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Archive 2007 · Florida trip need ideas

Mike Sports
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Florida trip need ideas

I'm leaving for Florida Friday night and will be staying at my father in-laws in Merritt Island the first week of April. I’m looking for some ideas do go photograph some wildlife. I’m planning to go to Merritt Island NWP but any other substations would be great. If anyone wants together PM me Thanks, Mike

Mar 29, 2007 at 05:37 AM

psimison
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Florida trip need ideas

Exit 191 to Vierra Wetlands. Also the water reclaimation spot on 50. You can drive north to the Alligator Farm. Also look at some of the Lakeland areas not too far away. Of course both sides of the highway at Merritt and down by the boat pier.

Mar 29, 2007 at 06:09 AM

Mike Sports
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Florida trip need ideas

Thanks, psimison

Mar 29, 2007 at 04:50 PM

JSeaman
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Florida trip need ideas

I second psimison's suggestions with some additional emphasis on the Alligator Farm in St. Aug. I doubt if there are chicks hatching yet but the birds should be in full breeding plumage and they should be numerous!

Mar 29, 2007 at 05:30 PM

bobsofpa
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Florida trip need ideas

St Augustine Aligator Farm is a good 100 miles from Merritt Island and you would want to be there early before it is over run by tourists (look them up on the web for their operating hours). Makes for a very early start. Orlando Wetlands on the other hand is much closer (less than 25 miles). For a good listing and description of many of the birding places near MINWR go to floridabirdingtrails.com. Since you are leaving so soon having them mail you their booklets would not work, But you can open them online and print the pages of interest. You would want the Eastern booklet. For some reason the Viera Wetlands are not in it which would be the number 2 place I would go after Merritt Island.

Also while at MINWR be sure to go out the road to Canaveral National Seashore. Just beyond (about 200 yards) the park entrance booth starts a short stretch of road where you can find Florida Scrub-Jays (endangered) about 90% of the time.

Mar 29, 2007 at 06:11 PM

Forrest Egan
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Florida trip need ideas

Viera Wetlands - saw some great stuff last weekend (check my thread and Parrott Head's, too)

Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge (has been a little slow lately)
- Black Point Wildlife Drive (when you exit, turn left, at the next stop sign turn left, a short ways up on your right is...)
- Scrub Ridge Trail (drive to the parking area, walk South a few hundred yards and there are typically a half dozen Scrub Jays in the area...when you exit, turn right...a short ways further up on the right you'll find...)
- Bio Lab Road (don't go all the way to the boat launch parking area, there's a turn off on the right and you'll drive along Mosquito Lagoon down to the road leading out to Canaveral National Seashore...turn right to get back to Titusville, on your way out you'll pass the Scrub Jay area Bob mentioned)

Saint Augustine Alligator Farm (I think it's more like 75-80 miles from Merritt Island...well worth the drive...like shooting ducks in a pond, no driving/walking around searching for birds, they're there, in large quantities and you'll get some nice close shots)

Mar 29, 2007 at 06:49 PM

Hersch
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Florida trip need ideas

The Blackpoint wildlife drive can vary from one day to the next. Not sure why. I have been one day when the birds were everywhere in great numbers and returned the next day and it be nearly deserted except for far away ducks. Use the info that Bob and Forrest give above. You don't want to miss the Alligator Farm if you are anywhere close.

Grant

Mar 29, 2007 at 08:24 PM

Mike Sports
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Florida trip need ideas

Thanks all I well try to make it to the Alligator farm and Viera Wetlands, if I can find it did a search but couldn't find directions. I hope to come back with some great images to share with all of you.
Mike

Mar 29, 2007 at 10:01 PM

Forrest Egan
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Florida trip need ideas

Viera Wetlands is at the Wickham Road exit (191) off I-95...head West (there's a circle about a half-mile in, go half way around and continue driving West)...about a mile further the paved road ends, there's a gate on the left to enter the water treatment plant. Sign in at the office, lately they've had a sign up saying you don't need to sign in (at least on the two weekends were were there), then continue West to get to the wetlands area.


	http://www.forrestegan.com/fm/viera_sat.jpg

Mar 29, 2007 at 10:16 PM

Mike Sports
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Florida trip need ideas

Thanks Forrest for the map. Your images are awesome. I leave in about 19 hours can't wait!

Mar 30, 2007 at 04:46 AM

Hersch
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Florida trip need ideas

www.alligatorfarm.us/
Click on visiitor Info, then directions.

Grant

Mar 30, 2007 at 11:14 PM

Mike Sports
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Florida trip need ideas

Thanks, Grant. Were leaving right now, Thanks all

Mar 30, 2007 at 11:23 PM


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