Orlando - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

02/25/2009 06:53:36 PM · #1

I am going to be in Orlando the 2nd week of March for work, and will have at least 2 half days to get out and about. Anyone have any suggestions for wildlife kind of areas to shoot, preferably not more than an hour or hour and a half from the Orlando airport area.

Thanks in advance!

CorySmith

02/25/2009 08:45:53 PM · #2

herons and egrets are near lakes. have fun ;)

Nah but gatorland is kind of near there. Its kind of fun for a non Floridian.

NathanWert

Canon EOS-90D

Sigma 18-250 f/3.5 - 6.3 DC OS HSM

02/25/2009 08:45:54 PM · #3

You want to see wildlife.....go to Disney, lots of wild people there. *grin*

lifeafter2am

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

02/25/2009 09:31:34 PM · #4

Originally posted by NathanW:

You want to see wildlife.....go to Disney, lots of wild people there. *grin*

I shoot at Animal Kingdom, their Safari tour and stuff makes you feel like you are not in a zoo at least. Besides that, gatorland, as Fetor mentioned, or you can go up to Wekiwa Springs.

Ja-9

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

03/02/2009 08:19:48 PM · #5

like someone said Wekiva Springs State Park is wonderful...Leu Gardens, Winter Park, Kraft (Azalea??) Memorial Gardens...about a wk ago egrets were in mating season...it was very "interesting" At Leu Gardens I saw snakes, gator (in the wild...per say) heron and other critters....these are all about an hour from the airport...there is another state south of Orlando (Kississimee area) that is a Pioneer village...they have animals...oh, and I think that over in Ovideo, FL there is a Lipizzan Stallion Farm (//www.lipizzaner.com/home.asp go to the contact us section)...that you might be able to make arrangements to go visit and take photos...this is something I would really like to do...

toddgray

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 II

03/02/2009 08:31:03 PM · #6

Black Point by the Cape (Merrit Island) is great for birds, gators and wild pigs there has been a panther sighting there recently as well.

Prash

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF for Pentax

03/02/2009 08:33:58 PM · #7

During my recent D-land trip in CA, I was disappointed to find out that only the FL one has an Animal Kingdom safari. Its been mentioned already, and if I were there for a short period of time, I would def go there to maximize wild animal sightings.

If I had more days, I would stroll around in the not-so-artificial-wild-habitats.

Looking fwd to your pictures...

Nobody

Pentax K-S2

03/02/2009 08:55:41 PM · #8

Merrit Island is a good suggestion, and about an hr from Orlando. I haven't been, but its supposed to be great.

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is probably about 1 1/2 hrs. It has a slew of animals besides alligators, and has a very impressive population of wild nesting birds (egrets, storks, herons) that take advantage of the protection from predators that nesting over alligators provides. I don't know if they are nesting yet, but if so, it will be thick with photographers.

Ping me if you plan on doing either of these and want to meet up. Depending on the day, I may be able to meet up.

Alligator Farm photos from earlier visits:

Ja-9

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

03/03/2009 02:57:25 PM · #9

Originally posted by Ja-9:

I tried to contact the Lipizzan horse farm..."due to insurance reasons, the general public is not allowed on the property of the farm"...hmmm so I guess that is out...

03/03/2009 03:52:45 PM · #10

I would suggest Merrit Island as well but 1/2 day maybe a bit short on time. We always go in the morning but I'm really not sure what time of day is best. Same as Nobody, let me know if you want to meet up. I'm about 1 hour from the airport.

Jason_Cross

Nikon D50

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

03/03/2009 04:06:07 PM · #11

You should get a photo from the peak of Florida's third largest mountain...Space Mountain.

lifeafter2am

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/03/2009 04:08:44 PM · #12

Originally posted by Jason_Cross:

You should get a photo from the peak of Florida's third largest mountain...Space Mountain.

LOL! Where are the first two?

Jason_Cross

Nikon D50

03/03/2009 04:23:07 PM · #13

Number one is Britton Hill at 344 ft above sea level.

Message edited by author 2009-03-03 16:23:25.

lunachicken

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

03/03/2009 08:10:12 PM · #14

Awesome, thanks for the suggestions! I will be in Orlando around 1:30 PM Mon. and will have the rest of that day, and Friday morning til my flight leaves at 3:30. Work will likely take up the other 3 days, but I may get to sneak out another half a day. I am definitely game if anyone wants to meet up!

03/03/2009 08:19:27 PM · #15

Your lucky as well, just on the news

STS-119/Discovery
Target Launch Date: March 12
Target Launch Time: 8:54 p.m. EDT

sent you a PM

Jason_Cross

Nikon D50

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF for Pentax

03/03/2009 08:23:29 PM · #16

That would be cool just to see.

Nobody

Pentax K-S2

03/03/2009 08:32:25 PM · #17

Originally posted by jrtodd:

Your lucky as well, just on the news

STS-119/Discovery
Target Launch Date: March 12
Target Launch Time: 8:54 p.m. EDT

sent you a PM

Oh, I just might have to make a road trip for this one..

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

03/03/2009 08:38:17 PM · #18

I'm going to Daytona again if you want to meet up Sam, I haven't perfect that shot yet.

colorcarnival

Olympus 45mm f1.8 M.Zuiko Digital Micro Four Thirds

03/03/2009 09:41:24 PM · #19

Originally posted by jrtodd:

Your lucky as well, just on the news

STS-119/Discovery
Target Launch Date: March 12
Target Launch Time: 8:54 p.m. EDT

sent you a PM

Where is a good place to see the launch? I am not sure if we will get tickets or not but we are going to be in Orlando heading to Kennedy that day if this still holds.

Nobody

Pentax K-S2

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF for Pentax

03/03/2009 10:05:27 PM · #20

Originally posted by jrtodd:

I'm going to Daytona again if you want to meet up Sam, I haven't perfect that shot yet.

I've never tried to make a launch. Let me try and get approval from the Mrs. to be AWOL.

lunachicken

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

03/03/2009 10:39:04 PM · #21

Oh, kick ass! That is something I may have to plan on too!

lifeafter2am

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

03/03/2009 10:41:39 PM · #22

Damn, now I have to see where I can find to shoot this. :-)

Maverick

Nikon D200

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di for Nikon

03/03/2009 10:43:46 PM · #23

Where is the best place to view a launch? I'll be in the area also.

Ja-9

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

03/03/2009 10:53:05 PM · #24

there is a park (quite popular, so get there early) just north of the launch pad...it is across the water from the pad...you can see the lift off from there and watch the water ripple from the sound waves....it is just off US1..try looking on google for an image...it has been years since I was there..there will not be many more launches in the future...so now would be a good time....someone recently had a picture of a launch for a challenge....