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Author: Starrynight
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Photographs and article are copyright of starrynight
Introduction
Florida, USA was an ‘accidental’ trip. I was going to and back from Costa Rica and because the journey was so long, I decided to break my flight. Florida offers lots of wildlife / birds and I just need to supplement a small amount of $$ to stop over. After all, the great Arthur Morris hailed from this sunshine state so why not?
Some general info:
http://floridaconservation.org/viewing/whereview.htm
Getting there
However, I made the mistake to land in Miami, a place with reputation of high crime rate (well, u watch CSI Miami right?) On top of that, it is far away from Orlando which I will be doing my birding. So I got onto the rented car, drove immediately to the hotel in Miami (because my arriving flight was in the evening). Stayed in for the night and skipped dinner, next morning upon awake, straight to Orlando.
Driving in USA and Hotel
http://www.drivingabroad.co.uk/content.aspx?page=driving-in-the-usa&navid=19
Ask for a GPS system when you rent a car.
Hotel
Best Western Maingate East Hotel & Suites
4018 W Vine Street
Kissimmee , Florida
34741-4631,United States
Phone: 407-870-2000
Fax : 407-870-2010
Guide
I have engaged Jim Neiger, the legendary guy who took wonderful flight shots hand holding 500mm to help me in fulfilling my ‘American dream’. He charged approx US$250 per day (not per person) which was not cheap (especially after the exchange rate) but the trip worth every cent that I paid. Not only did he know the terrain and birds inside out but he was extremely puncture, responsible and a great photographer who was willing to teach. Check out his website for his fabulous pixs.
Jim Neiger Email: JimN@cfl.rr.com Website: http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/ Mobile: 407-247-5200
Jim had written a site guide and is being sold at: http://www.birdsasart.com/siteguides.htm
Another guide who is worth considering is Larry Manfredi
He is very patient in his email correspondence.
Larry Manfredi
Email: birderlm@bellsouth.net Website: http://www.southfloridabirding.com/
Birding area and birds
The area we toured is in Southern Osceola County and consists of a number of places that are accessed via Canoe Creek Road (SR 523).
Birds that I have gotten reasonable pics or sighted are:
Barred owl, Great Horned Owl, Sandhill Crane, Red-shouldered Hawk, Eastern Meadowlark, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Loggerhead shrike, Northern Mockingbird, Most of the Herons and Egrets (Not redish Egret or Yellow Crowned Night Heron), Bald Eagle, Black-naped Stilts, Glossy and white Ibis, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Moorhen, Limpkin, King Rail, Bobwhite, Woodpecker, Anhinga, Turkey Vulture, Turkeys, Pied-bill Grebes, Osprey, Caracara etc
Wildlife sighted includes raccoon, bobcat, squirrel, Alligator
Gatorland
This is a 110-acre theme park and the main attractions actually are the different size alligators. So please don’t drop your equipment in the water, no one will help you retrieve it … Surrounding the ponds and water area are tons of herons and egrets nests … they are so near that visitors can almost touch them. I had osprey fishing shots from this place.
Birding method
Something interesting is that Jim uses bird calling method in his birding. Not like us with tiny weeny little speakers, his were car mount giants. This method (I shall not go into the controversy of pro and cons) almost guarantee 100% success! In his pick up, there were multiple perches to choose from. So some species of birds are ‘invited’ to perch on what YOU prefer …. Haha … The trip do gave me an insight of how pros in US get about doing their work.
Other than the turkeys (with obvious reason because they are hunted), birds are less skittish compared to ours but definitely more than birds in Australia or New Zealand.
Sight-seeing and shopping
Relive the childhood in you as you visit Disneyland in Orlando! http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/index?bhcp=1
Visit Basspro shop for your camo shirt, camo pants, camo jacket, camo socks, camo boots, camo face mask, camo hat or cap … camo underwear??!! Often they have sale but for a small size fella like me, it is better off trying at the children section … If you don’t like camo stuff, can take a look at the fishing clothings. They are light weight, quick dry … great for traveling!
North America is a great place to bird … after all it is a whole new continent of species!
Photographs and article are copyright of starrynight
