Winter Tours in Florida from Merrit to Tampa Bay

Merritt Is. / Fort Desoto / The Tampa Rookery

Merritt Jan 27th & 28th

Desoto/Tampa/ Feb 1,2 &5

"There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night and spring after winter." – Rachel Carson

Designed for photographers interested in capturing the diverse avian life and stunning landscapes of Florida. We focus on accessing  remote and prime locations seldom seen even by most fishermen. The small flat bottomed  boat allows me to navigate shallow areas for optimal positioning, ensuring we maximize our time with the birds and landscape in best light , all provided by mother nature.

The boat allows us to navigate shallow areas for optimal positioning, ensuring we maximize our time for dynamic wildlife and landscape shots.Please let me know which location you are interested in booking so I can give you all available dates and times for that location. Then I will secure your date and time and send you a google map to the departure landing. We can secure your spot and discuss the specific species and conditions you can expect to photograph.

Location 1/ Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Merritt Island adventures by boat -Florida — Lowcountry Safaris | Eric Horan

These are specialized photo tours by boat within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, we  will be focused on the unique opportunities in the Mosquito Lagoon and around the Haulover Canal.

All Merritt Island trips include  visiting  a wading bird rookery,  not accessible from land  and nonstop action in the Haulover Canal, which moves all of the tidal flow from the inside to the ocean side and back again . We'll photograph diving birds from Kingfisher to osprey and Brown Pelican fishing as well as  the wading birds on the edges getting their share of the bounty. This is an opportunity to photograph a variety of birds in their natural habitats.

Location 2/ Fort Desoto

These trips are more about the staggering beauty of the sea and waterscape environment at Desoto. Most bird photography will be about making gorgeous environmental portraits rather than just another bird shot. We will see lots of shore and wading birds including Spoonbill and Reddish Egret. These are beautiful trips whether it be early morning or late afternoon

Location 3/ Tampa Bay Rookery (required 600 mm or more)

Ft Desoto State Park / Tampa Bay Rookery / Wildlife tours by boat — Lowcountry Safaris | Eric Horan

This is another wading bird rookery with most species represented on the island including the Spoonbill and Reddish Egret. We will primarily be sitting in the boat or standing in the water. Stationary for long periods with occasional moves for a different perspective. But the shots we'll be going for primarily will be flight shots with birds coming from and going to the island

For all photographers interestested in an intimate outdoor adventure with the sole purpose of honoring the natural world we live in and making the most of it with your cameras, these tours are for you. We as a boat full of  people are 100% tuned into our surroundings - Florida's diverse avian life and stunning landscapes.

We utilize a small, flat-bottomed boat to access remote locations that are often inaccessible to others. This allows me to find optimal positioning, ensuring we maximize our time with wildlife during the best natural light conditions.

To begin the booking process, please indicate which of the three locations you are interested in.

The only available dates and times are listed on this email. Once your date is secured, I will send a Google Map link to the departure landing and we can discuss the specific species and conditions you can expect. For the Tampa and Desoto tours, if you are interested in camping then I might suggest the campground @ Ft. Desoto State park

I look forward to hearing which location best suits your photographic goals.