Feathered Fun IN FLORIDA - bird photography

PSA Journal, July, 2000 by Marilyn Cloran, Rick Cloran

The southern Gulf Coast of Florida is one of the best birding and bird photography locations in the country. Not only does it provide an excellent habitat for many species, but it is also a key location on the north-south migratory routes. This said, while bird photography is good almost year round, we prefer it during the fall and spring migrations. If you are on a tighter budget, the fall migration (October - early December) should be your choice. The tradeoff: you give up breeding plumage for off-season rates. The "season" generally starts after Christmas and runs until Easter. Rates are definitely higher and the traffic is definitely worse. The upside for the period from February through May is that many of the birds are showing off their breeding plumage and colors, which can be quite a change from their non-breeding plumage.

One key point to keep in mind is that Ding Darling National Wildlife refuge is closed to drive-through traffic on Fridays. The closest access to the area is through the Ft. Myers airport. You can be on Sanibel within an hour of landing. You can also fly into Tampa and drive down. This is about a 2 1/2- to 3-hour drive, but can make a real difference in your airfare.

If you want to check out the tides when planning your trip and you have Internet access, try going to http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/ nph-tideshow.cgi. Click on "select a different site" at the bottom of the page then pick US Gulf Coast East to West and then Point Ybel. Once there you can put in the dates that you will be in the area and get the tide charts for that time, including the height of the tides. This is important since a low tide in this area can run from +1.5 feet to - 2.5 feet. For the best activity, you want to see low tides in the minus numbers. You may also notice that you will have a day with only one tide or a day with three tidal changes. The information is correct.

REALITY IS--

Reality test #1--The myth is that you can shoot with short lenses in Florida. You can, but you won't be happy with the image size. Limited beach bird shooting can be done at 200mm, but even these highly acclimated birds are being "pressed" when you try to work that close. Yes, people walk and jog closer. They are moving (and even then the birds are skittish). You won't be moving, so you are more of a threat. Don't crowd your subjects! The larger beach birds (Ibis, Snowy Egrets, etc.) do become preoccupied with feeding and will allow you in for frame filling shots using a 300mm lens. When you start working the smaller birds you will need a 2x (for 600) and may need to go out to 1000mm (500 with 2x & extension tube to focus more closely) to work the peeps (Sanderlings), etc.

Note that we keep saying beach birds. They are just that, the birds you find on the resort beaches that are highly acclimated to human presence. In Ding Darling, at Venice, or in the other reserves, plan on 400-800 mm minimum. It is not at all uncommon to work a 500mm or 600mm lens with both 1.4x and 2x converters. If you don't own at least a 400mm and you are going to Florida for serious bird photography, as opposed to a relaxing vacation, consider renting (or borrowing) a 500 mm lens. We recommend a 500 mm focal length because you can typically get f4.0 or f4.5 speed at about 5-6 lbs. in weight.

Reality test #2--The myth is that mosquitoes are well controlled. They may be, but the no-see-ums will leave nothing but bones. No-see-ums are dust spec-sized bugs that go through clothing and screens to swarm and attack you. In a good breeze during the day you can work without insect repellent. On hot overcast days, early, late, or when there is no breeze, you need insect repellent. Something with 100% Deet is the answer. The down side is that 100% Deet dissolves plastic. Rick has a nice set of fingerprints etched into his incident meter. They are much less prevalent at the beaches than in Ding Darling or the swampy reserves. As long as you are willing to put up with the Deet during the day and remember to wipe the inside of your fingers and palms off with a towel or on your jeans, etc. you shouldn't encounter problems.

FILM

You can use almost any film. We prefer E-6 emulsions and currently shoot Fuji Sensia II (ASA 100) as our `bulk' film and shoot Ektachrome 100S (not SW), Fuji Provia, or Fuji Astia for special opportunities. Rick prefers the Provia for low-contrast lighting, but up until our last trip had pretty much gone over to the E 100S. On our most recent trip in November 1999 we tried the new Ektachrome 100VS. Based on the results, it will probably replace the E 100S and Astia. At the time of this article a new Fujichrome, Provia 100F, has been released. We won't have a chance to test it until May, but have had preliminary reports that the grain and pushability are outstanding. We do use Velvia for a slow film, but are not in love with its rendering of blues and some greens.

EQUIPMENT

Tripod--a must and make sure it goes to eye level without extending the center post.