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Florida Birds

The Best of Florida's East Coast at Nesting Season

The very best place to see and photograph birds and other wildlife during the frigid northern winter months is warm, sunny Florida. It’s at this time of year that the flow of people to the Sunshine State pales by comparison to the massive influx of birds that have flown south to escape the very same conditions. When these migrant flocks add to Florida’s already extensive resident bird populations, they put on a show found nowhere else. That is why Florida is considered a “must visit” winter location by birders and serious wildlife photographers from around the world.

Florida’s nesting season will be in full swing and the rookeries are abuzz with the sounds of chicks begging for their share of parental forage. At the same time, other birds are just starting their nesting season and can be seen and photographed as they carry large sticks back to their nest in preparation for their future family.

We get to see it all! Our Florida Birds photo tour coincides with the heart of the annual nesting season. We visit three of Florida’s most active wading bird rookeries, each offering something completely different from the next. These rookeries allow us access—often, just by a few feet—to active nests where we are able to photograph habituated great egrets, cattle egrets, great blue herons, American wood storks, anhingas, double-crested cormorants, tricolored herons and little blue herons, among others, at very close range.

Along with the nesting birds, the wetlands we visit are home to many other species, such as purple gallinules, limpkins, snail kites, snipes, white ibis, glossy ibis and black-bellied whistling ducks. By shifting our attention up into the trees and sky, we also find bald eagles, ospreys, great horned owls, red-shouldered hawks, northern harriers and crested caracaras. We visit a lake shoreline hot spot patrolled by snail kites and limpkins in search of the apple snails they rely on for food. The lake is also home to several active bald eagle nests and our tour is timed to coincide with the fledging of the eagle chicks. Besides the chance to photograph eagles perched in Spanish moss-draped oak trees at or near their nest, we also have the opportunity to capture eagles in flight, sometimes carrying fish back to the nest to feed their young.

We are by no means landlocked during our tour. In order to get up close to the action, we photograph part of our time from very stable pontoon boats. We spend one morning and afternoon on one of the most active osprey nesting lakes in the world, allowing us plenty of opportunities to capture these fish-eating raptors carrying nest material and fish to feed their young. The next morning we board our boat on another lake that is home to a very active roseate spoonbill colony. Often mistaken for flamingos, the vibrant pink roseate spoonbill is a Florida icon and a “must have” species for any bird photographer.

There are plenty of opportunities for bird portraits. But what sets this tour apart is the opportunity for action photography. Besides flight shots, we see the birds doing all of their other behaviors, such as nest building, fishing/hunting, courting, and sometimes arguing and mating. Capturing an anhinga with a large fish impaled on its bill while it swims nearby is a great prize—and happens regularly at some of our prime locations.

While we primarily focus on bird photography, there are many other subjects to photograph at most of our locations, including alligators, turtles, snakes, frogs and raccoons, plus a variety of other wetland creatures. Occasionally, we may be visited by river otters or a curious bobcat.

Join us to photograph in the best of Florida’s bird shooting hot spots. Great wildlife and exciting habitats, combined with the wonderful climate, make this an enjoyable and productive nature photography experience and a great winter escape. Here is, perhaps, the best possible Florida bird shoot—one you should absolutely not miss!

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive at Orlando International Airport. Take the free shuttle to our nearby hotel. We meet in the hotel lobby at 6 PM for a short orientation and our first tour dinner. (D)

Day 2
We are out before sunrise in our large, air-conditioned van heading to one of the premier wading bird wetlands in central Florida. Driving on the 11-mile roadway built atop a dike that borders this large habitat restoration project, we are never far from our van. This location has recorded 346 species of birds, the largest number of species recorded anywhere in Florida. Alligators are abundant. Following lunch, we visit a wonderful wading bird heronry where we shoot from boardwalks and trails, so bring your tripod for the best results. We have this afternoon to refine our skills with habituated nesting great egrets, cattle egrets, tricolored herons, and many more—often only a few feet from our lenses. (BLD)

Day 3
We reach our next destination just as the sun is rising. We shoot along the shore of one of the central Florida lakes that form the headwaters of the Kissimmee River. This morning, we concentrate on bald eagles, crested caracaras, limpkins, sandhill cranes, and many other species that call this lake home. After lunch we shoot at one of three active bald eagle nests in the area and our trip is timed for the fledging of the young eagles. We often have the chance to capture flight shots of both adult and young birds as they fly out over the lake in search of fish. Later, we head for our hotel in Vero Beach and gather for dinner. (BLD)

Day 4
Until now, our shooting has been land-based. That is about to change. We are on the road before sunrise for the 1-hour drive to a lake surrounded by moss-draped cypress trees. We board our private pontoon boat—built for stability and perfect for photography—and head out onto the lake. All photography while on the boat is either handheld or from monopods. If the morning is misty, we have great opportunities for interesting landscape images. As the sun rises above the horizon, our focus shifts. We are on one of the best lakes in the country for photographing nesting osprey. We spend the entire morning cruising from one nest to the next. We have the chance to photograph ospreys in flight, often carrying fish or nesting materials as they pass. We are back out on the lake in the early afternoon to take full advantage of the afternoon light as we revisit the best locations. By late afternoon we return to the dock and drive back to our hotel for dinner. (BLD)

Day 5
We load our boat and head out into the morning light on another nearby lake to a roseate spoonbill colony. We have ample opportunities to photograph these pink beauties with their spatula-shaped bills carrying sticks back to their nests. This is one of Florida’s truly iconic birds. We may see them at other locations during our tour, but on this lake we have our best access. While spoonbills are our main subject here, there are often other species nesting in the same trees, including great and snowy egrets, great blue herons, and more. By late morning we return to the dock. We continue our trek southward stopping for lunch along the way. In the early afternoon we arrive at our hotel in Palm Beach County. If there is still daylight available after checking in, we may have time to visit our next shooting location for an hour or two. (BLD)

Day 6
We are up early to visit one of the most productive bird rookeries in south Florida. Our shooting is from sturdy boardwalks and trails where we can use our tripods for best results. Here we find nesting American wood storks, great egrets, anhingas, double-crested cormorants, cattle egrets, great blue herons, and others. While you are busy shooting, your tour leader searches for the secretive least bittern. While not a guarantee, this is one of the easiest locations to photograph least bitterns as they climb through the bulrushes and spatterdock. Walking among the marsh plants we also find purple gallinules, common gallinules, green herons, tricolored herons, and more. Along the trail we may encounter river otters. We return in afternoon to shoot in the great evening light, then head back to our hotel and meet for dinner. (BLD)

Day 7
Our final morning finds us on our familiar boardwalk at dawn. We have the entire morning to improve on our shoot from the day before or to capture subjects we missed. We break at lunchtime and then begin the return drive north to Orlando. (BLD)

Day 8
Depart Orlando for home. A free shuttle to the airport is available. (B)

Tour Details

Mar 05 2026 – Mar 12 2026

Join Waitlist

Mar 12 2026 – Mar 19 2026

Join Waitlist

Mar 19 2026 – Mar 26 2026

One Space Available!

Fee: $6,195

Deposit: $1,500

Limit: 5

Activity Level: Easy

Single Supplement: $810

» Terms and Conditions

Tour Highlights

Photograph the world’s highest density of nesting ospreys by boat—in flight, carrying fish and at the nest
Shoot one of Florida’s newest American woodstork nest colonies with their chicks up close
Early morning photography at an active roseate spoonbill colony by boat as early chicks begin to hatch
Small group size—only 5 photographers
Trip features a wide variety of iconic “everglades” birds that now make Florida’s east coast their home
Includes all meals, lodging, boat and ground transportation, entrance fees, photo guide and instruction

Tour Leaders

Eric Rock

» Learn more about Eric and see Eric's upcoming tours and trip reports.

Testimonials

I got shots beyond my wildest dreams. My birds in flight shots were sooo improved. The close-ups I got of birds are simply delightful.
—Laura D.

The diversity of species we photographed on the Florida trip was amazing! The locations that were chosen were wonderful and I have never has so many birds so incredibly accessible as on this trip!
—Kathleen K.

This was my third Photo Safari. This tour met my expectations for the exceptionally high standards set for every Photo Safari tour. Everything outlined in the tour description was provided.
We were blessed with excellent weather. The birds were where our guide said they would be, and we were lined up by boat or walking to get the best possible light on the subjects. We were set up perfectly for sunrise shots. Everything one expects from a top-notch tour company.
—Norman R.

Trip Reports

Florida Birds
2025 Trip Report

by Eric RockView Report

Florida Birds
2024 Trip Report

by Mark ThomasView Report

Florida Birds
2023 Trip Report

By Mark ThomasView Report

Florida Birds
2022 Trip Report

by Mark ThomasView Report

Get Your Free Ebook!

Learn how to organize your images with Adobe Lightroom. Editing, processing, and storage. Renowned nature photographer John Shaw shares his tips and workflow.

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Tour Highlights

Photograph the world’s highest density of nesting ospreys by boat—in flight, carrying fish and at the nest
Shoot one of Florida’s newest American woodstork nest colonies with their chicks up close
Early morning photography at an active roseate spoonbill colony by boat as early chicks begin to hatch
Small group size—only 5 photographers
Trip features a wide variety of iconic “everglades” birds that now make Florida’s east coast their home
Includes all meals, lodging, boat and ground transportation, entrance fees, photo guide and instruction

Tour Details

Mar 05 2026 – Mar 12 2026

Join Waitlist

Mar 12 2026 – Mar 19 2026

Join Waitlist

Mar 19 2026 – Mar 26 2026

One Space Available!

Fee: $6,195

Deposit: $1,500

Limit: 5

Activity Level: Easy

Single Supplement: $810

» Terms and Conditions

Tour Description
Tour Description

The very best place to see and photograph birds and other wildlife during the frigid northern winter months is warm, sunny Florida. It’s at this time of year that the flow of people to the Sunshine State pales by comparison to the massive influx of birds that have flown south to escape the very same conditions. When these migrant flocks add to Florida’s already extensive resident bird populations, they put on a show found nowhere else. That is why Florida is considered a “must visit” winter location by birders and serious wildlife photographers from around the world.

Florida’s nesting season will be in full swing and the rookeries are abuzz with the sounds of chicks begging for their share of parental forage. At the same time, other birds are just starting their nesting season and can be seen and photographed as they carry large sticks back to their nest in preparation for their future family.

We get to see it all! Our Florida Birds photo tour coincides with the heart of the annual nesting season. We visit three of Florida’s most active wading bird rookeries, each offering something completely different from the next. These rookeries allow us access—often, just by a few feet—to active nests where we are able to photograph habituated great egrets, cattle egrets, great blue herons, American wood storks, anhingas, double-crested cormorants, tricolored herons and little blue herons, among others, at very close range.

Along with the nesting birds, the wetlands we visit are home to many other species, such as purple gallinules, limpkins, snail kites, snipes, white ibis, glossy ibis and black-bellied whistling ducks. By shifting our attention up into the trees and sky, we also find bald eagles, ospreys, great horned owls, red-shouldered hawks, northern harriers and crested caracaras. We visit a lake shoreline hot spot patrolled by snail kites and limpkins in search of the apple snails they rely on for food. The lake is also home to several active bald eagle nests and our tour is timed to coincide with the fledging of the eagle chicks. Besides the chance to photograph eagles perched in Spanish moss-draped oak trees at or near their nest, we also have the opportunity to capture eagles in flight, sometimes carrying fish back to the nest to feed their young.

We are by no means landlocked during our tour. In order to get up close to the action, we photograph part of our time from very stable pontoon boats. We spend one morning and afternoon on one of the most active osprey nesting lakes in the world, allowing us plenty of opportunities to capture these fish-eating raptors carrying nest material and fish to feed their young. The next morning we board our boat on another lake that is home to a very active roseate spoonbill colony. Often mistaken for flamingos, the vibrant pink roseate spoonbill is a Florida icon and a “must have” species for any bird photographer.

There are plenty of opportunities for bird portraits. But what sets this tour apart is the opportunity for action photography. Besides flight shots, we see the birds doing all of their other behaviors, such as nest building, fishing/hunting, courting, and sometimes arguing and mating. Capturing an anhinga with a large fish impaled on its bill while it swims nearby is a great prize—and happens regularly at some of our prime locations.

While we primarily focus on bird photography, there are many other subjects to photograph at most of our locations, including alligators, turtles, snakes, frogs and raccoons, plus a variety of other wetland creatures. Occasionally, we may be visited by river otters or a curious bobcat.

Join us to photograph in the best of Florida’s bird shooting hot spots. Great wildlife and exciting habitats, combined with the wonderful climate, make this an enjoyable and productive nature photography experience and a great winter escape. Here is, perhaps, the best possible Florida bird shoot—one you should absolutely not miss!
Itinerary
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at Orlando International Airport. Take the free shuttle to our nearby hotel. We meet in the hotel lobby at 6 PM for a short orientation and our first tour dinner. (D)

Day 2
We are out before sunrise in our large, air-conditioned van heading to one of the premier wading bird wetlands in central Florida. Driving on the 11-mile roadway built atop a dike that borders this large habitat restoration project, we are never far from our van. This location has recorded 346 species of birds, the largest number of species recorded anywhere in Florida. Alligators are abundant. Following lunch, we visit a wonderful wading bird heronry where we shoot from boardwalks and trails, so bring your tripod for the best results. We have this afternoon to refine our skills with habituated nesting great egrets, cattle egrets, tricolored herons, and many more—often only a few feet from our lenses. (BLD)

Day 3
We reach our next destination just as the sun is rising. We shoot along the shore of one of the central Florida lakes that form the headwaters of the Kissimmee River. This morning, we concentrate on bald eagles, crested caracaras, limpkins, sandhill cranes, and many other species that call this lake home. After lunch we shoot at one of three active bald eagle nests in the area and our trip is timed for the fledging of the young eagles. We often have the chance to capture flight shots of both adult and young birds as they fly out over the lake in search of fish. Later, we head for our hotel in Vero Beach and gather for dinner. (BLD)

Day 4
Until now, our shooting has been land-based. That is about to change. We are on the road before sunrise for the 1-hour drive to a lake surrounded by moss-draped cypress trees. We board our private pontoon boat—built for stability and perfect for photography—and head out onto the lake. All photography while on the boat is either handheld or from monopods. If the morning is misty, we have great opportunities for interesting landscape images. As the sun rises above the horizon, our focus shifts. We are on one of the best lakes in the country for photographing nesting osprey. We spend the entire morning cruising from one nest to the next. We have the chance to photograph ospreys in flight, often carrying fish or nesting materials as they pass. We are back out on the lake in the early afternoon to take full advantage of the afternoon light as we revisit the best locations. By late afternoon we return to the dock and drive back to our hotel for dinner. (BLD)

Day 5
We load our boat and head out into the morning light on another nearby lake to a roseate spoonbill colony. We have ample opportunities to photograph these pink beauties with their spatula-shaped bills carrying sticks back to their nests. This is one of Florida’s truly iconic birds. We may see them at other locations during our tour, but on this lake we have our best access. While spoonbills are our main subject here, there are often other species nesting in the same trees, including great and snowy egrets, great blue herons, and more. By late morning we return to the dock. We continue our trek southward stopping for lunch along the way. In the early afternoon we arrive at our hotel in Palm Beach County. If there is still daylight available after checking in, we may have time to visit our next shooting location for an hour or two. (BLD)

Day 6
We are up early to visit one of the most productive bird rookeries in south Florida. Our shooting is from sturdy boardwalks and trails where we can use our tripods for best results. Here we find nesting American wood storks, great egrets, anhingas, double-crested cormorants, cattle egrets, great blue herons, and others. While you are busy shooting, your tour leader searches for the secretive least bittern. While not a guarantee, this is one of the easiest locations to photograph least bitterns as they climb through the bulrushes and spatterdock. Walking among the marsh plants we also find purple gallinules, common gallinules, green herons, tricolored herons, and more. Along the trail we may encounter river otters. We return in afternoon to shoot in the great evening light, then head back to our hotel and meet for dinner. (BLD)

Day 7
Our final morning finds us on our familiar boardwalk at dawn. We have the entire morning to improve on our shoot from the day before or to capture subjects we missed. We break at lunchtime and then begin the return drive north to Orlando. (BLD)

Day 8
Depart Orlando for home. A free shuttle to the airport is available. (B)
Tour Leaders
Tour Leaders
Eric Rock
» Learn more about Eric and see Eric's upcoming tours and trip reports.
Testimonials
Testimonials
I got shots beyond my wildest dreams. My birds in flight shots were sooo improved. The close-ups I got of birds are simply delightful.
—Laura D.

The diversity of species we photographed on the Florida trip was amazing! The locations that were chosen were wonderful and I have never has so many birds so incredibly accessible as on this trip!
—Kathleen K.

This was my third Photo Safari. This tour met my expectations for the exceptionally high standards set for every Photo Safari tour. Everything outlined in the tour description was provided.
We were blessed with excellent weather. The birds were where our guide said they would be, and we were lined up by boat or walking to get the best possible light on the subjects. We were set up perfectly for sunrise shots. Everything one expects from a top-notch tour company.
—Norman R.

Trip Reports

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Learn how to organize your images with Adobe Lightroom. Editing, processing, and storage. Renowned nature photographer John Shaw shares his tips and workflow.

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Florida Birds