Category: Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

Photographing darting Barn Swallows at Lake Apopka

Roger Simmons, June 23, 2024June 23, 2024

As the seasons change in Florida (as much as seasons change here), the birds in the area change too. And it’s the time of year for seeing Barn Swallows at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. I came across a group of them on Saturday. From my experience last year, I knew…

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American Flamingos – close but not close enough

Roger Simmons, June 23, 2024June 25, 2024

When I heard some flamingos were spotted next to the road to Playalinda Beach, I drove over to see if they might be close enough for some photos. But …

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Playing catch-up. Highlights from some recent outings

Roger Simmons, March 3, 2024March 3, 2024

My February included trips to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, Orlando Wetlands, Joe Overstreet Road in Osceola County and Merritt Island Wildlife Drive.

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Trying to do some birding in the new year

Roger Simmons, January 21, 2024January 21, 2024

Between clouds and rain showers, I was able to visit my three go-to spots for birding – Orlando Wetlands, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive – in the first two weeks of January.

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New birds, old birds on Christmas Eve at Lake Apopka

Roger Simmons, January 4, 2024January 4, 2024

I came across two new-to-me birds: A Grey-headed Swamphen and a Ring-necked Duck. Plus, I got to photograph some others I have photographed before.

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Five new birds added to my catalog this week

Roger Simmons, October 24, 2023October 24, 2023

The new birds are a Harrier, Hermit Thrush, Crested Caracara, House Wren and Red-tailed Hawk.

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Before I forget: Photos from weekend birding trips

Roger Simmons, August 20, 2023August 25, 2023

Over the course of the past three days, I visited three of my favorite birding spots: Orlando Wetlands (twice), Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island and Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. The Belted Kingfishers I photographed on Friday sort of stole all my attention, but I did get to take…

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What’s that bird? Maybe it’s a Yellow Warbler

Roger Simmons, August 20, 2023August 20, 2023

I’ve been birding since January, and just when I feel like I am getting the hang of identifying birds in the wild, one will throw me a curveball. Meet the latest to do that.

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Prairie Warbler: ‘Little House on the Prairie’ for this bird is in Florida

Roger Simmons, August 12, 2023August 12, 2023

Whenever I hear “Prairie Warbler,” I think of Little House on the Prairie and the Midwest. But this little yellow and black bird is a year-round Florida resident.

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.