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A two-page checklist of butterflies found in the Lake Apopka North Shore areas.  About 160 butterfly species are found in Florida. Florida’s state butterfly is the Zebra Heliconian, also called the Zebra Longwing.

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A two-page checklist of the birds found in Lake Apopka North Shore sites.  Total number of species observed on property to January 2015 is 367.

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This trail guide of the Lake Apopka North Shore properties shows detailed information about the areas, including the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, several other trails, boat launches, restrooms and more.

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Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

Through the years, people have asked me where I like to go to take photos. One of my favorites is the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive (North Shore) in Apopka, FL. Residents are excited that the wildlife drive has reopened after a closure of a few months. The address is: 2850 Lust Rd, Apopka FL 32703 and the hours are 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays.

I've seen recent posts that drivers aren't supposed to get out of their cars, but when my husband and I went on July 4th, a volunteer said we could get out of our cars at safe places, such as the pull-offs. I did get out of the car to take a few photos, but stayed by the car.

In my experience, the best time of day to see the most birds is very early in the morning. They're out looking for breakfast for themselves and their families and there's lots of action! Ospreys are swooping out of the sky, and herons and egrets are fishing in shallower water. You'll find birds all over the area, but you can see (and photograph) many birds right off the edge of the drive. I regularly see Ospreys, hawks, egrets, herons, Gallinules, Coots, ducks and many others.

Did I mention the gators? During your 11-mile drive, you'll see lots of gators, from smaller 3 footers to huge gators several feet long! If you're lucky, one of the really big ones will cross the road in front of your car! But, just like the birds, you'll see them sunning in the canals running alongside the drive.

There is a bathroom, but it may not currently be open due to COVID-19 restrictions. If it's important, check before you go. Website: https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/lake-apopka/wildlife-drive/ or phone: Apopka Field Station-352-735 1267.

I'd plan at least two hours to complete the drive. It's very popular and there are times that the traffic will be slow. There’s no water or food available on the drive. I suggest that you bring some of both.

Have your camera ready to get great pictures! Since you're in your car, you can bring the gear you need and put it within easy reach. I bring my Nikon D500 and multiple lenses (usually my Sigma 18-300, Nikon 80-400 and Sigma 150-500). If you're driving, you may want to have a multi-purpose zoom lens on your camera, so you don't have to take lots of time to switch your lens and miss awesome shots! With the new rule about stopping on the roadside, I didn't bring my tripod on my last trip.

Some history:

Many years ago, Lake Apopka went from being the bass fishing capital of the eastern US to Florida’s most polluted lake, due to fertilizers and pesticides washing into the lake from nearby farms. The state of Florida began a huge restoration project which continues to this day.

The drive is a one-way, 11-mile drive meandering through the eastern portion of the property and now regularly showcases bobcats, bald eagles, great blue herons, otters and alligators, all because of the restoration.

Lake Apopka North Shore offers extraordinary bird-watching opportunities. It is one of the top three birding areas for the entire state (includes Everglades National Park and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge), with 369 different bird species recorded on the property.

Visit the following websites for more good info on the drive:

https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/lake-apopka/

https://floridahikes.com/lake-apopka-wildlife-drive

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New Event

 I'm very excited that Claire Closson Photography and Art has been accepted as a vendor at the Sweetwater-Wekiva Farmers' Market. My first day is this upcoming Sunday, June 14 from 9:00-3:00! I'll have matted prints, ceramic tiles, greeting cards, wrapped canvases and more.

One of my main business goals this summer was to schedule more events and exhibitions, especially at the Sweetwater-Wekiva Farmers' Market, which is around the corner from my house. I love being a part of this community, and am very happy to see the community support this local marketplace.

Here are two of my favorite sunrise/sunset photos. The first is a sunrise at Daytona Beach Shores, FL and the other is a sunset over the Intercoastal Waterway in Jacksonville Beach, FL. I'm blessed to be living in Florida and to have so much amazing nature to enjoy year round. 

You can see more of my favorites and, best of all, I'd really enjoy chatting if you have time to stop by the Sweetwater-Wekiva Farmers' Market!  Hope to see you there :)

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Here's a photo from my last trip to Atlanta, GA this past spring--A bee captured mid-flight and ready to feast on these magnificent deep rosy pink azaleas!

And 2 images from my last trip to Washington Oaks State Park and Bing's Landing last fall featuring a serene view of a willet resting on the famous coquina rocks at the state park and the breathtaking sunset at Bing’s Landing--

There is also a formal garden on the west side of the state park.

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Ah-h-h ... George Gershwin had it right, “summertime and the livin’ is easy ...”! Summer is near ...  that magical feeling of time stretching out in front of you, probably a carryover from the summers of my childhood in Neptune Beach, FL!

As a teacher, the summer means so many things ... another end to a school year, a time to reflect the good points and set goals for next year, and the ability to relax and enjoy some free time with family and friends.

As a photographer, summer means  ...  the opportunity to travel farther afield, to check out new locations, try out new gear and software, read up on the latest trends and fellow photographers, to further perfect my craft, and set additional business goals.

One of my new business goals is to begin exhibiting at more festivals and fairs. In a couple of weeks I plan to be one of the vendors at the Sweetwater Wekiva Farmers' Market Sundays, which runs from 9:00-3:00. This farmers' market has just celebrated its first anniversary, and I'm confident that this event  will continue to grow, based on the show of support from the local community. 

See the farmers' market webpage at www.sweetwaterwekivafarmersmarket.com

I'm still in the planning phase of selecting locations for nature and landscape photography, but have plans to visit The Nature Conservancy's Disney Wilderness Preserve and the West Coast of Florida, specifically the Weeki Wachee area. I also want to revisit some of my favorite spots: Atlanta, GA, St. Augustine, Orlando Wetlands Park, Gatorland, Washington Oaks State Park, Bing's Landing and Wekiwa Springs State Park. 

Visit my website for photos from these special places: www.claireclosson.com

Stay tuned for more on my photographic journey. 

And hear's to a summer filled with everything of which you dream! 

Claire :)