Thankyou everyone for your input. Once I have my flights organised, I can then start to narrow down where I will go. I just wish it wasn't such a long flight!!!!
Gary Fairhead wrote in post #14490973
Hi Tina
I can't answer any of your questions as Canada is not Florida or Texas,,But I can bump this back to the top for some exposure to those that might be able to help. Don't worry about the driving , just stay on the "right" side of the road


Lol Gary, I do drive on the right side of the road!!
Funny story, just picked up our rental car in downtown Edmonton, on our way to the mall, and went the wrong way. So did a u-turn in a quiet suburban street with no line markings, so went on the wrong side of the road to turn back into the busy 4 land road I just came from, and ended up facing the traffic!! I ended up having to drive onto the footpath to get out of the way in a hurry! Lucky is was very wide, with a big grassy area in front of some accommodation. Twas a guy standing there, can well imagine what he was thinking!!! So twas a bit of a scare to say the least, but the rest of the trip was rather uneventful thankfully. Though on some quiet roads, when turning out of the parks, I did drive on the wrong side. First time my ever helpful son said, 'ahem, we are not in australia", and I am thinking, 'doh, of course we aren't", until I twigged to what he meant! Told him next time be specific!!
cfcRebel wrote in post #14492024
Howdy Tina! Happy to hear your trip to the US has materialised.

Spring time is great. Although you will miss the Spring migration if you have to be home by end of 1st week of April, you'd still see a lot of bird species in these two states.
I live in Austin, about 2.5 hours driving, northwest of Houston. We talked about Brazos Bend state park near Houston last time. Another one is Brazoria national wildlife refuge by the coast. These two should be great places to get some bird photos. And of course, if you also decide to make a stop in Austin, as your guide i can personally guarantee you seeing at least 50 bird species there, and likely to get some great bird images too!

If possible, arrange Texas towards the latter half of your itinerary. If San Antonio(historic city) is one of the cities your sons plan to visit, then I'll be your guide to Choke Canyon State park which is only 1.5hr south of there. Just went there 2 weeks ago (my 3rd trip there). Absolutely a treat for birders! The Brown Trasher almost let me pet her.

Wish i was more familiar with FL. I heard the Red-tailed hawks in FL is more approachable.

Thanks Fee, will pm when I have a bit more of an idea of my movements. I have only one stop in Dallas, so it has to be either on the way over to florida, or on the way back, and at this stage was thinking of on the way over. Maybe if I sleuthed some more, I might find a good airfare that goes into april, but unfortunately the one I have ends in march for going over. How busy does it get during the school holidays? Anyway, at some point in time my son will move to Houston, and then I will be able to spend some more time in texas, so this time round I will be concentrating more on florida. Plus won't be going to Houston I don't think, just want to explore a reasonable driving distance from Dallas.
Pauhana wrote in post #14492518
If you want to make the drive Ft DeSoto in St Petersburg can be very good if we have some weather fronts move through. Depending on traffic normally about a hour-half to two hour drive. Would suggest you check the following website
http://floridabirdingtrail.com/
This will provide you with birding sites in the Orlando area. (and the entire state). If you come over to St Pete let me know. If I am on spring break from school would be glad to take you to some of the various locations in the area. Hey don't worry about driving down here. In March all the snowbirds are here and none of them can drive, even on the correct side of the road.
thankyou for the link. I am avoiding the spring break though. Have discovered I can actually fly a little bit later on the cheaper fare. Thanks though. Lol, what are snowbirds?