FLORIDA NESTING BIRDS
APRIL 26TH-29TH, 2027
4 Spaces Available!
Details
Spring in Florida is a season of abundance—wetlands come alive with color, sound, and the extraordinary energy of nesting birds. From elegant egrets tending to their chicks to the vivid pink glow of roseate spoonbills in breeding plumage, this is one of the most rewarding times of year for bird photography in North America.
Join wildlife photographer Jennifer Leigh Warner for an immersive journey through some of Florida’s most productive birding locations. Timed to coincide with peak nesting activity, this tour offers exceptional opportunities to photograph courtship, nesting behavior, and young birds at close range.
We’ll explore a variety of habitats—from open marshes and freshwater wetlands to one of the most famous bird rookeries in the world—giving you a diverse and dynamic portfolio of images.
Target Species May Include:
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Great Egret & Snowy Egret
- Wood Stork
- Purple Gallinule
- Limpkin
- Sandhill Crane
- Osprey
- Florida Scrub-Jay
Additional wildlife may include American Alligator and Nine-banded Armadillo, often encountered in these rich ecosystems.
A highlight of the tour is extended access to the renowned rookery at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, where boardwalks place you at eye level with nesting birds—offering unparalleled opportunities for intimate, frame-filling images.
About your leader…
Jennifer Leigh Warner is a fine art conservation wildlife photographer, writer, public speaker and workshop leader, living in Central Texas and specializes in creating meaningful images that conveys a message of hope for the natural world. Jennifer feels strongly that by sharing these images of beautiful animals in their natural environment, she can inspire those around her to preserve the world that we share with all living creatures.
Jennifer is a Certified Texas Master Naturalist, an Ambassador for Nature First and is on the Board of Directors for the North American Nature Photographers Association as well as serves as their chair of the Ethics Committee.
Jennifer works closely with conservation organizations to help support their missions to protect wildlife and the world around us. She believes that photography is a powerful tool to share these stories, educate photo viewers on important topics and inspire change.
Jennifer’s work has been published in Outdoor California Magazine, Gizmodo, the NANPA Expressions Magazine, Outdoor Photographer Magazine, WIRED, The New Yorker, National Geographic Online and Wild Planet Photo Magazine among others.
5 Participants
$3,495 (single occupancy room)
A deposit is required to reserve space, remaining balance will be due approximately three months prior to departure.
ITINERARY
APRIL 26TH-29TH, 2027
Day 1 – Arrival & First Light (April 26)
Arrive in Orlando, where you’ll be met and transferred to our hotel. After settling in, we’ll head out for our first evening shoot at Joe Overstreet Landing, a peaceful lakeside location known for its beautiful light and excellent bird activity.
We’ll gather afterward for a welcome dinner, a chance to connect with your fellow photographers and prepare for the days ahead.
Day 2 – Wetlands & Wildlife Refuges (April 27)
We begin the day at Orlando Wetlands, one of Florida’s premier locations for bird photography. Here, boardwalks and open trails provide easy access to a wide variety of species, often at very close range.
After a midday break, we continue to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, where we’ll photograph a diverse mix of coastal and wetland species in changing light and landscapes.
Day 3 – Rookery Experience (April 29)
We return to Orlando Wetlands for another morning session, taking advantage of the beautiful early light and continued nesting activity.
After lunch, we travel north to St. Augustine and check into our next hotel. In the late afternoon, we enter the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, home to one of the most accessible and productive bird rookeries in the world.
Here, you’ll photograph nesting herons, egrets, and spoonbills at eye level—capturing everything from courtship displays to chicks in the nest.
Day 4 – Nesting Birds Up Close & Departure (April 30)
We spend our final morning back at the Alligator Farm rookery, making the most of soft morning light and peak activity as birds tend to their nests.
After our session, we begin the return journey to Orlando for afternoon departures—leaving with a rich portfolio of images and an unforgettable experience of spring in Florida.
RESERVE SPACE
INCLUDED
- Three nights accommodations in carefully selected hotels
(Private room for each guest — no single supplement required) - All ground transportation throughout the tour, including airport transfers from Orlando
- Professional photography instruction and guidance from wildlife photographer Jennifer Leigh Warner
- Access to premier birding locations, including Orlando Wetlands, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Joe Overstreet Landing, and St. Augustine
- Year-round Photography Pass to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm
(a $170 value, offering exceptional access to one of the world’s best bird rookeries) - Multiple guided photography sessions daily, timed for optimal light and wildlife activity
- Welcome dinner on the first evening
- Pre-trip zoom meeting
- Small group experience (maximum of 5 participants) for personalized attention and optimal shooting opportunities
EXCLUDED
- Airfare to/from Orlando, Florida
- Meals not specified above
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses (snacks, beverages, souvenirs, etc.)
Photography Guidance
ACTIVITY LEVEL
This tour is designed to be comfortable and accessible, with an emphasis on maximizing photographic opportunities rather than physical exertion.
- Most photography takes place on flat terrain, boardwalks, and well-maintained paths in wetlands and wildlife refuges
- Short walks are required, typically less than 1 mile at a time, with frequent stops for photography
- Participants should be comfortable standing for extended periods (up to 1–2 hours) while photographing active nesting colonies
- You may encounter warm, humid conditions, and occasional uneven ground such as dirt trails, grass, or sandy areas
- Early mornings and full days in the field are part of the experience
This tour is suitable for photographers with a reasonable level of mobility and balance. If you have any questions about whether this trip is a good fit, we’re happy to discuss your individual needs.