Birding in Florida is great any time of year!


We offer packages for birders, naturalists, photographers, paddlers and everyone in between. Florida is the migratory path for many birds and we have the ability to get up close and personal with them through our guided kayak tours. There are many springs and rivers that flow through Central Florida, some of which parallel wildlife sanctuaries that are stopping points for many of the migratory birds both high land and low land. Our guides are well versed in the plant and animal life that roams this great state. We invite you to join us as we guide you on an Eco journey that will introduce you to many of our feathered friends. Bring your binoculars, it's a beautiful site! Central Florida Nature Adventures, LLC will facilitate a trip that you are sure to enjoy! We can be contacted at jenniferkayaks@yahoo.com or 352-589-7899.
Check out the video Steven Chan put together for us below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ID7UI3aEmM

Choose from many different birding tours or create your own!

Dora Canal
A local icon, old Florida cypress swamp. Big trees and lots of birds. The Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Osprey, Tri-colored & Night Herons, Anhinga and Cormorants all nest in these tall trees. The sounds from the rookery lets us know that Spring has sprung. Summer brings with it the sights and sounds of the bright yellow Prothonotary Warbler! A real nice 2-3 hour getaway from it all!!!!
Level of Difficulty: No Experience Necessary $59.00

Wekiva River
Three springs pour into this pristine river. The Great Egret, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Pileated Woodpecker, Swallow-tailed Kite, Tricolored & Green Heron as well as many other waterfowl flourish on this river. The Ivory-billed Woodpecker at one time called this home.
Level of Difficulty: No Experience Necessary $59.00 or $89.00 depending on the tour you choose

Lil’ Amazon
Come paddle one of Lake County’s hidden gems. This river lazily takes you back in time. With Emeralda Island Bird Sanctuary to the East and Lake Griffin to the West, it’s a wildlife odyssey. All forms of wading birds make this area home for the winter. Look close for rarities such as Black Crowned Night Herons, Limpkins, White Pelicans, Wood Storks and maybe even a Purple Gallinule, they are all here! Bald Eagles, Red Tailed and Red Shouldered Hawks and Owls of all sorts are often seen as well. If you want to see the other Florida, this is it!
Level of Difficulty: No Experience Necessary $89.00

Silver River
Exceptionally scenic! Some twists and turns of this river can reach depths of over 25 ft and it’s so clear that you can see the bottom at any depth. You will definitely hone your paddling skills going upstream but a first magnitude spring makes the trip back a breeze! You’ll have a chance to see lots of wildlife; otters, wading birds, hawks, owls, raccoons, wild pigs and more. See giant garfish, armored catfish, bowfin and maybe even a monkey or 12.
Level of Difficulty: Must be In Good Shape or you will be when you’re done $99.00

Photographers Tour

This is a tour for the serious photographer. We have the ability to access some of the most pristine waterways early in the morning and late in the evening when photo taking is at it's best. So, for the photographer who wants to hire a guide for the day, we offer a package that includes being introduced to the wildlife and waters in our tandem kayak. You paddle very little if at all, let the guide take you to the birds and you take the photographs!
Half day $100.00 Full day $200.00
To prepare for your excursion, here is a quick checklist of items you will need to bring:

1. Binoculars
2. Your lunch (depending upon trip time and duration)
3. Non-alcoholic beverages
4. Sun block and maybe a hat
5. Sun glasses
6. Proper attire and water shoes (old sneakers will do just fine)

Also, it's always good to dress in layers. That is a great way to maximize your comfort. During the warmer months, you might want to bring an extra set of clothes with you and a towel. That way you are prepared if you decide to cool off in the water.

Your guide will provide:
A cooler with ice to store your lunch and beverages, dry bags, a first aid kit, drinking water, the kayaks, paddles, PFD (life jackets), narration and education of Florida's diverse flora and fauna, some peace & quiet and a great time!

Restrictions:
There are no alcoholic beverages allowed on our tours...there is plenty of time for that afterwards!
Relax and enjoy Florida’s Natural settings… your body and brain will thank you!

The beautiful American Bittern


Want a great way to see them? By kayak of course! January 27th, 2010

Bill's birding tour Janyary 2010


A Birder's Christmas Tree!

What a sight to see, the wispy tail of the Little Blue Heron in flight. And by the way, I worked really hard for this catch and no offense but I wasn't planning to share it with anyone!

Marc Kuropatwa's birding adventure January 2010


Marc Kuropatwa went birding with lead guide Kenny and these are just a few of the birds they encountered!

Silver River 11/24/09


Bruce, Kim and Ken spent the day with the wildlife on Silver River. In a kayak, you can get respectfully close to the animals and never bother them at all and the springs are just breath taking!

Judy & Alex Gladshtein's Dora Canal





See if you can you name all these birds?

From Canada to Silver River 11/20/09




Silver River is a spectacular place for birding, just ask Chris and Chanie Pritchard. The Turtles, Monkeys, Anhinga, Little Blue Heron, Great Egret and Black Crowned Night Heron came out to say hello and so did the Spider Lily! Thanks Chris and Chanie for sharing your photos with us!

Birding on the Dora Canal, November is a great time to be on the water!


The Anhinga were fishing in full force on the Dora Canal today!

Sandhill Cranes and their new little white baby November 2009

Dora Canal 11/6/09


Nothing like paddling with the Anhingas on Dora Canal!

Bill Eury's Kayaking Adventure


The Little Blue Heron in the white phase looks on as the Palamedes Swallowtail gets some nectar from the Cardinal Flower.

Mike & Linda's Wekiva River day 10-10-09


And at the end of the tour, we got to see the Turkeys as they were having their lunch.

From Michigan to Dora Canal

October 8th, 2009 was a beautiful day for a Dora Canal kayak tour. Chris and Carla sure enjoyed the wildlife!


Silver River Birding 9/30/09


Blackwater Lake 9/26/09


The Osprey just love Blackwater Lake's cypress trees for nesting and the Quilleaf enjoy them too!

Wekiva River 9/13/09


The Little Blue Herons are growing up. This one has almost finished the transformation to full adulthood. What an amazing site!



Amy Munizzi took this photo of the Snowy Egret and was kind enough to share it with us. You never know who might be out there doing some fishing on a warm Florida day!

Saturday July 11th, a beautiful day on the Wekiva River


There was lots to see today. The baby Gator was recharging his batteries, the baby Anhinga's were snuggled in their tree house and the Green Heron was out hunting for a snack. Just a few of the sites we see on Forida's rivers. These photos are compliments of Marc Dobbs. Thanks for sending these over Marc!

July 3rd, 2009


The Hummingbirds help to pollinate the Cardinal Flower while this young
Yellow-crowned Night Heron celebrates his Independence!

Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, ME


video


CFNA got the opportunity to paddle in Maine. This video was taken on Long Pond. If you listen closely, you can hear the pair of Loons that are in the video. What an absolutely beautiful place!

Click on the photo to enlarge and click the > on the video to view.

Silver River May 30th, 2009



As the Cormorants play in the water a baby Anhinga is emerging from the depths of it's nest.

Dora Canal a great place to be!


Paul Sprunger and Friends paddled the Dora Canal and you can see why the birds like it too!

Chuck-Wills-Widow babies

Mike & Dawn LaRoe had us over to see the babies. You may have to look closely,
for they are the color of the pine needles and leaves in which they are laying.

Mother's Day 2009

We got to spend Mother's Day on the River. I can't think of a better place to spend time!

Cherie Boyce's Dora Canal



Cherie Boyce paddled Dora Canal and shared these photos of the Great Blue Heron with us.
It's amazing how close you can get to the wildlife on a quietly gliding kayak!

Silver River 4/3/09


The season is fresh with the colors of nature! This Pointed Blue-Eyed Grass
is a special treat just like spending time on the River is.

The Prairie Iris and the White Ibis both in full Sring colors


Together, we can discover some of the most beautiful things.