Check them out and let me know what you see on your adventures.
I love day trips up there and there is so much to do. Be sure that you take a stop to see Lake Alice, walk across the street to see the bats come out at sunset, and check out the gardens next door. An easy outing and completely free! I've seen gators and wild birds every time I've visited. Sometimes there are even hawks that swoop out after the bats if you watch closely. It's often a date night for UF students!
https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/bats/
https://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/campuswaterquality/water/lake-alice.shtml
https://fieldandfork.ufl.edu/
https://communitygarden.org/find-a-garden/gardens/university-of-florida-organic-garden-cooperative/
Next up, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive.
This is an awesome adventure, especially for those that don't want to or can't take a hike. It's a drive-thru trail that starts in Apopka and ends in Mount Dora. Plan accordingly and you can end your day exploring Mount Dora. This trail is only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday so that's important to note as well.
Looking for gators. You're more than likely to see them. Looking for birds? Yep, there more than 360 species of birds that have been recorded here. They even have a website that plays a tour as you drive through with lots of facts about the area and what you're seeing. There are observation stops along the way to get out and stretch or take a closer look.
Resources:
Time for a drive over to Lakeland for Circle B Bar Reserve.
This may be my new go-to spot for checking out Wildlife. Gators, birds, and turtles! Oh My!
Seriously, what a beautiful spot for hiking or biking. Expect to see lots of wildlife photographers with their big lenses taking shots of the birds in the air. There are many varieties to see from the water to the sky. No shortage of sightings of the American Alligator or different turtle species either. You want bugs? Those are there, too! And it's free! Do it! Send me an invite when you go and I'll tour guide you through Alligator Alley on Lake Hancock. For real.
Resources:
Oakland Nature Preserve is a great spot to visit to see natural Florida and take the boardwalk out to see Lake Apopka. You can also access this spot from the West Orange Trail and it's super close to Downtown Winter Garden, so again, plan accordingly. This location is generally where I spot the baby American Alligators in the marshes at the end of the boardwalk. The butterfly garden area is nicely done and there is a bird watching blind and spot in the scrub oaks that is not to be missed. You may even catch a glimpse of the zebras and other African wildlife along the fence line next to the preserve. We saw the cutest little family of trash pandas (raccoons) the last visit. Log onto their Facebook account or their website to see some of their wildlife cameras.
Resources:
http://www.oaklandnaturepreserve.org/
I love to get out and about but it leaves less time to tell you about the adventures. Follow me on Instagram and you'll see more photos. https://www.instagram.com/adventuresbyjen/
Have a place I should check out? Do tell!!!
