Adventures in Southwest Florida

Monday, October 13, 2025

8 Essential Tools and Apps for Planning Wildlife Photography Adventures in Southwest Florida

Planning a day of wildlife photography in Southwest Florida can feel like part art, part detective work. The birds, trails, and light are always changing — and that’s exactly what makes it exciting.

I’ve found that a little digital help goes a long way. One of my favorite new tools, eBird.org, makes trip planning so much easier. It shows me local hotspots, recent bird sightings, and seasonal trends so I know what species to watch for before I even lace up my hiking boots.

But eBird is just the beginning. Here are eight other tools and apps I use (or recommend) to help plan the perfect day of exploring, photographing, and connecting with nature across Southwest Florida.

🐦 1. Merlin Bird ID

Created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Merlin Bird ID helps you identify birds by photo, sound, or description. You can even download “bird packs” for Florida, so it works offline — perfect for quiet mornings at CREW or Six Mile Cypress Slough.

💡 Pro tip: Record calls in the field. Merlin can often recognize them instantly.

📗 2. Audubon Bird Guide App

A great all-around field guide for identifying species. It includes images, calls, and range maps, plus connects directly with eBird for recent sightings nearby. A must-have companion for any birder or photographer.

📍 3. BirdsEye Bird Finding App

This app pairs beautifully with eBird. It shows recent bird sightings, hotspots, and even alerts for rare birds in your area. I love using it to decide which preserve might be most active that week — especially during migration.

🌱 4. iNaturalist (Seek)

Not everything that catches my eye has feathers. iNaturalist helps identify plants, insects, reptiles, and just about anything else in nature. It’s community-powered, so you’ll learn from naturalists and photographers all over Florida.

🪶 5. BirdLasser

If you love logging sightings, BirdLasser makes it quick and flexible. You can export your lists to eBird and track your own “life list” right from your phone. It’s a lighter option for those who like simple, clean data entry.

🌎 6. Birda

A social-style birding app that adds a fun twist — you can track your sightings, join challenges, and see what’s being spotted nearby. It’s great for motivation and connecting with other local birders.

🌅 7. PhotoPills / The Photographer’s Ephemeris / Planit!

These apps aren’t for birding, but they’re indispensable for photographers.

PhotoPills helps you plan lighting, sun paths, and even star positions.
The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE) lets you visualize how sunlight and shadows move over a landscape.
Planit! simulates your exact camera position and angle — great for sunrise shots at the J.N. “Ding” Darling drive or sunset silhouettes at Bunche Beach.

🗺️ 8. Gaia GPS

A must-have for trail lovers. It lets you map routes, download offline maps, and mark waypoints. It’s especially useful when exploring more remote areas like Hickey Creek Mitigation Park or the north end of Six Mile Cypress Slough.

🌿 How I Use These Tools Together

When I’m planning an outing, here’s my workflow:

Check eBird for recent sightings at local hotspots.
Use Merlin or Audubon to study target species — calls, behavior, and habitats.
Cross-check iNaturalist for non-bird subjects like butterflies, turtles, or native plants.
Plan lighting with PhotoPills or The Photographer’s Ephemeris.

It sounds like a lot, but once you get the rhythm, these tools help you spend less time guessing and more time shooting.

☀️ Final Thoughts

Southwest Florida is full of life — but knowing when and where to look makes all the difference. These tools don’t replace your instincts, they sharpen them.

Whether you’re chasing Ospreys along the coast or exploring hidden trails deep in the sloughs, technology can be your quiet guide to better photos, safer hikes, and unforgettable moments.

Friday, October 10, 2025

🏕️ Essential Adventure Gear for Exploring Southwest Florida’s Wild Side

There’s something awe inspiring about setting out into the wetlands, trails, and coastal mangroves of Southwest Florida — camera in hand, ready for the unexpected.
Over the years, I’ve learned that what you bring with you can make the difference between a smooth adventure and a sweaty scramble back to the car.

Here’s what’s always in my pack when I head out on a photo mission or spontaneous hike.

📸 My Go-To Camera Setup

For wildlife photography, my Sony a6700 is the heart of every adventure. It’s lightweight but powerful, and when paired with a 100–400mm lens, I can capture everything from a tiny warbler to a soaring eagle without disturbing their space.

💡 Tip: If you’re new to nature photography, start with a zoom lens that gives you range without sacrificing sharpness — you’ll thank yourself the first time a bird lands just out of reach.

🥾 Comfortable Hiking Shoes

Florida trails can go from dry sand to muddy swamp in a matter of minutes, so good hiking shoes are non-negotiable. Look for something with breathable mesh and grip for wet terrain.
Your feet will thank you after a few miles of exploring places like Six Mile Cypress Slough or Hickey Creek Mitigation Park.

🎒 The Essentials in My Backpack

I try to keep it light — too much gear can take the focus off relaxing and enjoying the moment.
Here’s what always makes the cut:

🧴 Water bottle: Florida humidity means hydration is survival.
🌧️ Rain poncho & umbrella: Storms can sneak up fast — don’t let your gear get soaked.
🔋 Solar power bank: Great for long days when you’re shooting video or using GPS.
🍖 Beef jerky: Simple, salty, and perfect for refueling mid-trail.

🕶️ Sun Protection That Works

Southwest Florida sun doesn’t play around. I always wear a lightweight, long-sleeve summer hoodie — it keeps me cool and blocks UV rays. Add a wide-brim sun hat, and you’re ready for the brightest trails and open marshes.

🦋 Pro tip: Light colors not only keep you cool, but they also attract fewer mosquitoes.

🔭 Bonus Gear: Binoculars

Even with a telephoto lens, I love bringing a small pair of binoculars. Sometimes it’s nice to just watch without shooting — especially when a pair of Roseate Spoonbills or an Osprey glides by.

🌿 Keep It Simple, Stay Present

I’ve found that the best adventures happen when I’m not weighed down by gear. The less you carry, the more you notice — the sound of a Red-shouldered Hawk echoing through the trees, the shimmer of a dragonfly’s wings, or the quiet stillness before a gator surfaces.

In the end, the goal isn’t just the perfect photo — it’s to experience the wild heart of Southwest Florida.

🌴 What’s in Your Adventure Pack?

Do you have a must-have item that makes your outdoor adventures smoother? Drop it in the comments below — I’d love to hear what keeps you prepared on the trail.

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Part 3 - Even More Hidden Wildlife Trails in Southwest Florida: From Hickey Creek to Bowditch Point

Southwest Florida never runs out of surprises. Beyond the well-known preserves and popular boardwalks lie wild spaces where nature still whispers, water glistens in the morning sun, and wildlife moves undisturbed. These are the quiet corners that reward curiosity — where patient photographers, birdwatchers, and explorers discover Florida’s true wild spirit.

If you’ve already explored the trails from our first Hidden Wildlife Gems post, here are even more off-the-beaten-path adventures waiting to be uncovered.

🦎 Hickey Creek Mitigation Park – Alva

Hidden in the peaceful town of Alva, Hickey Creek offers a slice of old Florida filled with oak hammocks, pine flatwoods, and freshwater creeks. It’s a great spot to find gopher tortoises, Eastern bluebirds, and deer roaming quietly through the shade. The trails are wide and serene — perfect for a morning hike or slow wildlife walk with your camera ready.

🐦 Six Mile Cypress North – Fort Myers

While the boardwalk at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve gets the attention, the northern section is one of Lee County’s best-kept secrets. This quieter trail system winds through oak and cypress, with fewer crowds and plenty of Pileated Woodpeckers, herons, and butterflies. When the sunlight filters through the canopy, it’s a photographer’s dream.

🐊 Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve – Cape Coral

Where the Caloosahatchee River meets the mangroves, you’ll find Four Mile Cove — a mix of winding boardwalks and shaded kayak trails. White Ibis, osprey, and fiddler crabs make frequent appearances along the tidal flats. It’s a beautiful escape just minutes from downtown Cape Coral, especially at sunrise when the water glows golden.

🌴 Bowditch Point Park – Fort Myers Beach

At the northern tip of Fort Myers Beach, Bowditch Point offers a surprising blend of dunes, mangroves, and open shoreline. Pelicans, ibis, and even iguanas bask in the morning sun along the seawalls. Early risers will find some of the most colorful skies and reflective waters — ideal for bird and beach photography alike.

🌿 Koreshan Nature Trail – Estero

A walk through the Koreshan Nature Trail feels like stepping back in time. Along the Estero River, towering bamboo, stately live oaks, and relics of a historic settlement create a setting unlike any other. It’s home to turtles, snakes, and Barred Owls, offering both a sense of history and a living habitat for local wildlife.

🚲 John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail – Fort Myers

Stretching over six miles through the heart of Fort Myers, this linear park follows a quiet canal lined with native vegetation. Look for otters, ducks, and anhingas along the waterway. It’s paved, peaceful, and perfect for walking or biking with a camera in hand — especially around sunrise and sunset.

🦋 Prairie Pines Preserve – North Fort Myers

With wide trails that weave through pine flatwoods and scrub habitats, Prairie Pines is a haven for hawks, butterflies, and the occasional bobcat sighting. The open spaces and long views make it a fantastic location for wildlife photography or a casual afternoon hike.

🌾 Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve North – North Fort Myers

Boardwalks, oak hammocks, and wetland overlooks make this preserve a favorite for nature photographers. Keep an eye out for owls, wood storks, and turtles basking on the logs. It’s a peaceful place to slow down and connect with the quiet rhythms of the river.

🌴 Closing Thoughts

Every one of these trails tells its own story — of mangrove roots, freshwater creeks, quiet pinewoods, and the animals that call them home. Whether you explore them one by one or plan a weekend adventure across several, these hidden places remind us that Southwest Florida still holds wild magic waiting to be discovered.

Grab your camera, lace up your hiking shoes, and let curiosity guide the way.

💚 Plan Your Next Adventure

If this inspired you, check out Part One:

👉 Hidden Wildlife Gems of Southwest Florida

and Part Two: