Winter Camping In SW Florida
Posted 03-22-2012 at 09:34 PM by hellsbay
Even though we were still in the throes of winter, I decided to travel an hour north with the 'Ritz' and do some cold weather camping and a little photography. This would be my second trip with the little DWR and I was really excited. My destination was Ft. DeSoto, on the west coast of Florida near St. Petersburg.
While waiting to check in at the campground office, I overheard a couple asking if there would be an opening for them to camp. The ranger responded by saying that yes, around the middle of next month there was an open camping spot. I felt really lucky that I was able to make a reservation for two nights only a few days in advance.
The park is run by the county and is a beautiful example of what can be done to both preserve fragile water front lands and make them available for public use. The sites are private and surrounded by native trees and plants. Mine was right on the water. All the facilities were clean and well run.
The photographic opportunities at Ft. DeSoto are world renowned. It is one of the best places to photograph wading and shore birds in North America. Incidentally, it was rated as the number one beach in America in 2005.
After scouting the park during my first afternoon, I enjoyed a peaceful evening in the Ritz. Early the next morning I met up with some photographer friends and we had a blast with our cameras.
While waiting to check in at the campground office, I overheard a couple asking if there would be an opening for them to camp. The ranger responded by saying that yes, around the middle of next month there was an open camping spot. I felt really lucky that I was able to make a reservation for two nights only a few days in advance.
The park is run by the county and is a beautiful example of what can be done to both preserve fragile water front lands and make them available for public use. The sites are private and surrounded by native trees and plants. Mine was right on the water. All the facilities were clean and well run.
The photographic opportunities at Ft. DeSoto are world renowned. It is one of the best places to photograph wading and shore birds in North America. Incidentally, it was rated as the number one beach in America in 2005.
After scouting the park during my first afternoon, I enjoyed a peaceful evening in the Ritz. Early the next morning I met up with some photographer friends and we had a blast with our cameras.
Total Comments 4
Comments
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Gorgeous photos!Posted 03-23-2012 at 07:18 AM by bocotim 
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Thanks BocotimPosted 03-23-2012 at 10:09 AM by hellsbay
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Love your photography!!! What are you shooting with and how long is your bird lens? Wonderful pictures.Posted 03-24-2012 at 07:53 AM by wheel interested
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I shoot with a Canon 1DMK4 for wildlife and other stuff, and a Canon5DMK2 for landscapes. My long lens is a Canon 500mm. I sometimes will put a 1.4 teleconverter on the 500 making it seem like a 700mm.Quote:Originally Posted by wheel interestedWhat are you shooting with and how long is your bird lens? Wonderful pictures.
Posted 03-24-2012 at 04:04 PM by hellsbay
