Photographing Birds & Wildlife in Florida, Part 2. I almost didn't make it back from this one

[@wildwally9]

What an adventure....and you took the lemons and made lemonade! Being a native Floridian and residing in the panhandle of Florida I'd say you captured the real Florida. Here's a suggestion should you find yourself in a situation where you can't secure your gear in your vehicle....take the gear into the woods and hide what you don't want to carry. Go on your adventure and pickup your gear when you return. Enjoyed your videos of Florida as I do all the videos you post. Come back again!

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks so much, such a great tip too. I hope I never find myself in that situation again, but you never know. Thanks again, have a great week!

[@tracyreaume6451]

Glad you got some good wildlife watching in despite your setbacks.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you, it really turned out to be an outstanding trip!

[@keithmacdonald4805]

Great video Jimmy and I am glad you are OK, as a retired firefighter I know how dangerous smoke and the products of combustion can be. You got some great footage and some really nice images. I especially like the images of the Armadillo. You are much braver than I am, I couldn't see myself camping in a tent where there is snakes and alligators. Thanks for sharing your experience and I hope you and your family have a super Christmas and a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year!!

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks so much Keith. I'm glad I got out of that fire area when I did, that could have ended a tad worse. The Armadillo was so much fun, what a fun encounter that was! You know, I actually only saw one snake my entire trip and I was constantly on the lookout for them. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wish you a fantastic New Year!

[@allenfutrelle9090]

Florida is on my bucket list of places to see many, many species of wildlife of all sorts. Great job Jimmy!!

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

It's a phenomenal place and I hope you're able to visit someday! Thanks for watching 😊

[@robertlawrence7958]

What a stunning area and such a variety of wildlife. That image at around 14 mins in and again at the end, of the moss festooned trees is absolutely beautiful. When watching your videos I often think that the animals you photograph are pretty tolerant but it would seem that Florida wildlife takes tolerance to a whole new level! Many thanks for the entertainment you have given me through your videos over the past year. I hope you and your family have a great Christmas and I wish you all every happiness and success in 2024.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks so much Robert, I hope you've had a wonderful holiday season and wish you the best in the year to come! Florida wildlife, at least the wildlife in the areas I visited, truly brings tolerance to a whole new level. It's just mind blowing 🤯 Thanks again my friend, I always appreciate it!

[@terryroth2855]

That was quite the Adventure, Jimmy. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful Holiday Season.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks Terry, I always appreciate your kind words. Have a happy New Year!

[@old4004]

When I saw that you had drifted so far south from the Rockies, Jimmy, I wondered why? Then I realized it was because there it was warm enough for you to wear your sandals. Have a Merry Christmas..........hopefully at home with your family.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

🤣🤣 You may be partially right, it sure was nice wearing those sandals again! Yes, I had a wonderful Christmas at home with my beloved family, it was perfect. Thanks so much for the kind words, happy New Year!

[@ottrebane8269]

Nice of You to show the many hardships and struggles that You had to work through to get the photos, but it somehow makes me feel like "You are also just human". There is always something - some less than ideal circumstance that prevents me from getting the shot i would like. Seeing You fight through this smoke mess and car issues and still get Your perfect shots is in some way motivating (you just need to keep on going!) and slightly disheartening, at the same time (i never faced such bad situations but still fail to get shots with similar quality). Good video, nice armadillo. Merry Christmas, Jimmy!

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you for the kind words, Ott. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you a wonderful New Year full of awesome wildlife encounters. Ya know, I often find myself making excuses as to why I won't get the shot that I want before I try or when it starts to get harder. I think that's natural, at least I hope it is. But like you said, just keep going because persistence really does pay off. Put in the time, eliminate the excuses and the results will come. Thanks again Ott, I always appreciate your comments.

[@johnwelchphotography]

Oh man, what a bunch of bad luck you encountered! Good call getting out of the smoke area. Once I was out in Yosemite backcountry during a major wildfire season and it was brutal, my eyes were watering all day. Your situation sounds worse if carbon monoxide levels were that high. Glad you ended up making the most of what you could do. You are right, the wildlife is way more tolerant in Florida and the lush Spanish moss and palmetto environment is so cool. Really like the last armadillo image! They are abundant in the Southeast but usually stuffing their heads in brush so I would say you got a nice clean shot there.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks John! Yeah, it was such an odd series of events. But honestly I learned a lot and came away with some images I wouldn't have gotten otherwise, so I'm happy with the way it all turned out! I couldn't agree with you more, that part of the country is absolutely incredible, both the wildlife and the vegetation. Thanks for the support, John, I always appreciate it!

[@naturallyadriftphotoadvent123]

Merry Christmas! Thanks for sharing the highs and lows of your adventure! Gorgeous pics!

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks so much, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wish you an amazing year to come!

[@crittaker]

Great Video...I think I've been there. Thanks for sharing

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks so much for watching 😊

[@klaustomasini]

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks so much, same to you!

[@patrickthiriet9782]

Bonjour Jimmy, je suis désolé que ta voiture 🙄 Tu as réussi a faire une bonne récolte d images, ton séjour c est bien terminé Bonne continuation merci

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks so much! It all turned out alright in the end 😁