Mid Florida Photo Ops/Locations?

[cwilly]

I will be visiting Orlando, Fl the week of May 2-9, 2009 and would like to connect with someone that has a "airboat" or a "jon boat" that can take me out on Lake Toho for an early morning sunrise shot. Also I am looking for interesting photo locations other than Disney World/Epcot complex. I'm leaving that to the grandkids. Thanks for any suggestions, I'm sure there are thousands of places that I should try to visit. Photo interests are anything outdoors.

[SusanH1970]

Seaworld is a GREAT place for photos.

[Jim Bryant]

I did a google search for Mid Florida Photo Ops/Locations and came up with this: http://www.google.com/search?q=Mid+F...ient=firefox-a

[cwilly]

Thanks Jim for the tip. By the way I have checked your website and the shoots of North Virtnam were awesome. I was in So Vietnam in '70 and would love to go back, this time with a camera.

[nsaplayer]

You mentioned avoiding Disney/Epcot but Animal Kingdom is also fun if you want animal shots.

Also worth checking out (a few of my favorites):

Lake Eola- its a lake (as the name implies :-) ) in downtown Orlando. There are lots of birds and it is known for the swans that live there. One side of the lake is lined with tall city buildings. its pretty cool during the day, as well as all lit up at night. They also have all sorts of outdoor festivals/farmer's market type things on the weekends

Leu Gardens- Its a really nice, lots of scenice walkways. plenty of opportunities if you like taking photos of flowers. The rose garden is beaitiful.

University of Central Florida- its a college, lots of nifty brick buildings if that interests you

CityWalk- an area outside of Univseral Studios/Islands of Adventure (its where the big Universal Globe is). There is alot of night life there, so lots of pretty lights and also a lake in the middle

Downtown Orlando- I am personally a fan of the city skyline in the evening... not as big as something like New York, but its nice :-)

Ginnie Springs - or any of the springs in the area for that matter.. If you are up for driving around, the freshwater springs in the area are beautiful. I think they are probably a little over two hours north in High Springs

As for an airboat/jon boat, I don't own one, but there are alot of places just east of Orlando that offer rides, dont know how they work though... I have seen the places for them driving east on SR 50 (aka Colonial Drive) towards Titusville (don't forget about the space center out on the coast!). I would search for airboats in Christmas, FL.

Hope this helps! Let me know if I can give you any more info!

Enjoy your trip!

[Chip]

In Lakeland (west of Orlando not too far off I-4), the buildings at Florida Southern College were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Here's a link to some photos taken of the campus.

Maybe it's too far out of the way, but it might be of interest.

[WooD]

My folks live on Lake Marion just a bit south of Orlando near Haines City during the winter. If you can rent a boat, or find someone to take you out, its a birders dream location. Several Eagle nests within shooting distance, and more gators than you'll probably want to see. Great multitudes of snakes too.

[cwilly]

Thank you very much. Thats the kind of information I was looking for.

[WooD]

Sunrise Lake Marion. This was shot from my folks place, its the narrowest part of the lake, and still over a mile across.

[cwilly]

Beautiful shot. I see you are from St Augustine. My question for you is, is it worth my time to drive up to shoot in the St Augustine Alligator Farm? I have heard the place is really great for egrets and other wading birds as well some rather exotic mammals.