet in november-december, if possible of course. We have been there the last 2 years, great place to spend half a day. Especially the small beach close to the bridge was good with many waders, terns, osprey, kingfisher and black skimmers.
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