Sanibel Island - Ding Darling

Ding is a beautiful place with a great offering of Rosetta Spoonbills and Night Herons.  In the early morning by the tower is a good place to walk around and view the flocks of Spoons.  By 9:00 am they will start to fly overhead.  A great location to get "Birds in Flight" shots.  Set your exposure manually, and start with the exposure of the bird in the water and adjust from there.

Many photographers will be using a tripod with their long telephotos for steady shots of the bird's feeding.  But will have a quick release to pull the camera off when they start flying off and overhead.

"Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge

This Refuge on Sanibel Island, FL is well noted for birds and wildlife.  I enjoy starting early in the morning at opening (7:30am).  Spoonbills are what many come to see, but there are always other surprises to see along the five mile road.  The area around the observation tower is a good place in the morning to see Spoonbills.  When entering the Refuge I usually drive to the tower without stopping elsewhere.  A keen eye is needed along the way though, the bushes on each side of the road are always hiding something. 
Where is this?  Map   Satellite View

Spoonbill Fly By.  I have noticed in my visits that birds such as the Spoonbill are out feeding for only a couple hours after opening.  Though some are always around, the large gatherings seem to fly off to places unseen by ~9:30am.  When they start leaving there are many opportunities for over head shots like the one above.

Black Crowned Night Heron

Young Night Herons seen in late Spring

Snowy Egret by Observation Tower

Osprey (Fish Hawk) on nest alongside the road