Orland FL Bird photo ops late Feb/early March

"Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark)" <username.TakeThisOut@qwest.net> wrote in
news:401C323D.2090306@qwest.net:

 > Thanks, Bill.
 > I've been to Kennedy Space Center for launches, as well as Merritt Island
 > and have seen a lot of birds in the area. But they seem skittish
 > and mostly distant. I've had better luck at Ding. I really
 > like flight imaging opportunities, especially landing and
 > takeoff. (Venice Rookery is a nice distance and has lots
 > of flight ops that I like.) Flight ops of spoonbills would
 > be great, in case anyone has suggestions.
 >
 > The Florida Birding Trail site is very good. I'm downloading
 > the guides.
 >
 > Paul,
 > Many great links, thanks.
 >
 > The interesting (to me), close to Orlando areas I've found
 > so far are: Lake Kissimmee (Overstreet Landing area), and
 > Orlando Wetlands Park (one report from February
 > 23, 1999: 500,000 birds)!
 >
 > Has anyone been to either of these two places and can comment
 > on photo ops? (I'll have 500 f/4 + TCs, and shorter lenses).
 >
 > Roger


  Merritt Island's been good to me, and had plenty of ops like you're
looking for, last few times I was there. Didn't seem especially skittish to
me - might depend on time of day. Have glimpsed, but not gotten close to,
Harriers out there last two times, and they're a goal of mine. But I always
see at least eight different species of birds, and they vary every time.
Count on Great Blues, Great Egrets, Little Blues, White Ibis, Grebes,
Osprey, and Gallinules.

  Haven't been to the Orlando Wetlands Park, might have to check it out
if I have time. Been leaning away from birds (too many people doing them),
but I'm also trying to complete a few gaps.

  Mostly, I'm into targets of opportunity, and in Florida that can mean
anywhere. Beeline Expressway (Rt 528) east of Orlando always has something
along the way, not far from the airport - mostly sandhills. Cattle Egrets
seem to be moving through the area right now. Pelicans can be found
anywhere on the Indian and Banana Rivers. You might also want to try out
the St. John's Waterway wherever you can find access - lots of variety
along that path.

  Fishing areas will give you retinal-closeups of Great Blues and
Pelicans as they try to steal bait. Even better if you bring your own .

  Drop me a line when you know you'll be in the area, might try to
catch up with you if you like.


  - Al, Melbourne.



  - Al.

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