Fort Myers, FL - DPChallenge Forums

12/07/2007 08:22:38 AM · #1

I will be traveling here in one weeks time. I was just curious what I should look for photographically speaking. I hear that they are very well known for awesome sunsets.

Any places I need to visit? I do have a rental car, so driving isn't a big deal.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/07/2007 09:02:46 AM · #2

You may enjoy nature shooting at the boardwalk at 6 Mile Cypress Preserve, sunsets at Sanibel or Lovers Key beach. The night activity for 25 would be great at Ft Myers Beach, which would be between Sanibel and Lovers key. A little longer drive with good nature opportunities would be the board walk at Corkscrew Swamp, on Immokalee road, off I75 but that is a 40 drive each way. Koreshan State Park is a good local photo op place too. The Edison and Ford homes have Christmas lighting up now, and the Edison estate has a huge exotic garden. Babcock Ranch eco tours are good fun too, and you get to see some of the native Florida woodland, and usually the local native animals in the wild.
Here is the link to the local news paper, which will have a lot of info about events going on currently in town and around Fort Myers Press
Have fun.

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

12/07/2007 09:34:42 AM · #3

Sanibel is a great place to visit. I rented a boat there with some friends (actually, THEY rented the boat, I got to be the captain because I was the only one who knew how to "drive" and wasn't afraid to parallel park the thing between two giant yachts :)

There are some other islands that are only accessible by boat, one of which was absolutely incredible for gathering seashells. The shells were everywhere, and they were HUGE! I still have a bunch of them. It was a really fun excursion.

Message edited by author 2007-12-07 09:35:16.

vtruan

Nikon D5100

Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical for Nikon

12/07/2007 09:38:03 AM · #4

The Ding Darling National WIldlife Refuge on Sanibel Island is a must. A nice leasure drive among the mangroves with tons of birds and alligators.

12/09/2007 09:42:16 PM · #5

Thank you guys forthe info. I hope tocome back with a ton of photos!!!

12/09/2007 10:44:46 PM · #6

In the News Press, you can check out the local section and find out what is going on that may be of interest. They had a hot rod and old car show downtown last week.
You may also enjoy seeing the local flea market and find a few things that you like, plus an opportunity to get some colorful candids. There is one on Ortiz st between McGregor Bl, and MLK Bl with older items generally, and Fleamasters on MLK East with mostly new things for sale.
Post some pics when you get back. If you get bored, PM me and I will see if I can get off for an afternoon to go shoot something interesting around the area.

NikonJeb

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/09/2007 11:04:23 PM · #7

Though it's a little bit of a haul, if you're gonna be there for a couple of days, hie on down to the upper Keys.

The water becomes crystal clear, and there's a distinct change from South Atlantic/Gulf Coast to tropical.

Everything's just a little prettier, and the ambience is just a little more laid back in the areas of "Island Time".

ETA: There are always awesome sunsets over the gulf, and virtually every day there are some electrical storms either over the Gulf or in the 'Glades.

If you wander down into the swamps, there are a lot of good airboat rides, and some of those boat jockeys are real characters.

I'll never forget the one I had who just ran the one we were in with such fluid grace....I commented that he probably had one at home and he said, "Hell, I got me one at home I can run up 41 at 80 mile an hour." in that lazy drawl you'd just naturally expect a swamp rat to have.

Florida's a trip if you're into going native.

Message edited by author 2007-12-09 23:08:40.

12/09/2007 11:06:04 PM · #8

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Jeb, any idea on how I would go about getting this area? Also what kind of time frame do you think travel time?

12/09/2007 11:07:39 PM · #9

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

Melon, I will be down Friday 12/14 until Wed 12/19. I don't arrive until friday evening, so basically I am looking at 4 days of the ability to photograph. I will also have my gf with me, so I will need to do that whole lovey dovey thing as well haha. So better make it 2 days that I can actually get out and go photograph lol.

NikonJeb

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/09/2007 11:10:18 PM · #10

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by jmlelii:

Jeb, any idea on how I would go about getting this area? Also what kind of time frame do you think travel time?

Yep! Just head south on 41, and turn right at the tip of Florida on Rt.1.

In real time, it's about four hours or so to the upper Keys from Ft. Myers......you *can* trim a little from that if you really honk and don't stop along the way.

It's definitely best if you gert a really early start if you're going to day trip it.

We used to have a place on Marco Island that we stayed every year for 20 some odd years 'til wer found Tavernier and the clear water ruined it for us.

Message edited by author 2007-12-09 23:12:53.

NikonJeb

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/09/2007 11:14:33 PM · #11

Originally posted by jmlelii:

Make the Keys next time unless you're a serious roadie.....and she is too.

12/09/2007 11:32:08 PM · #12

Yeah, 4 hours one way will be too much for the short amount of time that I will be there. I will however save it for the next trip!

12/09/2007 11:32:59 PM · #13

There is an option if you would like to see Key West but don't want to drive all the way down there. It's a fun place to visit, and the ride down and back may be relaxing and interesting. Here's the link;
Key West Fast Ferry
It isn't super cheap, but is better than driving 5 hours each way, and renting a room down there at this time of year.
I haven't thought about you having your GF with you, and not knowing her personality, I can't give much advice about what you may enjoy doing around the area in town.

12/09/2007 11:41:05 PM · #14

She's a beach person, as in she wants to sit on the beach and go swimming. I like the beach, but have no desire to "sit" on the beach. We'll do some romantic stuff, I hear there is this awesome place called the bubble room. I'm also going to make her a nice picnic for a sunset dinner type thing. Other than her wanting to be on the beach for a few days, I think she will basically wanna do whatever I want (photographically speaking).

12/09/2007 11:58:27 PM · #15

Ok,
Party Beach, Fort Myers Beach
Civilized beach with lots of shells, Sanibel
Secluded beach, not developed so much, Lovers Key Park or Ding Darling
Serious heavy shopping beach, Naples and 5th Avenue.

There is something for everyone along the coast here. The water is getting a little chilly now, but is still ok to wade around in it.
The current Gulf water temp at Naples, 30 miles south of Ft Myers is 75 F .

Message edited by author 2007-12-10 00:13:27.

12/10/2007 01:36:30 PM · #16

Bunche Beach is a little known and completely undeveloped beach in that area. It's on Google Earth if you look for Fort Myers Beach, it's just north of there. Google earth is a good way to see the area, and get an idea about how things are laid out around the area. The outside beaches, which are directly on the gulf are the best for shelling and have nicer looking water.