I hadn’t been out to Orlando Wetlands since early May and I’ve been curious about what’s going on. So Lutfi and I met there about a week ago to walk around and do a little scouting.
As far as the park itself goes, they’re still working on the new Visitor Center. The hours remain sunup to sundown, and they also close now on Mondays so plan accordingly.
The views along the boardwalk and many paths remain very pretty and a little Cypress Tree fall color is showing.
Cypress and reflections (iPhone, 3 raw frames, stitched panorama)They’ve also put up some gates at the boardwalk entrances to keep alligators out. I imagine removing gators from the boardwalk was an interesting exercise for the rangers – and the gators!
As far as birds go, it was quiet. In addition to some regulars, we saw a couple Belted Kingfishers and an Eastern Phoebe, but no Roseate Spoonbills. Other birds that were breeding in the rookery last season aren’t there yet either, although this family of Black Bellied Whistling Ducks got an early start.
Large familyIf you’d like more info about which birds are there and when, see this eBird page: https://ebird.org/barchart?byr=1900&eyr=2023&bmo=1&emo=12&r=L452007. The winter populations should be increasing all this month.
Eastern Phoebe
Green HeronHere are a couple bonus landscape photos to close out this post.
Lake Searcy Cypress. This was too far away for my iPhone and didn’t fit in the viewfinder of my birding set up, so I made a 3 frame vertical panorama.The wind and water were calm. I find the resulting views irresistible.
Somebody polished the marsh mirror (iPhone, 5 raw frames, stitched panorama)The header image of an incoming Red-Shoulder Hawk really shows how they got their name!
Please check the park website for more info before you go: https://www.orlando.gov/Parks-the-Environment/Directory/Wetlands-Park. And if you’re interested in what’s out there, you can see (too) many Orlando Wetlands photos I’ve made in this album on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/edrosack/albums/72157639616792296
Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Stay positive, be kind, take care of yourselves and each other. And if you can, visit Orlando Wetlands and make some photos!
©2023, Ed Rosack. All rights reserved
Wonderful iPhone images!
Thank you for all the tips!!!
Thanks Dorothy. And you’re welcome!
What a lovely place to visit at any time of year. That new boardwalk certainly offers some unique photo opportunites.
The landscape images are really special, Ed. The “polished mirror” look is great. And if everyone who viewed the duck family didn’t say “Awwww” out loud, they need to check their pulse.
Really loving the cooler mornings. Take care and take photographs.
Thanks Wally. It is a wonderful place and almost as close to me as your nearby spots. Didn’t get out there over the summer but plan to see it quite a bit starting this month and next.
You and Gini take care too!
Good morning. Thanks Ed.
Thank you Kathryn
Those are amazing photos!!!!
Amazing photos, as always!!!
Thank you Vicki!!
I’ll definitely add it to the places I want to visit. Thanks for the link to stay informed. Of course all of your photos are beautiful but those with reflections are special! You are a true artist when you raise your camera to take photos!
Thank you Diane – you’re very kind!
If I have one issue with Orlando Wetlands, it’s that the park doesn’t open until “sunrise”. I like to be out photographing before then, so it’s a little limiting. But the reflection photos do make up for that, a bit at least!
Ed
Terrific photos and narrative about one of my absolute favorite places!!
Thanks so much for your kind words Carol!
I appreciate the wildlife and nature pictures in the same post, it balances out so nicely. I have not been to the Orlando Wetlands in forever, thanks for taking me along with this post. Thank you for sharing. P.S. I heard Sandhill Cranes had 2 colts recently.
Thank you Laura. I enjoy photographing both landscapes and wildlife. Looking for both subjects gives me a greater chance of coming back with something I like.
I’m planning to go by Orlando Wetlands again soon. I’ll have to watch for the Crane family.
Ed