My Photography at The Circle B Bar Reserve
Do You Like Wildlife Photography?
If you love (or even like) wildlife or nature photography I believe that you will find this hub to be entertaining and hopefully informative. The best place in central Florida that I have so far found for nature and or wildlife photography is the Circle B Bar Reserve. The entrance to this photographer's paradise is located at 4399 Winter Lake Rd, Lakeland, FL 33803. It is about 1,267 acres or nearly two square miles of prime wildlife photography opportunities on and near Lake Hancock. In the spring and summer the wildlife is not as abundant as it is in the fall and winter because many of the migratory birds have gone back north for their breeding and nesting seasons. Even in summer you still have a plethora of animals and plants that are native to Florida. The more commonly seen animals are Alligators, Squirrels, Armadillos, Great Blue Herons, Osprey's and American Bald Eagles to name just a few.
I have been visiting and photographing at the Circle B Bar Reserve for several years now and have never actually been disappointed by the photographic opportunities on each trip. I think that my most disappointing day there was a rainy, drizzly mid-winter day that provided only about 100 opportunities to photograph some type of bird or animal.
Wildlife Photographs That I Created at the Circle B Bar Reserve
A Brief History of the Circle B Bar Reserve
In 1949 Al and Betty Bellotto bought a large section of land on the shores of Lake Hancock which they turned in to a Citrus and Cattle operation. What is now known As the Circle B Bar Reserve was originally founded as the Cattle B Bar Ranch. In order to create pastureland they changed the course of the Banana Creek marsh system. Over the next few decades the Bellotto's expanded their citrus and cattle industries to more than twelve hundred acres.
In 1994 the Polk County Environmental Lands Program was initiated and funded. With the assistance of the Southwest Florida Management District, in 2000 the land was purchased as a key to the enhancement and protection of the Upper Peace River Watershed. By 2006 most of the initial restoration projects were completed and the original watershed was nearly restored to original. The area is administered by Polk county, Florida to enhance the outdoor recreational opportunities as well ensure that the environment is maintained.
As a result of this marsh system restoration project, the Circle B Bar Reserve is home to many native Floridian species of birds year round and in the winter season a great home to many migratory species of birds. The marsh restoration has also been of great benefit to other non-avian species of plants and animals. It is an ecologically diverse habitat for many species of plants and animals in central Florida.
The result of the Banana Creek restoration has been to enhance or create the Oak hammock, freshwater marsh, hardwood swamp and the lakeshore features of the area.
Wildlife Photos From the Circle B Bar Reserve
My Hope is That These Wildlife Photographs Illustrate the Diversity
I sincerely hope that these wildlife photographs give you a feel for the awesome natural beauty to be found at the Circle B bar Reserve.
© 2018 Chris Mercer
