Greetings and welcome to my photography website – I’m very excited that you’ve taken the time to stop by and visit! While here, please look through my photo galleries and blog.
I’m an amateur photographer and have lived in Central Florida for some time. I enjoy exploring the area and discovering wildlife, landscapes, and other photo ops that I can share on my blog at https://edrosack.com. I try to make each blog entry helpful to fellow photo enthusiasts by including links to information about the place as well as some hints on what and how to photograph while there. I also post additional photos I’ve taken in albums at https://www.flickr.com/photos/edrosack/albums so that readers can get a better idea of what’s at each spot and what the photo ops are like. My hope is that visitors to the area (and locals) can use the information as “photo scout” resources.
Please be aware that all of my photographs and original information on this site are © 1999 – 2019, Ed Rosack (all rights reserved). For permission to use my photos and / or information, please contact me via email. Also, if you’d like to buy any of my images, I can provide them at very reasonable prices.
If you have any comments, questions, or feedback about this website, please leave a comment on the blog, or email me at ed@rosack.com. Please feel free to also visit me on, Flickr and Twitter.
Enjoy the site and thanks again for visiting.
Ed
How does one join the birdrookery@yahoogroups.com ?
Lynn
Hi, Lynn.
I don’t think you can subscribe anymore. In May of 2011, they replaced the mailing list with a new Alligator Farm Blog: http://rookery.alligatorfarm.us/, where they post much of the same info. I think the mailing list archives are still available on Yahoo.
Ed
Hi Ed ,
I am would you be interesting in being an Guest speaker at our Club on September 25th and judge our in house competition.
I was thinking you could do a talk on places to go and photograph in the fall and winter in Florida ,
Let me know either way .
Thanks
Winston Belgrave
President of Port orange Camera club
Hi Winston,
I’m looking forward to speaking at the Port Orange Camera Club on November 13th.
Ed
Just found your blog today. My friend and I are interested in riding out to Lake Jesup to photograph the sunflowers. Do you know if they are still in bloom?
Hi Stacey,
The Lake Jesup flowers were in great shape last Wednesday (10/2) and Thursday (10/3). They should last a little bit longer before they start fading.
Ed
Ed, just discovered your blog. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I would love to go out and shoot sunrise this month at Jetty Park in Cocoa before the time change. Really like your images from the jetty. I live in Oviedo. Any chance you’ll be going back out there soon and I could join you?
Hello Zvia,
Thanks so much for your kind words.
I don’t have any plans to go over to Jetty Park, but it’s been a while so I need to make some. It’s a great place for sunrise. Sometimes they’re a little late opening the gate, so going before the time change is a good idea. I’d love to see your photos after you go.
Ed
Hi Ed, I just stumbled upon your blog while doing some research on some recent photos I’ve taken. While here, I thought I’d recommend a couple of my favorite sites in the area in case you haven’t tried them yet. I’ve found Spring Hammock Preserve in Winter Springs and Little Big Econ State Forest to be great both for hiking and photography. They both have multiple trails that prove nice for revisits and variety as well.
Hi Steven,
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the suggestions – I really appreciate it.
I’ve been to Spring Hammock Preserve a few times. It’s a nice place but I struggle with photography in there. I haven’t been into the Little Big Econ State Forest – I need to add it to my list.
Thanks again,
Ed
Hi Ed
I’ve just found your website whilst looking for places to visit and photograph around Florida next March. I’m in the states with work for a couple of weeks and have up to 3 days ‘free’ in the middle of the trip when I arrive in Orlando and plan to do some wildlife photography. I’m staying in a hotel at the airport and would apprciate any recommendations of the best places to visit in the area at that time of year. Any guidance would be really appreciated, I’m interested in anything wildlife related from birds to reptiles to insects to a good sunrise.
I’ve subscribed to your blog, great reading and pictures, and look forward to future updates.
If you get a chance check out my website and drop me a line some time. I’m always adding to the site and still have lots of UK stuff in particular to add, but there are a lot of images from Africa, India, etc. already on there.
Very Best Wishes
Mike
wildphotons.co.uk
Hello Mike,
I looked at your website – you’ve got a lot of great info and photos there.
March is a great time for bird photography around Orlando. There are some nearby places that would be good bets:
1. Gatorland in Kissimmee will have wild birds nesting. You’d be able to see many of our wading birds there along with their chicks at very close range.
2. Orlando Wetlands Park is nice too. I’ve seem many birds there along with deer, raccoons, otters, and lots of alligators.
3. At the Circle B-Bar in Lakeland you’d see the wading birds too. You’d also most likely see hawks, ospreys, eagles, Sand Hill cranes, etc) and have a chance at alligators, raccoons, bobcats, etc.
4. And you really should explore Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. You can see many types of birds on Blackpoint Wildlife Drive and East Gator Creek Road. At Haulover Canal you’d probably see manatees and dolphin.
Gatorland and Orlando Wetlands could be relatively quick trips from the airport. Circle B and Merritt Island would take a bit more time. If you search for any of these places on my blog or on the web in general, you’ll find a lot of info.
Good luck on your trip. I’d love to see some of your photos.
Ed
Hi Ed,
I’m a photographer in Michigan and I’m going to be visiting and staying in the Bradenton area next week. While doing a bit of research I came across your site. Very nice images. I especially like the half-sunken boat photo. I’d like to get some sunrise and/or sunset photos at a marina or someplace that would provide a nice foreground. Do you have any suggestions that would be within an hour or so drive of Bradenton to get that kind of shot? Any other areas you would suggest?
Thanks much.
Denny Woods
Dennywoodsphotography.co
Hello Denny,
Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with Bradenton so I can’t be much help about that area. I’m pretty sure you can find a marina there – almost every town on the coast seems to have one.
As far as other places to go in that area, you should try to visit Fort De Soto. There are some nice sunset (and sunrise) spots there, along with a great many birds and some other wildlife to photograph.
Good luck with your search and I’d love to see how your photos turn out.
Ed
Hi Ed,
I am new to FL and would love to go out to try some shots. What would be the proper attire to wear while out and about in the wild?
Hi George,
It’s a little hard to answer your question, since it depends on weather, location, and mode of transportation. I would say in general just dress for the temperature and consider long pants / long sleeves / and a hat – even if it’s warm – to help protect you from the sun and biting bugs. You can also use insect repellent, but be careful not to get it on your equipment. And Waterproof boots are always a good idea if you’re hiking.
Thanks for visiting my website and good luck with your photography.
Ed
Hey Ed! So glad I found a place to reach you. My associate and I own an architecture and design firm are designing the head quarters of NOMAD airstream in the state of NY. Through our visual research, we proposed a photo you took as a mural in their office (a photo taken at the Airstream Ranch —-> http://www.flickr.com/photos/edrosack/8539418603/)
I was looking for your e-mail to send you a visual of what will take place. We wanted to find out who took the photo and how to get the digital file in order to have it printed high quality for the wall mural. Of course we need to let our clients know how much it will cost to get your photo so we can go on with the graphic part of the project.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Great work!
Aboudi
abnormstudio.com
Hello Aboudi,
Thank you! I responded via email.
Ed
Hello Ed
I’m in central Florida a few times each year. While looking for places to take photos, I came across your web-site. You have amazing photos and the info has been so helpful! I did my first trip out to Merritt Island the last time I visited and it was incredible. Myself and another photographer are coming to Florida this month. Your site has so many recommendations, I was wondering what would be your top 3 places you would visit if you only had a limited amount of time? Also, would you be able to recommend a few spots for shooting sunset pictures? Any information you could provide would be great appreciated.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for visiting the blog and thanks for your comment!
That’s a very tough question. There are a lot of photogenic places around central Florida and so much depends on you, what you like to photograph, the time of year, and how much time you have available. Hopefully you’ve seen the contents / index page here: http://edrosack.com/contents-index-2/. That should give you an idea of what’s at each place. There’s also a column that shows the best time of year to see the spot. Gatorland in Kissimmee, Viera Wetlands, and Orlando Wetlands are usually good spots, although the wildlife may be a little scarce as it heats up.
As far as sunset goes, Lake Eola is a good spot and uniquely “Orlando”. http://edrosack.com/2010/04/04/dusk-at-lake-eola/
Good luck on your trip and I’d love to see any photos you make.
Ed
I have found your blog last night and it is truly a gem. Dare I say – timeless. I went back as far as 2007 and each post has great information and wonderful pictures. Thank you so much for this wealth of places and insigths collected through the years!
Hi Laura,
I’m glad you found the blog. And thank you for your comments. It’s very gratifying when someone appreciates my writing – I hope you find the info helpful. Florida is a wonderful place for photography.
Ed