Circle B Bar Reserve: A Wildlife Photographer’s Guide to

Rise and Shine (Unfortunately)

If you want the best photos you have to show up early. I found the best time is right after sunrise, most of the wildlife are just waking up and eating breakfast. The light is soft, the air is almost pleasant (a rare thing in Florida), and the animals are actually doing things instead of just melting in the ground.

Evenings are just as good.

Golden light, dramatic skies (Florida surprise storms), and slightly less regret about being awake.

Midday?

Oh, midday is when both you and the wildlife both decide to stop. During the summer months Florida is known for its heat and humidity. If you are there midday you will notice that you are the only thing that is active. Including other humans, However if you are looking for portraits of lounging turtles or gators, there are still many photo ops.

Circle B Bar Reserve

This is a 1200 acre nature reserve located near Lakeland, Florida. The land was purchased in 2000 and converted from a working ranch into a nature reserve to protect wildlife and restore natural wetlands.It sits along Lake Hancock and helps protect the Banana Creek marsh system.

Known for close-up wildlife viewing, especially:

Alligators (very common!)

Bald eagles

River otters

Bobcats

Visitors often say it’s one of the best places in Central Florida to see wild alligators in their natural habitat.

Circle B also offers some of the best maintained trails I have seen. They wind through open fields, marshes even through big lakes.So there is always something new to see. Along those trails you will experience just about everything central Florida has to offer from a nature and wildlife standpoint

Best areas for wildlife photography

Don't get me wrong this place is great all around for nature and wildlife photography, but 2 trails stood out to me.

1 Marsh Rabbit Run

This is where I captured the bobcat chasing down a rabbit. The rabbit only got away because it dove head first into the water and the bobcat seen a group of us and stopped. This gave me the split second opportunity to photograph it panting. Although i would love to take credit for seeing it first but I was walking away and another photographer that was there spotted it coming out of the brush and called it out. This trail is probably the best one at Circle B. It is mostly shaded with trees (huge benefit in Florida) and the prime spot for bird spotting.

2 Alligator Alley

This trail is pretty long, wrapping around major lakes and come through the middle of the wetlands with marshes on both sides. It is not unusual for 10ft alligators to be laying with feet of you on both sides of the trail. The are very docile during the day time unless it is mating season. I have not experienced this though but I am told the routinely close down the most active trails during this time for safety.

Things to consider...

If you decide to go for the day. There are some things I recommend doing or taking with you.

1. There are limited bathrooms... actually none on the trails. This trails can be very time consuming depending on your walking speed. The only bathroom I seen were at the Nature Discovery Center. Which by the way is a must check out. Many interactive exabits and water fountains. However be warned, my wife said it tastes like water hose water (which it does) but I love water hose water. It brings back nostalgia of childhood. What can I say I'm a 90,s baby.

2. Its Florida.... its going to be hot (yes even in the cooler months. Just be prepared for a lot of open trails exposed to the sun. I would suggest bringing water, then backup water, then backup water to your backup water. Also sunscreen, hats, sun shirts are a must. Basically anything you can do to keep yourself cool and taking photos.

3 Respect Wildlife You will notice that the wildlife absolutely does not care that you are there. So it will not be uncommon just to walk up on a 12ft alligator laying 6 inches from the trail. Just be mindful of your surroundings and respect that these are wild animals.

Final Thoughts

Circle B Bar Reserve has quickly become my favorite local spot to enjoy wildlife in their natural environment. It offers some of the best birding photo opportunities with 200+ species at the reserve.

It hosts everything from alligators, otters, bobcats, birds and more. This is must do for anyone in the area that enjoys nature and wildlife photography. Also anyone that enjoys hiking and exercising in nature. There are miles and miles of trails.

While walking on the trails there are many educational signs to learn about the animals and even more about the reserve.

I would also recommend checking out the Nature Discovery Center. There are many interactive exabits and a giant tree in the middle that kids can climb under the routes into a secret room.

But don't just take my word for it get out and explore. There is an entire world out there.

Stay Wild

-ISO Wild Studio

Circle B Bar Reserve

4399 Winter Lake Rd, Lakeland, FL 33803, USA