Birding in Central Florida

[sugarzebra]

Our family will be in Kissimmee from March 6-16th and I'm planning on spending a day 'shooting' some birds. Can anyone point me to the best place to go? I've heard the Viera Wetlands near Cocoa Beach are good but I'd greatly appreciate any recommendations.

Thanks in advance.

[canonloader]

You lucky dog.

[sugarzebra]

Originally Posted by canonloader

You lucky dog.

Mitch, I tried to convince my wife to drive to Florida so we could stop at your back yard and then whip over to Alabama to find Gary's spots, but alas she would have nothing to do with it ....maybe next time

[EZRider]

Scott I would be happy to help but I will be snowboarding in Vail from the 4th to the 11th.
If you plan on shooting after the 11th I would be happy to accompany you. If you go before I return and want to check out a few local Kissimme spots for a half day I can help also.

Viera is a sweet place for sure. You could make a day out it with family also. Drop them off at the beach and head to the wetlands to shoot, pick them up and hit the wetlands on the way back for the afternoon light
Distance between the beach and Viera is about 30min drive or less. Very easy to get to, also in the area is Black Point Drive, here is a GREAT thread from Black point drive a few days ago. http://www.2ndlight.com/fusetalk/for...&enterthread=y

Where at in Kissimmee are you staying? I live about 30min from Disney. I've got a few places I viset minutes from my house on Lake Toho. Been to busy latly but last post is from the Eagles nest I viset. The babys are at least twice the size from the last post. Overcast skys again today but the weekend is supposed to be nice so I will be there to shoot if weater permits. Yesterday I blew it when I had time to head to the coast to shoot the shuttle, thinking the weather may scrub the launch I stayed land locked and of course it went up Next launch is set for the 11th and its a night launch http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html Night launches are by far the most spectacular! This would be on my list of things to do if I were you, bring the family get a room on the beach, have fun on the beach for the day, check out the wetlands, have a good dinner and head up the coast to Titusville for the launch. Something you and your family would remember for a long time. Now the only draw back would be a scrub it has happend to me MANY times but still for you worth the chance to see. I remember one night launch got scrubed at t-minus 10 seconds. What a bummer but I have seen at least 20+ launches so far and always have a good time. The best day is hitting the wetlands in the am, doing some longboarding during the day and then seeing the shuttle go up Now that is a perfect day I've had a few of those.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the area.

Stephen

[Reyno]

Although I haven't been there in a while, Viera is highly recommended and so is Merritt Island NWR, Black Point in particular. Other areas of birding interest are Joe Overstreet Landing and Three Lakes Wildlife Mgt area in Kenansville, Orlando Wetlands and Blue Heron Wetlands in Christmas. Good luck and enjoy !!!

[sugarzebra]

Thanks Stephen. We have a timeshare condo at Parkway International which is basically at I-4 & 192. We generally head over to Cocoa once or twice when we are there so I'm excited about making the 11th one of those days and hopefully the shuttle will be on schedule....we already have tickets for Bay Hill that day, but could easily be in Titusville for a night launch.

[sugarzebra]

Originally Posted by Reyno

Although I haven't been there in a while, Viera is highly recommended and so is Merritt Island NWR, Black Point in particular. Other areas of birding interest are Joe Overstreet Landing and Three Lakes Wildlife Mgt area in Kenansville, Orlando Wetlands and Blue Heron Wetlands in Christmas. Good luck and enjoy !!!

Thanks Reyno...I'll print all these places off and check them out as well. Its hard to believe that in four weeks we will be there.

[EZRider]

No problem Scott.

I feel the same way about Vail Less then a month... Woo Hoo!

Just got in from a ride to TRY to get into boarding shape! My legs are killing me But I'll be ready!

[Reyno]

Originally Posted by EZRider

No problem Scott.

I feel the same way about Vail Less then a month... Woo Hoo!

Just got in from a ride to TRY to get into boarding shape! My legs are killing me But I'll be ready!

Good for you Stephen...enjoy !!! Me, I'm stuck here till mid-spring, heck I've only been able to do one sortie this year

[sugarzebra]

Originally Posted by EZRider

No problem Scott.

I feel the same way about Vail Less then a month... Woo Hoo!

Just got in from a ride to TRY to get into boarding shape! My legs are killing me But I'll be ready!

I can feel your pain...I'm leaving in two weeks for a snowmobile trip to James Bay.... we trailer the sleds about 500 miles from here and then head another 550 miles on the sleds. We will need the Florida trip just to warm up If you like snow boarding you need to put a snowmobile trip on your list of things to do!

[equetefue]

Orlando wetlands, but no.1 in my list is Viera

[sugarzebra]

Originally Posted by equetefue

Orlando wetlands, but no.1 in my list is Viera

Thanks Edwin...I cant wait to get there!

[mrbass111]

if you come over beachside. the brevard county sewer plant located just south of melbourne beach on A1A. used to be a great place to get pictures. especcially ducks. i have not been there in years but their number is 321-952-6363. ive also heard that there some birding at turkey creek park in palm bay fl..

[sugarzebra]

Originally Posted by mrbass111

if you come over beachside. the brevard county sewer plant located just south of melbourne beach on A1A. used to be a great place to get pictures. especcially ducks. i have not been there in years but their number is 321-952-6363. ive also heard that there some birding at turkey creek park in palm bay fl..

Thanks for the number & I'll give them a call when we are there. Sounds close to the Viera wetlands, so we will be close by.