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It’s In Your Nature: If you’re heading to Florida, set aside time to see wildlife

Published February 28. 2026 09:00AM

Florida, with it beaches, and particularly the theme parks, is a favorite vacation destination.

And, if your children are in school or college, flying to Florida over the Christmas holiday break or the Easter/spring break, makes sense so they don’t miss too much school.

As we approach spring break time, I thought I’d toss in a possible addition to those Florida plans.

I’ve only been to Florida a few times, but enough that I might be able to suggest some nature areas to visit or what wildlife you might find. Maybe as a change of pace, you might find one of these areas to take in some of Florida’s wildlife.

Take a few hours in the morning before joining the crowds and you might be surprised and enjoy observing some “cool” nature stuff. You, and your family will enjoy the nature diversion. Although Florida’s population, along with its urban sprawl, is increasing, there are still areas worth visiting and exploring. Even if you are sitting poolside or beach lounging, I bet you could see some of the animals I have included in this week’s column.

I’m more familiar with the Gulf Coast of Florida because that region’s diverse habitats draw me to find a greater variety of birds. Central Florida has the bulk of the theme parks, and that may limit your nature experiences, but even a ride on a monorail can be more interesting if you have a nature eye like yours truly.

But if you travel to the Sunshine State solely for the beach experience, the Gulf Coast can offer you both. Our local airport has many direct flights that can get you to the sun quickly and also close to some local, state and national parks.

I have visited Big Cypress Swamp, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Ding Darling National Wildlife Sanctuary and the Everglades. Some of these parks have elevated walkways that allow you to walk above the swamp’s water while coursing through towering bald Cypress trees draped in Spanish moss.

It may be worth your while to find Cape Coral in the Fort Myers area and take a short drive through the neighborhoods to look for the really cute burrowing owls. I assure you the “kids” and the “kid in you” would love to see even just one.

Besides the areas I already mentioned, maybe Myakka River State Park (near Sarasota) could be a short stop for you.

Heading to the East Coast, Merrit Island National Wildlife Reserve (near Kennedy Space Center) hosts 21 threatened or endangered species. Not far from Palm Beach is the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, if you are in that area.

Almost everywhere in Florida you can find bald eagle nests and more osprey nests. So even on your vacation, you can “get out there.”

Test Your Outdoor Knowledge: An owl you would probably encounter in one of the Florida parks has also begun spreading north and west in this country. It is the _____ owl. A. great horned owl; B. saw whet owl; C. barred owl; D. wise old owl.

Last Week’s Trivia Answer: More than likely the hawk trying to catch your feeder birds is the Cooper’s hawk.

Email Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com

Green herons, also found in our region in summer, could be seen in and around almost any waterways in Florida, Probably even in the theme parks or in a small pond next to your hotel parking lot.
Look along river shores, lakes, pier areas and in almost all of the nature parks with aquatic habitats for anhingas. They are nicknamed snake birds and swim underwater quite well to spear fish. Missing the oily feathers of ducks, look for them spreading their wings to dry after a fishing foray.
Looking similar to the anhinga but with a hooked beak (not spear-like) is the double-crested cormorant. Look for them diving for fish, and in flight, often just a few feet above the water’s surface.
Living primarily in the southern half of Florida are wood storks. They search for aquatic animals to eat with a bill and face only a mother can love. Rather bulky for a bird and almost 4 feet in height, they can soar well and could be seen drifting alongside black and turkey vultures.
The marshes of Assateague, Chincoteague and near Cape May hold glossy ibises. In Florida, look for their close relatives the white ibis. Usually found foraging in the muck for invertebrates, they sometimes can be seen on the edges of theme parks or parking lots looking a bit like a flock of chickens with unusual bills.
Black vultures can be seen throughout Florida. Remember they were always of a southern U.S. origin and may actually outnumber turkey vultures in most areas.
Most common on the Gulf Coast of Florida are roseate spoonbills. I bet some rookie birders have mistaken them for flamingos. I would suggest the Ding Darling Refuge area for the best chance to see these unique birds.
If you are a regular visitor to “the shore,” you probably have seen brown pelicans feeding just off the New Jersey surf. In Florida, look for their close relatives the white pelicans, often seen close to the spoonbills. BARRY REED/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
If you were near a river, lake, pond or canal almost anywhere in Florida, you may have noticed turtles popping their heads above the water’s surface to catch a breath before submerging again. Most don’t get to see the Florida softshell turtle out of the water. Note the unusually long neck.
Probably everyone who’s traveled to the Sunshine State has seen alligators. I thought the Myakka River area offered the best views of them.
In various regions of Florida, in particular the Cape Coral community, you can find the cutest owls you may ever see, burrowing owls. They excavate burrows and sit near the entrance where you can spot the 10-inchtall owls.
In Pennsylvania, you’ll see deer crossing signs. In Wyoming, you can find elk crossing signs. And in areas of Florida, like the Big Cypress Swamp, you can find panther crossing signs. Maybe by chance you could see one of these secretive predators, so get out there if you are down there.
Tags:
Barry Reed, Environment