Revisiting Joe Overstreet Road in Osceola County

Having a rare Monday off from work, and wanting to go birding at someplace other than my usual spots, I headed down to Osceola County to return to Joe Overstreet Road.

The only time I had visited this spot was in May 2023, and it was a bit confusing for me. It wasn’t anything like the Orlando Wetlands, Lake Apopka or Merritt Island National Wildlife Preserve.

It was just a road in the middle of nowhere that heads to a boat ramp for Lake Kissimmee. There weren’t any trails or parking lots. With cattle ranches or sod farms lining each side, you just drive down the road and see what you can see. Obviously May wasn’t the right time for birding here, because this January trip was much more fruitful – despite the on and off rain showers I was dodging.

Crested Caracaras, Bald Eagles, Meadowlarks, Robins, Kestrels were just some of the birds I saw and was able to photograph. And I have to say, the diversity of the cattle was also interesting – I had to take some pictures of them too.

I was glad I made the trip down to Osceola, and I’ll be back soon.