Photography Location: Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge (Florida)
by Chris Nicholson

The 6,300-acre refuge provides excellent opportunities for photographing wildlife and south-Florida landscapes (especially the mangrove estuaries).

The park is most easily accessed via the unpaved 5-mile loop road that starts in the middle of the island off Sanibel Captiva Road. Most visitors stay on the loop road, meaning the best working environment for photographers is on the five hiking trails and the two canoe trails. Another option for navigating the park is by bicycle. (A tram is also available, but is not the best option for photographers.)

Endangered and threatened species in the refuge include bald eagles, wood storks, peregrine falcons, loggerhead turtles, American alligators, American crocodiles and eastern indigo snakes.

The most accessible wildlife is the birds, mostly water and wading birds. The best time of year, in general, is between October and April (which is also when you'll find the temperatures most bearable). Spring and fall sees migration dramatically increase the bird population in the refuge. Best time of day to photograph birds: morning and early evening. Also, wading birds are most active at low tide (see local tide charts). So, obviously, the very best time for bird photography is a combination of low tide, early morning, in fall or spring.

Birds in the refuge include great and snowy egrets; great, tricolor, yellow-crowned night and little blue herons; white and brown pelicans; osprey; American oystercatchers; red-shouldered hawks; anhingas; cormorants; spoonbills and more. Songbirds stop during spring and fall migrations. Warblers are best seen during spring and fall migrations on the hiking trails, especially Indigo Trail.

If you want to photograph alligators and crocodiles, be aware that they're not always seen in the refuge. The best opportunities will be in brackish water (to the left along the loop road); look on the shore in bright sun (unfortunately crocodilians like the same light that photographers tend to hate).

Also, check out the less frequently visited Bailey Tract on the south side of the island (Palm Ridge Road) for more wildlife. The Tract is all trails, and admission is free. Open from sunrise to sunset.

Of additional note: The beaches of Sanibel Island are considered some of the finest in the world for shells; in fact, Coastal Living magazine named them the best shelling spot in the U.S. Lots of opportunities for close-up work and such.

There are a number of pro labs in the Tampa area, about two hours north. Two are Creative Color (813-289-4385) and E.G. Custom Photographics (813-254-0539).

Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is open every day except Friday. The entrance fee is $5 per automobile, or $1 per pedestrian/cyclist, and is payable via the honor system: You are asked to put your money in a box near the entrance to the loop road. Park hours are sunrise to sunset. However, the park doesn't open to cars until an hour after sunrise, so if you want to shoot at first light, go by foot or bicycle.

You can rent canoes and bicycles at the Tarpon Bay Recreational Area. Call 941-472-8900.

Bring insect repellent.

Weather: Usually unbearably hot and humid from late May to September; rather pleasant the remainder of the year.

Supplies: You can't buy food and water in the refuge, however: 1) there's water at the visitor's center and 2) you're a short drive from town, where you can pick up whatever you may need.

Other nearby refuges: Pine Island NWR, Island Bay NWR, Matlacha Pass NWR and Caloosahatchee NWR. Check with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for more info.

Refuge phone: 941-472-1100