Florida Gulf Coast Creations

Author: Gary Walker

River Ranch
From March to September, Florida is the summer home to swallow-tailed kites. Hopefully, I’ll be writing about some great photo opportunities over the coming months. We began seeing these incredible birds around the end of February, so we decided to take a drive to an area that is known to have a decent population.
KICCO Wildlife Management Area is located about 30 miles east of Lake Wales. The Florida National Scenic Trail cuts through the WMA. The Florida Trail is 1 of only 11 Congressionally designated National Scenic Trails in the country, and 1 of 3 contained entirely within a single state. The trail is currently about 1,500 miles long and winds its way across Florida from Big Cypress National Preserve in the south to Gulf Islands National Seashore in the western end of Florida’s panhandle. We did see 4 of the prized kites but they were sailing around above us while we were under the tree canopy, so we didn’t get any good photos.
Eastern Phoebe Perched on a Branch
Follow the link to learn more about KICCO WMA.
- KICCO Wildlife Management Area | FWC (myfwc.com)
May 28, 2022
Baby Sandhill Cranes
Again, this year, we had a pair of sandhill cranes nest right around the corner from our house. The eggs finally hatched and there are now 2 new crane “colts” enjoying the neighborhood. The cranes chose to build their nest by a pond that they used 2 years ago. Luckily it was in a spot that was easy to see and photograph. The images I shot were right after the first egg hatched. The colt was less than a day old. The second egg hatched the next day and within another couple of days the family had moved on.
Female Sandhill Crane Nudges Her New Chick
A few more pictures from this journey are featured below. For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.
- Cranes and Storks
May 28, 2022
Okeechobee
A few weeks ago, we took a long ride down by Lake Okeechobee to look for a couple of rare birds for our region. They had been sighted at a campground on the south end of Lake Okeechobee. On the ride over we spotted a bald eagle with opossum roadkill for breakfast, and we were able to get some good shots. Further along, there was a species of game bird that has adapted to the south Florida habitat and is now beginning to build a population. The bird is a red-legged partridge, and it is very colorful. Like grouse and quail, it likes the ground and would rather run than fly. We were fortunate to see several that popped out of the grass and ran along a dirt road.
Red-legged Partridge Walks Along the Edge of a Road
Our destination ended up being a bust. The two species we were hoping to find didn’t show. So, the 2-plus hour drive through citrus groves and sugar cane fields was salvaged by the eagle, the partridge and a tom turkey that was fanning for a harem of hens in a field. Sometimes the journey is better than the destination.
A few more pictures from this journey are featured below. For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.
- Bald Eagles
- Other Birds
May 28, 2022
More Scrub Jays
We recently ventured out to nearby nature preserve which has a large stand of scrub oaks. In Florida, when you find sizable areas of scrub oaks, you may find Florida scrub jays. They are very sociable and curious and tend to travel in family groups. Scrub jays can be very approachable which makes them a fun species to photograph. Their bright blue and gray markings are beautiful. It’s always a treat to find them because there are so few around. They are only found in Florida. The Federal Endangered Species Act lists them as threatened.
A few more pictures from this journey are featured below. For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.
- Florida Scrub Jays
April 30, 2022
Polo in Lakewood Ranch
Every Sunday from the middle of December to the end of April there are polo matches at the Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch. The club was founded in 1991 and is affiliated with the U.S. Polo Association. It was originally a huge 28,000-acre timber ranch. The playing field is well-groomed Bermuda grass which seemed more appropriate for hitting golf balls than being torn up by horses. Amazingly, the field holds up well and part of the fun of the match is halftime when fans are encouraged to walk on the field and stomp down divots.
Group of Players Chasing the Ball
If you’re interested in the match results, here is a link to a complete report on the U.S. Polo Association website.
- https://www.uspolo.org/news-social/news/national-outdoor-commander-in-chief-recap
A few more pictures from this journey are featured below. For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.
- Sports
March 25, 2022
IndyCar in St. Petersburg
The NTT IndyCar series kicked off their 2022 season this weekend in St. Petersburg. My friend Art Nadelman joined me for a day at the track on Friday. The weather was amazing, and the cars were FAST! Scott McLaughlin was the winner on Sunday. It was the first IndyCar victory of his career.
Scott McLaughlin on the Front Straight at the St. Pete Grand Prix – 2022
A few more pictures from this journey are featured below. For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.
- Motorsports
February 28, 2022
Gallery Updates

We’re making some updates to the photo galleries. The old method used to upload photos seems to have gone a little crazy, so we have to reconfigure a few things. The good news is we have a new and better solution, and the galleries will be reappearing over the next day.
We’ve received several requests for ordering calendars and prints online, so we’re working on incorporating this feature into the website. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

February 23, 2022
The Notorious Deep Hole
Florida is known for alligators. Many people think of the Everglades as the foremost destination for seeing alligators. But if you live in or are visiting the southwest part of the state, there is no need to travel any further than Sarasota County to see lots of large gators.
Large Group of Alligators Resting Along the Bank of a Pond
One amazing place is in a remote section of Myakka River State Park called the Deep Hole. The pond was supposedly created by a sink hole and is estimated to be over 100 feet deep. A special pass is required to visit the Deep Hole and only 30 passes are distributed every day.
A few more pictures from this journey are featured below. For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.
- Animals
February 18, 2022
Polk County Florida Gem

Circle B Bar Reserve is a Polk County park located just a few miles southeast of Lakeland, FL on Lake Hancock. There are numerous trails that traverse the park through a variety of habitats from hardwood forests to swamp. Be prepared for tired feet because many of the journeys are long. The park is also home to Polk Nature Discovery Center which is a very nice museum with lots of helpful local information.
House Wren Pops Out of Cover
Depending on the time of year, you can see many very large alligators along a trail aptly named Alligator Alley. While alligators are the main attraction, the number of species of wildlife in the park is amazing. It is a destination for many photography tours.
Purple Gallinule Stepping Across a Log in the Water

February 17, 2022
Rare Bird Sighting
Every year we see or hear about a variety of rare birds in Florida. It almost always happens during migrations. This year has brought us a Calliope Hummingbird which is native to the far western United States. According to Audubon, it is the smallest bird in North America. The bird we saw was either female or an immature male as the adult males have beautiful purple stripes on their throats.
Calliope Hummingbird Female in a Live Oak Tree
This bird was visiting feeders with several ruby-throated hummingbirds at a residence east of Tampa. Fortunately, the homeowner is a bird watcher who was happy to let us try to photograph the rare sighting.
A few more pictures from this journey are featured below. For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.
- Hummingbirds
February 16, 2022
Lake Morton Waterfowl
Lakeland, FL is aptly named with over 30 lakes within the city limits. The best lake for photography always seems to be Lake Morton. It’s famous for its population of swans. But the main reason we like Lake Morton is for the wood ducks and several migrating ducks that visit every year. It’s a nice easy walk of about 1 mile to go completely around the lake. But it can take over an hour because of all the photo opportunities.
Mallard Drake Resting Peacefully with His Head Tucked Under His Wing
A few more pictures from this journey are featured below. For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.
February 15, 2022
Photography Heaven in Venice Florida
In the middle of the city of Venice, FL is a very small pond with a little island on one end. Each year the island becomes home to dozens of herons, egrets and cormorants that build their nests and raise their young. It is a photographer and birder magnet because the island and its birds are so close to shore. The park is managed by the local Audubon chapter.
It’s a great time to witness the breeding plumage of the Great Egrets. They develop lacy back feathers and the coloring around their beaks turns bright green.
Great Egret with Breeding Plumes Blowing in the Wind
A few more pictures from this journey are featured below. For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.
- Egrets
- Herons
February 14, 2022

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