Florida After Hurricanes of 2004 and 2005: Effect On Wildlife Photography

South Florida was hit hard by hurricanes the past two seasons, with Charley in 2004 and Wilma in 2005 causing significant damage. What impact, if any, have these hurricanes had on bird concentrations at some of the popular locations for bird photography?

By the time of our visits in February 2005 and 2006 the local communities and staff at parks and preserves have done a remarkable job of clean-up and repair to allow visitor access to all birding locations that we frequent. The one exception was the Flamingo Visitor Center area of Everglades National Park, which was heavily damaged by Wilma in 2005, and had not reopened as of 2/24/06.

At all other locations that we visit there was no discernable change to bird concentration or activity directly attributable to the hurricanes. Interestingly, our best bird photography in 2006 was done on the Anhinga Trail and at Shark Valley - areas that were heavily damaged by hurricane Wilma.

Shown below are some photos taken in 2005 and 2006 after the hurricanes, along with some all-time favorite images, to illustrate a review of recent conditions at the best bird photography locations in South Florida.

In the late '90s bird photography at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island was simply fantastic. Back then, the one-way auto tour route was unpaved and dusty, but we didn't mind because photography was so productive. I can remember some days when you couldn't drive more than a couple of hundred yards without seeing something exciting to photograph.

A walk along the cross-dike yielded all kinds of herons, egrets, ibises, wood storks and roseate spoonbills - all habituated to people, and some less than ten yards away. The tidal flats were the stage for frequent feeding frenzies by wading birds and pelicans, while perching hawks and nesting ospreys compete for our attention and film.

After the turn of the century digital cameras started to appear on tripods, and paving of the auto tour route brought relief from the fine white blowing sand. However, bird numbers during the months of February and March started to decline, most noticeably along the cross-dike where water level was kept at higher levels than in the late 90's.

Ding Darling, today, is still one of the best locations in SW Florida for roseate spoonbill and reddish egret. Look for wading birds feeding on the mud flats at morning low tide; in late afternoon look for bird silhouettes against colorful reflections of the setting sun.

Although hurricane Wilma caused heavy damage to Everglades National Park in 2005 the Anhinga Trail and Shark Valley areas provided some of the best bird photography we've seen in SW Florida the last two years. The quantity of birds and diversity of species are back after a couple of slow years in the early 2000's. If you can visit only one of these two locations I recommend the Anhinga Trail.

From the time you hit the Trail at sunrise till the time your stomach starts growling for lunch the action is non-stop. You're photographing a wood stork walking towards you when a cormorant surfaces with a foot-long Florida gar in its beak, less than 10 yards away. In February 2006 we photographed the rare great white heron and the elusive American bittern on the same morning. You'd be very lucky to see either bird at any other location, and to photograph both within a quarter mile of each other is unheard of.

If you plan to visit Shark Valley keep in mind it opens at 8:30 AM, and lighting direction is not good for afternoon photography, unless it's bright overcast.

The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, near Naples, was another birding location hard-hit by hurricane Wilma. Its 2-mile boardwalk was damaged at several locations by falling trees, but it was repaired and reopened to visitors by the end of the hurricane season.

When water level around its ponds is low (during a dry year, or later in the season of a wet year) Corkscrew is alive with birds, alligators, otters, and raccoons. Of all the places we visit this location provides the best opportunity to photograph a wide range of species: long-legged wading birds, perching and clinging birds, owls, hawk-like birds, cormorants and anhingas. Corkscrew is the best location to photograph any of the four species shown above: pileated woodpecker, painted bunting, swallow-tailed kite, and barred owl.

Over the years Corkscrew has become my favorite birding location - you never know what you're going to see around the next bend in the boardwalk.

This rookery, located in the town of Venice, is the most reliable birding location I know. Wet or dry year, hurricanes, El Nino, La Nina, NFC or AFC football team winning the Superbowl - nothing seems to affect this resilient and productive rookery. Great and snowy egrets, great blue heron, black and yellow-crowned night herons, anhingas, and cormorants all nest simultaneously at this rookery. Many nests are built at eye level, providing unsurpassed viewing of newly-hatched chicks.

Birds are continually flying back and forth carrying nesting material or bringing back food to feed their young. Needless to say this location provides the best opportunity for flight photography. Bring plenty of memory cards, or film if you're still waiting for a full-frame 16-megapixel body that retails for less than $2000.

Other birding locations that are relatively unaffected by the recent hurricanes: Cape Coral for eagles and burrowing owls, Myakka River, and Six-Mile Cypress Slough.

I have been photographing wildlife in South Florida since 1997, and have enjoyed every moment. The thousands of fine bird images in my files, some of which are shown here and in the bird photo gallery, are indicative of how productive this region is for bird viewing and photography. If you're thinking about photographing South Florida my recommendation is to proceed and make your plans. Don't worry about the summer hurricanes you see on television. The wildlife, habitat, and the people who care for them are all very resilient. There will be plenty of outstanding photo opportunities when you arrive next spring.

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2005	2006	Old Favorite


2005	Old Favorite


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2005	Old Favorite	Old Favorite