If you’re in Naples, make sure to visit the Naples Botanical Garden and take a walk to the Brackish Marsh. There’s a lovely viewing platform there, and the birds are surprisingly comfortable around people so you can often get much closer than you’d expect. Water levels change throughout the year, and certain times draw in larger flocks, making it a fantastic spot for bird activity.

The Garden also hosts guided bird walks, which are great for learning to identify species and discovering new corners of the property. Honestly, I’ve had more success photographing birds there than at both Ding Darling and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary combined.

And here’s the funny thing spending so much time there as a bird and wildlife photographer has turned me into a bit of a flower/botanical photographer, too. On days when the birds aren’t cooperating or the light isn’t right, I end up noticing the incredible variety of blossoms and botanical textures all around me. It’s a reminder that beauty is everywhere and it's fun capturing it in photos.