Best places for Birding in Florida?

So does anyone have any recommendation for around Florida? I live in Saint Augustine and really want to do more birding but have struggled to find anything other than pelicans and a few other sea birds. I really want some place that I can photograph some falcons somewhere near me. We have Ospreys around right now but I really want some eagle pictures.

do a search on e-bird. You should be able to find eagles that are in your area.

Thank Kayak274... That is great!!

ThomasDidymus wrote in post #17881994
I live in Saint Augustine and really want to do more birding but have struggled to find anything other than pelicans and a few other sea birds.

Seriously; are you new to the area? Have you not gone to the Rookery at the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine? It is a mecca for bird photographers from all over the world and there you will find all types of Herons, Cattle Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Spoonbills and many other species; all nesting there.

I wish I lived in St. Augustine. Below are a few images I captured there at the rookery; all in a single 4 day period.

My go to guy here for Eagle info is Duane N. I am sure he can help you with any Eagle info.

IMAGE LINK: http://s60.photobucket​.com …edia/TriColor3-1.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s60.photobucket​.com …dia/SnowyEgret-1.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s60.photobucket​.com …a/CattleEgret3-1.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s60.photobucket​.com …ia/GreatEgret1-1.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s60.photobucket​.com …/media/WoodDuck​1.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s60.photobucket​.com …le1/media/Spoon​2.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s60.photobucket​.com …edia/EgretChick​2.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s60.photobucket​.com …ale1/media/sign​1.jpg.html

Honestly Other than doing some photos downtown and for family things. I really have not do a lot of exploring. I have lived in Saint Augustine for over 14 years. Some stuff just got old quick but I will be checking out the alligator farm again soon. I forgot all about Rookery. Great shots.

ThomasDidymus wrote in post #17885137
Honestly Other than doing some photos downtown and for family things. I really have not do a lot of exploring. I have lived in Saint Augustine for over 14 years. Some stuff just got old quick but I will be checking out the alligator farm again soon. I forgot all about Rookery. Great shots.

We are frequent visitors to Saint Augustine. We love it. That said, we didn't discover the rookery at the Alligator farm until a few years ago. I thought it was just a tourist trap... lots of gators. If you've seen one, you've seen them all. Then I stumbled upon POTN and the rookery came up. Since then, I am at the Rookery every week from beginning until the end. It's great fun. It's also interesting.

The rookery is sort of a happy accident. The Alligator farm started out as just that: a place to breed and raise alligators. The birds discovered the place on their own. They found out that all those gators kept their nests safe. The gators kept all the tree climbing, egg stealing animals away. So the eggs are safe... and so are the chicks.

Anyway, it's a great place to watch nature up close and personal. The birds are wild, but are used to humans so they aren't camera shy. You get to see them putting on a show for each other, breed, build their nests.... and then you get to see the chicks up very close. It's a blast.

Well I am now a photography member at the Alligator Farm. I plain to be there most Wednesdays as I work with Anastasia Baptist Church Wednesday nights so I have free time in the morning so I plain to be at the Rookery. Thank for all the suggestions.

ThomasDidymus wrote in post #17890508
Well I am now a photography member at the Alligator Farm. I plain to be there most Wednesdays as I work with Anastasia Baptist Church Wednesday nights so I have free time in the morning so I plain to be at the Rookery. Thank for all the suggestions.

So what's happening there today? I haven't been up since last year. I called the other day and they said a pair of Spoonbills as in.... but nothing more.

Any more showing up since then?

There were a pair of spoonbills there last week. I am real new to birding so forgive me for not knowing ever type but there were also quite a few long and curved beaked birds that were feeding from the water. I really like some of the exotic birds that they have there and took quite a few pictures of the white cockatoo that I remembered being there.. Wednesday I will be their as soon as I get around as the Photography pass get me unlimited and early entry. It also get you an entry into their photo contest which has a three $300 2nd place prizes and the grand prize is $1200 and it ends in July so.

ThomasDidymus wrote in post #17891031
There were a pair of spoonbills there last week. I am real new to birding so forgive me for not knowing ever type but there were also quite a few long and curved beaked birds that were feeding from the water. I really like some of the exotic birds that they have there and took quite a few pictures of the white cockatoo that I remembered being there.. Wednesday I will be their as soon as I get around as the Photography pass get me unlimited and early entry. It also get you an entry into their photo contest which has a three $300 2nd place prizes and the grand prize is $1200 and it ends in July so.

I have a season pass there too.... but I didn't know about the photo contest. Thanks for the information.

From where you are it would be worthwhile to take a trip to Merritt Island National Park. There is usually something
there to photograph all the time. Beside that it is just a damn wonderful place to be.

Take your time and get a map and look at all the trails not just the main ones. I have seen deer, bear, every bird species imaginable
and you can also see the NASA buildings as well.

Good luck.

Viera Wetlands is another couple exits South of Merritt Island off Rt 95, prolly 90 minutes or so from you and well worth a visit.