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.

Birds

Expected and unexpected birds at Merritt Island

Roger Simmons, July 30, 2023August 5, 2023

One of the things I love about visiting the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is you never know what you might see. On Sunday, July 16, I saw some birds I expected and one that was unexpected.

Birds

Better view of Barn Swallows, others at Lake Apopka

Roger Simmons, July 26, 2023August 5, 2023

Even though it’s the slow summer season for birding, I know that a visit to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive will usually supply something memorable. And that was the case when I visited on Saturday, July 22.

Birds

Dancing Reddish Egret, its imitator and an Osprey splashdown

Roger Simmons, July 26, 2023August 5, 2023

A quick Sunday morning trip to Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island was worth it with a Reddish Egret, Little Blue Heron and one very wet Osprey.

Birds

Merritt Island trip nets two new birds and some familiar ones

Roger Simmons, July 3, 2023August 5, 2023

With the addition of two new birds that I spotted on Sunday at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, my Birds Catalog total now is 120. The two newcomers came from high and low.

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Barn Swallows at Lake Apopka: Challenging task for me

Roger Simmons, June 28, 2023August 5, 2023

I visited Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive this past Sunday knowing I would see a lot of different birds there but hoping to see one kind in particular: Barn Swallows.

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More to see at UCF than just the Knights? How about these birds

Roger Simmons, June 22, 2023August 5, 2023

UCF is one of my favorite places to spend time in the fall, cheering on the Knights football team with my family and friends. But it’s also become a place I like to go to in the spring and early summer, thanks to the variety of birds that call the UCF Arboretum home.

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Meeting an Eastern Bluebird family at UCF Arboretum

Roger Simmons, June 22, 2023August 5, 2023

I drove almost 2 hours to a preserve in Hillsborough County to see my Eastern Bluebird. Little did I realize there was a family of Eastern Bluebirds about 15 minutes from my house at the UCF Arboretum.

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Sometimes you look for birds but end up with deer, squirrel and rabbit

Roger Simmons, June 20, 2023August 5, 2023

While the birds seemed to be preparing for some upcoming stormy weather, I found out that others at the UCF Arboretum were going about their usual routines.

Birds

Carolina Wren welcomes the morning at UCF Arboretum

Roger Simmons, June 19, 2023August 11, 2023

Morning is the best time for birding, which isn’t easy for me since I am not a morning person. But on a sunrise trip to the UCF Arboretum on June 9, I heard a familiar wake-up call. It was a Carolina Wren.

Birds

Lake Eola’s swans: Unusual birds with an interesting history

Roger Simmons, June 11, 2023June 13, 2023

The Lake Eola swans have been iconic symbols of downtown Orlando’s central park for more than 100 years. Last weekend I went to the park to photograph the swans, which prompted me to learn more about them.