Author: Roger Simmons

Roger Simmons is a longtime Florida journalist and Sunshine State native. He started RogerSimmons.com in 2001 as an outlet for his personal interests including the history of Orlando TV news and Central Florida sports. Now his focus is on learning more about Florida birds and photography. His Orlando TV content can still be found on this site under the Orlando TV category.

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Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West delivers on birding promise

Roger Simmons, November 6, 2024November 7, 2024

I spent more than an hour walking around the park and coming across many birds, including lots of warblers plus some birds of prey.

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Exploring, birding at Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas

Roger Simmons, November 6, 2024November 7, 2024

Overall, there were shore birds I expected to see and some other birds that I was a bit surprised to find so far away from the mainland.

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Why Central Florida is a birding paradise

Roger Simmons, October 28, 2024October 28, 2024

With some much geographic diversity, no wonder there’s so much birding diversity in our region.

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Egrets, eagles and other birds at Merritt Island

Roger Simmons, October 4, 2024October 4, 2024

I really enjoy visiting the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge for birding, especially early in the morning.

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Little birds and a little history at Brownie Wise Park

Roger Simmons, October 1, 2024October 1, 2024

I was specifically hoping to see some migrating little birds at Brownie Wise Park, but I got a business history lesson, too.

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Surprise at Brownie Wise: Bald Eagles are back

Roger Simmons, September 30, 2024September 30, 2024

The pair of nesting Bald Eagles I found at the Kissimmee park were there first I have seen in the area since May.

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Rewarding mid-morning visit to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

Roger Simmons, September 20, 2024September 20, 2024

This visit was going to be much later than my usual early morning trips to LAWD. I wasn’t sure what I might find there at mid-morning.

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Black-bellied Whistling Ducks at Orlando Wetlands

Roger Simmons, September 17, 2024September 17, 2024

These strange-looking brown, black and white ducks with pink feet have a special place in my heart.

Birds

Wonderful world of warblers in Lake County

Roger Simmons, September 15, 2024September 15, 2024

I came across five different types of warblers during my visit to the Ferndale Preserve on the west side of Lake Apopka.

Backyard

Yellow-throated Warbler makes welcomed return

Roger Simmons, September 13, 2024September 13, 2024

Perhaps it’s because I went to UCF and am partial to black and gold, but the Yellow-throated Warbler is one of my favorite little birds. So you can imagine how surprised and happy I was this week when a Yellow-throated Warbler visited my backyard for the first time in about…