Florida birders, give up your spots! (Please :) )

I am planning at some point later this winter, once I get the 500 F4 L I have been wanting to take a week or so off of work and circle Florida on a birding mission.

The following are some of my favorite spots to kick things off:

East Coast:

Anhinga Trail: Everglades National Park- Yes it is a tourist trap, and usually very busy, but I have always managed to come away from there with a good picture on any trip into the 'glades.

Green Cay: Boynton Beach- it may be two minutes of the turnpike, and in between dozens of gated communities (and you might have to fight a few joggers for space) but you will have no idea you aren't in the middle of nowhere once you get out of your car and onto the boardwalk at Green Cay.

Black Point Wildlife Drive: Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Titusville. Drive over the bridge from Titusville, take a look at NASA to your right, and turn left onto miles of roads going past great habitats, plenty of killer shots without ever getting out of your car (except to pay for the "honor system" entry fee, or hit the outhouse at the halfway point).

West Coast:

Ding Darling: Sanibel Island, Ft. Myers area- This place probably isn't news to any West Coast Florida Birder, and frankly I have had very good, and very bad stops there, but at the right tide, and the right late, Ding Ding Ding we have a winner (man that was a bad line huh? Miracle I found a girl to marry me with winning comedy like that.).

Corkscrew: North of Naples- Be prepared to put some serious hours into this stop, defintely not a stop-for-20-minutes-see-what-it-is-all-about sort of place. In fact grab some snacks and water and be prepared for a lot of walking. From dark tree tunnels, open marsh, cryprus lined ponds, you should see a lot in this slice of wilderness, and burn some calories.

Tamiami Trail: If you can take the time to slow down and look instead of driving 90 miles an hour trying to get across the state there are plenty of places to stop for a quick shot.

How about you, where are your favorite spots to shoot?

I in particular am interested in hearing west coast spots, maybe up by Venice and Tampa, where I haven't made it yet, but I don't see why this thread couldn't become the official POTN thread of stop worthy spots for the birder in or visiting Florida.

Also, there are two birds in particular I am interested in finding if any of you have any leads on them:
White Morph Reddish Egret. I hear there are a few of them up the West Coast, anyone actually seen one?
Crested Cara Cara: I hear these aren't actually too rare out in mid state cattle country, anyone have a reliable place to spot one? First saw one in Coasta Rica, and they are a crazy looking bird, would like to find one of the Florida ones.

Thanks,

Green Cay is it. Go early in the morning(it opens at daybreak) this is my favorite place.

I have seen quite a few Crested Cara Cara at the Viera Wetlands (a popular birding spot in Brevard County) just off I-95 between Melbourne and Cocoa. You can Google it and get a map and directions.

First if in Tampa Area make a trip to Ft DeSoto in St Petersburg. Also Celery Fields in Sarasota early in morning is worth a stop. Just a few minutes off I-75.

If you look here

http://ebird.org/conte​nt/ebird

On right hand side will see checklist posted. Select Florida. This will provide a listing of reported birds and their locations.

Good Luck

Near Sanibel is Bunche Beach. About a mile east of the bridge that takes you to Sanibel Island.
Park, go to the beach and turn right, usually very secluded and continue till you run out of parallel beach
you should be able to wade out to a small spit of land that puts you in really good position. The water is not a foot deep to get there.

Shark Valley is on the Tamiami Trial. I always see birds there, sometimes if the weather is right you will see many many alligators as well. It's a long walk, but if you want to see the whole thing rent a bike or take the tram.

The Everglades National Park. I agree Anhinga trail is always busy, but keep going down the main road and hit several of the feeder roads. Usually you will see something interesting. Also ask the gate guards and they have information. BTW, if you go really early they won't be there, just go through the gate and pay later.

Good luck!

I really enjoy this place in Delray Beach. Open 7am-5:30pm. No admission. Mostly boardwalk.

http://www.pbcgov.com/​waterutilities/wakodah​atchee/

anyone have any thoughts on where to see owls in south florida (aside from burrowing owls)?