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.

Lake Eola Park

Went to Lake Eola to see swans; I didn’t expect to see a bear, too

Roger Simmons, June 4, 2023August 11, 2023

Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando is famous for being home to five different types of swans. On Sunday morning, it was also home to a very lost, young black bear.

Birds

UCF Arboretum visit brings new birds, including Great Crested Flycatcher and House Finch

Roger Simmons, June 3, 2023May 4, 2025

With the temperatures in Central Florida starting to rise as the birding season cooling down, I decided to make a Saturday morning trek to the nearby UCF Arboretum to look for some little birds.

Photo Galleries

Pictures: Birds of Fish Hawk Creek Preserve South

Roger Simmons, June 2, 2023June 13, 2023

Over Memorial Day weekend, I visited the Fish Hawk Creek Preserve South in Hillsborough County, hoping to get some pictures of Eastern Bluebirds that had been seen there. Not only was I able to photograph them, but also several other different birds – include two that were new-to-me.

Fort DeSoto Park

Pictures: Fort DeSoto Park birds

Roger Simmons, June 1, 2023August 6, 2023

Some photos from my recent trips to Fort DeSoto Park, the county-run area near St. Pete Beach.

Birds

Pictures: Roseate Spoonbills at Orlando Wetlands Park

Roger Simmons, June 1, 2023August 11, 2023

Some photos of the Roseate Spoonbills at Orlando Wetlands Park, from January to May 2023.

All

American Oystercatchers: Meeting a special family

Roger Simmons, May 30, 2023August 11, 2023

I photographed a family of American Oystercatchers at Fort DeSoto Park, and I ended up learning a lot about these colorful birds and their interesting backstory.

Across Florida

My red, white and blue birds on Memorial Day

Roger Simmons, May 29, 2023June 13, 2023

I spent Memorial Day morning at Fish Hawk Creek Preserve South in Hillsborough County, and I was able to photograph a very patriotic trio of new-to-me birds.

All

Pictures: Northern Parula

Roger Simmons, May 25, 2023August 11, 2023

Photos I took of some Northern Parulas, who were at Orlando Wetlands Park in May 2023.

All

Take 2: Another chance at Northern Parula

Roger Simmons, May 23, 2023June 13, 2023

It took an emergency plane landing (really!), but I got another chance to photograph a Northern Parula — the nemesis bird I posted about recently.

All

Second chance: Shots that didn’t make it before

Roger Simmons, May 23, 2023June 13, 2023

Fortunately for my Facebook friends, I usually only post a few photos there or here. But there are a lot of photos I still liked that just didn’t make the initial cut for one reason or another.