Want Great Nature Photos on Sanibel? Choose Your Time and Place First!

Sanibel Island offers great photo opportunities for sunrise and sunset shoots. These are pretty much no brainers. Just show up on the East End (near the light house) for that early morning shoot and on the West End (on Bowman's Beach) for the dusk photography.


Given the spectacular nature of sunrise and sunset Island skies, you will most likely get off a few excellent shots.


Nature photography, particularly bird photography, is a bit more challenging. The birds and other animals are not quite as predictable. It's always smart to carry a camera with you on walks and beach treks as you just never know what you will find.


Last week, an eagle on the beach near Bowman's thrilled beach goers. But who knows when and if he will ever return to that spot.


A more likely location is the nature preserve on the Island.

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island is a famous spot to photograph Florida birds. Like the Galapagos Islands in South America, birds that are difficult to photograph in other places are so accustomed to people here that you can get very up close and personal and fill the frame with a 300mm lens.

It is also common to see families of raccoons panhandling from the cars parked along the wildlife drive. The first time I witnessed this, I thought the raccoons were ill as in other places I have lived, they only show up after dark. But Sanibel raccoons are the quintessential opportunists and their stomachs are their guides to behavior. If they are hungry and see a way to fill their furry bellies, they are no clock watchers!

In recent years a large female American crocodile has taken up residence in the refuge and can sometimes be seen basking by the side of the main road through the refuge. This may be the only place in Florida where you can see and photograph an endangered American Crocodile from the comfort of your car! Of course, you can see alligators and shoot them all over Ding Darling, just stay back from the water.

Almost every kind of North American wading bird can be seen at Ding Darling, however luck and the state of the tide can make a huge difference in the type of photographs you get. Photo opportunities are best one hour before and after low tide low tide and early morning light, so check the tide tables before you plan your trip! And remember that the refuge is closed every Friday.

The nearby Sanibel Fishing Pier and Lighthouse on the eastern tip of Sanibel is a great place year round to shoot herons, pelicans and other birds who show up looking for goodies from the fisherman there.

And don't worry if you don't catch the picture perfect nature shot the first time out. There's always tomorrow!!!!