Photo Gallery
Photos by Michael O’Brien
On our South Florida in Winter tour, we’ll sample the region’s varied plant communities and focus on the bird and butterfly species characteristic of each. Our tour loop will take us to the pine flatwoods north of Lake Okeechobee…
…and where one of our primary targets will be the endemic Florida Scrub-Jay.
As we head south, we’ll take a magical stroll through the old-growth bald cypress at Corkscrew Swamp where we may hear the echoing calls of Barred Owl or see nesting Wood Storks.
On the Gulf Coast, we’ll visit Tigertail beach which is often crowded with shorebirds including Wilson’s Plover.
As we head east, we’ll stop at Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve which is excellent for butterflies such as this Soldier…
…and we’ll cross the wet sawgrass prairie at Shark River Slough where Snail Kites feast on Apple Snails.
We’ll spend two full days in Everglades National Park where, among the alligators,…
…we’ll see abundant waterbirds including Purple Gallinule.
…and look for butterflies such as this stunning Silver-banded Hairstreak…
…and Florida Leafwing.
During our stay in the Florida Keys, we’ll enjoy breathtaking blue water and white sand…
…as we look for the local Martial Scrub-Hairstreak…
…and the rare Miami Blue.
In the lush gardens of suburban Miami, we’ll look for exotic birds such as Red-whiskered Bulbul.
…and beautiful butterflies such as Atala.
In winter, strays from the West Indes are always a possibility along the Florida coast. In 2004, this brilliant male Western Spindalis enlivened our visit to Windley Key.