[Richard G]

Hi all,

Will be on our family holiday from Good Friday, staying in Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge. This is essentially a "Disney" trip for the kids, but I will be bringing my camera & lens with me.

Would I get decent photo opportunities for wildlife in/around the Disney parks? If so, which would be the better parks? We've also got trips planned to Sea World & Discovery Cove.

I have persuaded the other half & the kids that trips to Gatorland & Merrit Island would be a good idea, and I'm working on a private Boggy Creek airboat ride as some time relaxing away from the hectic theme parks.

Any pointers & tips for photography in our planned destinations would be appreciated.

Richard

[apbarr]

You will find great photo opportunities everywhere, we had White Ibis and Cattle Egret feeding from peoples hands in the parks as well as lots of stuff around our hotel on Highway 192. Blackpoint Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island has loads of photo opportunities and if you get time a drive down Joe Overstreet Road gave great views of E Meadowlark, N Caracara and Bald Eagle amongst others. My trip report on this site gives more details. I'm back in late May to try and pick up some new species and take better pictures. Good luck

[Birdbrain22]

I have been to Disney for family trips the last 10 years. You will see many wild birds and have many photo ops. I have seen Anhingas, all herons except YC night heron, all egrets except Reddish, Glossy and White Ibis, Wood Stork,DC Cormorants and Sandhill Cranes. There will surely be Boat-tailed Grackles all over place. Moorhen and Galinules can be spotted swimming in the ponds as well. I have even seen a Limpkin at one of the ponds at the Saratoga Springs Resort while on a bike ride. Any of these water/wading birds can be seen anywhere on property, including the parks. I have seen many of the passerines as well throughout the property. Be careful, the White Ibis and BT Grackles will steal your food right from your plate if you are outside. I have always seen turkeys, deer, and armadillos but you have to be looking. Each year I have also seen alligators at various spots such as in the hotel lakes/ponds, canals, and actually one swimming in the river at Animal Kingdom park. There is a walkway/path between the Wilderness lodge and Campground that you can walk for woodland songbirds, woodpeckers, etc. Although I have never walked this path, I have heard Barred owls calling in the campground after leaving the dinner show they have there. As a side note .... try the Boma restaurant at Animal Kingdom lodge... the best dinner buffet on property in my opinion. Good Luck!

[Richard G]

Originally Posted by Birdbrain22

As a side note .... try the Boma restaurant at Animal Kingdom lodge... the best dinner buffet on property in my opinion. Good Luck!

Reservations have already been made!!!!

Thanks for the replies both. Am really looking forward to this holiday.

Richard

[tupelo080135]

Originally Posted by Richard G

Hi all,

Will be on our family holiday from Good Friday, staying in Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge. This is essentially a "Disney" trip for the kids, but I will be bringing my camera & lens with me.

Would I get decent photo opportunities for wildlife in/around the Disney parks? If so, which would be the better parks? We've also got trips planned to Sea World & Discovery Cove.

I have persuaded the other half & the kids that trips to Gatorland & Merrit Island would be a good idea, and I'm working on a private Boggy Creek airboat ride as some time relaxing away from the hectic theme parks.

Any pointers & tips for photography in our planned destinations would be appreciated.

Richard

I was at Boggey Creek airboat rides in January and had great close views or Snail Kites. Also try the small area of Shingle Creek which is a lovely walk for the family , it is off 192. Turn first right past Wall Mart and follow brown signs. Bald Eagle and great views of Pilated Woodpecker to name a few. I was there most of January so let me know if there are specific birds you want to see as I found a few great sites.

[djludlow]

Brinson park ,Kissimeee ,good for Limpkin ,Snail kite ,Wood stork and lots more .Also Merrit island for Florida scrub jay and Manitee.

[Birdbrain22]

Originally Posted by djludlow

Brinson park ,Kissimeee ,good for Limpkin ,Snail kite ,Wood stork and lots more .Also Merrit island for Florida scrub jay and Manitee.

If you are going to Merrit Island be sure to stop by the nearby Viera Wetlands and search for the Masked Duck(an extreme rarity)... if it is still there at the time. It has been there for a few months now.

[tupelo080135]

Viera should be a must as it is a great place. I got the Masked Duck and it was awesome. Also try Lettuce Lake.

[csanchez7]

The Masked Duck is no longer at Viera Wetlands. It has not been relocated for weeks.

Carlos

[Birdbrain22]

Originally Posted by csanchez7

The Masked Duck is no longer at Viera Wetlands. It has not been relocated for weeks.

Carlos

Sorry about that... I checked before posting on a site(related to viera wetlands) that still had it under recent sightings. It must not have ever been updated though. Sorry for the mis-information...it would've been a great bird!!!

[davemangham]

Be aware, if you are planning a trip to Merritt Island, that:-

The Max Brewer causeway bridge is under re-construction! I was there beginning of March 2010 and the bridge was CLOSED, with no indication of when it might re-open. There is no warning until you reach the bridge itself. This means there is no entrance to Merritt Island from the South (Orlando area). The only entrance/exit is via the Kennedy Parkway (SR3).

L Pond Road is also closed.

Dave

[Mostly Autumn]

If you fly into Orlando International,keep your eyes to the skies for Bald Eagles and Ospreys.In Animal Kingdom on the Safari Ride I've seen a blue Jay,I've also seen them around our hotel in I Drive along with Kildeer.I've seen a Red Cardinal in the trees by the Tower of Terror and various other places.Egrets and Herons and Vultures are everywhere,also Ibis and Wood Storks.especially around ditches and places like Seaworld,also Anhinga.There are trees by Magic Kingdom where you queue for the bus where I've seen some great Woodpeckers who's name I've forgotten and various finches,also a Wild Turkey.In Busch Gardens there were Spoonbills on their nests literally feet away from me which was cool.One the way there,there's a motorway which literally has over a hundred Osprey nests along it,they're all on man made platforms and every post seems to be occupied.Brown Pelicans aren't to uncommon either,I've seen one of them on a nest in one of the theme parks,(possibly Busch Gardens) it was in a flower bed by the water.In the Everglades the Ospreys are amazing because you can go really close to their nests.As we arrived there I saw a Swallow Tailed Kite which is one of the best birds I've ever seen.Many of the birds I see I don't know what they are but I'll guarentee you that you'll have the best time.I love it there,birds seem so tame so you shouldn't have a problem photographing them..Also for Boggy Creek,get there before 11 because the birds and animals are more active.
http://spacecoastwatertours.com/default.aspx
http://www.bcairboats.com/accomodations.shtml
http://www.bcairboats.com/accomodations.shtml

[Mostly Autumn]

Also Loggerhead Shrikes on the hawthorn bush on I Drive,birds are everywhere,you can't go wrong.

[virgo10]

I live about 25 miles from Disney World. All the parks have a wide variety of birds especially the Magic Kingdom, probably because of all the water in that park. Attached are a couple from trips I made up there last year.

If you eat outside, do NOT leave your food unattended. The boat-tailed grackles will steal it!!

[JSO]

Richard,

You should have a good time at Disney, and to do quite a bit of birding while ensuring the kids have a good time. A few places in the Magic Kingdom worth remembering, for purposes of birding, include the area in front of the Crystal Palace. At the least, there should be some mallards around. The Crystal Palace is also a good place to take the kids for a character meal (breakfast being better than other meals - like most Disney establishment, reservations are necessary). Around splash mountain and frontier town you should find a lot of white ibis (or is it ibises, ibi?). I've also seen egrets walking around this area (amongst the other park patrons). There will be a boardwalk area around the waters surrounding Tom Sawyer Island. This is also a good birding spot, with the birds in close proximity to people.

If you head to Downtown Disney, hop on one of the boats that go to hotels along the water, such as Port Orleans or Tree Top Villas. They're free and will provide opportunities for cormorants, moorhen, egrets, herons, ducks, and other waterfowl. Alternatively, you could rent a mouseboat (or something larger), and navigate the waters for yourself. The last time I was at Port Orleans they had gum ball machines filled with pellets so that you could feed the ibises that hung out near the main building.

There are other opportunities on property to rent boats and explore WDWs waterways. Depending on the length of your stay, along with giving you a birding opportunity, it can give you a much needed break from the parks.

Enjoy your trip.

JSO

[jmpaddy]

Definately Gatorland although it will be alittle early for the rookery to be in full swing. Sea World is my favorite for birds but in FL. you'll see birds all over the place, in every little puddle, canal or drainage ditch. I even watch the Boat-tailed Grackles at every Walmart. Another great place to go is on the Gulf Coast-Homosassa Springs State Park for lots of wild and captive birds and manatees. (About an hour from Orlando)
Hope this helps.

[Richard G]

As an aside to my initial request, could I ask for some non-birding information from the Florida residents on the board?

I noticed over the weekend that there is a shuttle launch planned for Easter Monday at 6.20 am. I would love to see this but it will mean a very early departure from Orlando so am undecided whether to go for it or not. If I did decide to go for it where would the best place be to head for. I realise I'm not going to get anywhere near Kennedy!!!

Richard

[virgo10]

Originally Posted by Richard G

As an aside to my initial request, could I ask for some non-birding information from the Florida residents on the board?

I noticed over the weekend that there is a shuttle launch planned for Easter Monday at 6.20 am. I would love to see this but it will mean a very early departure from Orlando so am undecided whether to go for it or not. If I did decide to go for it where would the best place be to head for. I realise I'm not going to get anywhere near Kennedy!!!

Richard

You might be surprised at how close you can get. Last year my daughter and I went to one. We were able to get all the way into Titusville and sit on a pier that looks out over to the launch area. We got there an hour before the lift off.

Actually getting there was quicker than getting out. We even went across the street and had lunch after the shuttle went up and there was still tons of traffic 90 minutes later.

We were very lucky to see it go up on our first try. I always feel so bad for people who make the drive only to have it canceled at the last minute.

While it was fun, I enjoy it even more from my house. We are about 80 miles from the Cape and the view here is great. I'm especially looking forward to the one on Monday. It will still be dark so the launch should be gorgeous.

Best of luck!

[Richard G]

I'll post a full report when I'm back on my home PC, but suffice to say today should be our flight home day! We are currently stuck in Orlando but have been put up in a hotel until we can get on a flight home, whenever that maybe!

[Richard G]

Made it back to the UK a week late, but had really enjoyable time in Orlando.

Photoset now uploaded onto my Flickr pages - http://www.flickr.com/photos/2802155...7623967231148/

I'll post a fuller report in the Vacation Reports section later.

Richard

[apbarr]

Originally Posted by Richard G

Made it back to the UK a week late, but had really enjoyable time in Orlando.

Photoset now uploaded onto my Flickr pages - http://www.flickr.com/photos/2802155...7623967231148/

I'll post a fuller report in the Vacation Reports section later.

Richard

Where were the Snail Kite pictures taken? 3 weeks today until we're there

[Richard G]

Originally Posted by apbarr

Where were the Snail Kite pictures taken? 3 weeks today until we're there

They were taken at Boggy Creek Air Boat Rides. We paid a bit more so we had a private boat and so we were able to look for more specific wildlife.

Enjoy your trip.