Wildlife & Photography Excursions

What to Do

Florida has many outdoor activities to offer. One of the greatest ways to enjoy the state is to spend a day in nature. Immersing yourself in the wilds of Florida can be peaceful and relaxing, and a good way to spend time with family.

Located in east central Florida, Headwaters Lake is a premier destination for year-round bird watching and wildlife photography. 10,000 acres of pristine aquatic habitat is home to a myriad of resident birds, migratory birds, and other Florida wildlife.

Roseate Spoonbill & Snowy Egret

Dragonfly

Great Blue Heron

Little Blue Heron

The Boat

One of the best ways to observe waterfowl, wading birds, and other aquatic animals is by boat.

The 21’ Ranger Boat, operated by Fish Hand Guide Service, has large, flat decks and comfortable seating.

It is also a very stable platform from which to photograph birds and other aquatic flora and fauna.

When a quieter approach is necessary, an electric trolling motor can be utilized to gain a closer vantage point without unnecessarily disturbing the animals.

Being that this not an airboat, it provides a much more quiet and peaceful outing while observing creation.

The 21’ Ranger Boat, operated by Fish Hand Guide Service

Tricolored Heron

Common Gallinule

Dragonflies

Anhinga

The Birds

Headwaters Lake

At Headwaters Lake, there are several roosting sites and nesting locations used by birds.

Just after daylight, Anhingas, Roseate Spoonbills, Cattle Egrets, Herons, and other birds can be observed and photographed leaving their roosts to disperse throughout the lake to forage for food.

Birds like the Cattle Egret and the Tricolored Heron often nest on the small islands throughout Headwaters.

Some of these islands have cypress trees and brush for the birds to nest in.

Red-winged Blackbirds and Boat-tailed Grackles enjoy nesting and foraging in the many stands of cattails and other emergent vegetation.

Anhinga

Purple Swamp Hen

Great Blue Heron

Belted Kingfisher

Other Wildlife

Wildlife abounds at Headwaters Lake. Not only is it a fantastic location for photographing birds but also home to other wildlife.

The American Alligator is in abundance and sightings are likely and are a regular occurrence.

White-tailed deer and wild pigs have also been seen in the area of the boat ramp.

Raccoons, opossums, bobcats, and coyotes live in and near these marshy areas and occasional sightings are made.

American Alligator

Limpkin

Great Blue Heron

Little Blue Heron

Snowy Egrets

Osprey at Blue Cypress Lake

Osprey in a nest

In addition to Headwaters Lake, nearby Blue Cypress Lake is home to one of the highest densities of nesting Osprey in the southeastern United States.

During peak nesting times, multitudes of osprey can be observed nesting in the cypress trees that make up the entire shoreline of one of the most picturesque lakes in Florida.

Cypress trees at sunrise

Limpkin

Snowy Egret

Little Blue Heron

Location

Located in east central Florida, Headwaters Lake is a short drive to the beach and is also near the Orlando area (1½ hour drive).

Many quality hotels, resorts, and vacation rental homes are in the area.

Fine dining establishments line the waterfront in the nearby coastal towns of Sebastian and Vero Beach.

Limpkin

Great Blue Heron

A Cattle Egret and a Tricolored Heron

Green Heron

What We Do

Not only does Fish Hand Guide Service offer fishing trips, but we also offer personalized, private tours for bird watchers, wildlife photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, and families.

Tricolored Heron

Roseate Spoonbill

A pair of Cattle Egrets

Limpkin

Kinds of Birds

Some of the bird species that have been observed in the area are: Roseate Spoonbill, Great Blue Heron, Snail Kite, Osprey, Anhinga, Cormorant, Caspian Turn, Whistling Duck, Purple Gallinule, Common Gallinule, Blue-winged Teal, Black Duck, Red-winged Black Bird, Boat-tailed Grackle, Cattle Egret, Tricolored Heron, Green Heron, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Great White Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, White Ibis, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Little Blue Heron, Reddish Egret, Limpkin, White-faced Ibis, Glossy Ibis, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Sandpiper, Black-necked Stilt, Coot, American Crow, Purple Swamp Hen.