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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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…

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Appreciating Lake Apopka’s road to recovery

Roger Simmons, September 12, 2024September 13, 2024

The variety of birds and other wildlife that you can see at Lake Apopka is pretty amazing, especially considering its sorry state just a few years ago.

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Barn Swallows stop by on their way home

Roger Simmons, September 3, 2024September 3, 2024

I was surprised to find so many Barn Swallows along Joe Overstreet Road, but their early migration let me see just how different their appearance can be.

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