Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is a great place for birding, and that includes during the dog days of summer.
The 11-mile drive along the lake’s north shore draws a variety of birds. Sure, there are more birds and more species during fall and winter, but the former muck-farm-turned-wetlands is home to a number of species year-round.
Oh, and alligators … lots and lots and lots of alligators.
I made multiple visits there recently and was surprised by what I saw at this time of year. Take a look:
Common Gallinule mom and chick, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2024.American Alligator, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2024.American Alligator submerging with bubbles, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2024.Juvenile Little Blue Heron, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, June 2024.Least Bittern, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, June 2024.Western Cattle Egret with a snack, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2024.Black-crowned Night Heron, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, June 2024. Juvenile Tricolored Heron with spikey hairdo, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, June 2024.Anhinga, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, June 2024.Double-crested Cormorant, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.Purple Gallinule, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, June 2024.Tricolored Heron, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2024.Green Heron, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, June 2024.Red-winged Black Bird, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2024.Eastern Kingbird, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, June 2024.Loggerhead Shrike, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2024.Least Bittern, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2024.Tricolored Heron, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2024.
