Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

This wildlife viewing blind offers a view of May’s Prairie, an ephemeral wetland where water levels rise and fall naturally with the seasons. Depending on the time of year, the prairie may be lush and flooded or dry and open, each condition offering different opportunities to observe wildlife. The surrounding pine forest provides year-round habitat for a variety of songbirds. In shallow areas, American lotus flowers often bloom across the water, adding beauty to the scene. May’s Prairie is a great place to bird, offering a chance to see species that change with the seasons. During winter, visitors may spot ducks such as ring-necked ducks feeding in the shallow waters, along with common yellowthroats and American bitterns. In summer, look for sandhill cranes, common gallinules, and wood ducks around the edges of the wetland. Whether wet or dry, May’s Prairie supports a rich diversity of habitats and wildlife.

By uploading your photos, you help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) monitor seasonal changes and support habitat conservation at Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental Area.

Chinsegut WEA

This observation deck overlooks Big Savannah Pond, one of several man-made impoundments designed to enhance wetland habitat. This site attracts a wide variety of birds, from vibrant roseate spoonbills and wood storks in late summer to bald eagles that can be seen year-round. When the wetlands are dry this area is foraged by wild turkey, white tailed deer, and mourning doves. The pond also provides important feeding and resting areas for migratory waterfowl and wading birds.

By sharing your photos at this Chronolog station, you help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) document seasonal changes in water levels, vegetation and wildlife activity at Guana River Wildlife Management Area over time.

Guana River WMA

This overlook off an accessible boardwalk offers panoramic views of Fisheating Creek, the last free-flowing waterway connecting to Lake Okeechobee. The creek’s appearance changes with the seasons, slowing to an intermittent flow during the dry months and spreading into braided streams and marshes after heavy rains. These seasonal shifts are vital for sustaining habitat and supporting diverse wildlife. From this vantage point, visitors may spot wading birds, grazing deer, and occasionally an alligator gliding through the water. The area is also a key stopover for migratory birds and supports native wildlife year-round.

By uploading your photos to Chronolog, you help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) track seasonal water patterns, habitat changes and ongoing conservation success at Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area.

Fisheating Creek WMA

The Cypress Boardwalk offers an up-close look at one of Florida’s most diverse and important wetland habitats. This unique area features old-growth hardwoods, seasonal wetlands and open understory that provide essential food and shelter for wildlife such as little blue herons, ospreys, owls, woodpeckers and tree frogs. As the seasons change, so do the water levels, vegetation and wildlife activity, making each visit a different experience.

By submitting your photo, you help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) document these changes over time and support conservation efforts to protect this special wetland at Andrews Wildlife Management Area for future generations.

Andrews WMA

This longleaf pine restoration site supports a variety of upland species, including northern bobwhites, gopher tortoises and southern fox squirrels. These species rely on the habitat’s open structure, with widely spaced trees, native grasses and wildflowers for nesting and foraging. To maintain these conditions prescribed fire is used to reduce dense mid-story hardwoods. This allows sunlight to reach the forest floor and encourages the growth of native groundcover. In turn, plant diversity increases, supporting the foraging and nesting needs of many wildlife species.

By contributing your photo to this Chronolog station, you help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) document landscape changes and track the progress of restoration efforts at L. Kirk Edwards Wildlife Environmental Area.

L. Kirk Edwards WEA

This site is part of a broader effort to restore native coastal habitats and improve tidal connectivity within the Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area. The area is managed to enhance natural functions, including the restoration of historic hydrological conditions and native plant communities. The surrounding mangrove swamp provide habitat for rare wildlife such as the white-crowned pigeon and serve as vital nursery grounds for many fish species. 

By uploading your photo to Chronolog, you help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) document ongoing restoration efforts at Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area.

Florida Keys WEA

This site is one of the last remaining undeveloped shorelines in the county, home to a mix of coastal, freshwater and saltwater habitats. Oyster reefs here help filter pollutants, support seagrass growth, and strengthen the health and resilience of the estuary. The area also provides vital nesting and foraging grounds for birds like piping plovers, least terns and black skimmers. In addition to being a vital habitat for wildlife, the area is also a cultural resource site in the form of a shell midden.

By adding your photo to this Chronolog station, you help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) monitor ongoing changes in the site’s condition and document long-term shifts, especially those caused by erosion. Your contribution also supports the protection of the rare and beautiful shoreline of Escribano Point Wildlife Management Area.

Escribano Point WMA

This viewing tower offers a panoramic view of the Gulf and the tidal marshes surrounding Hickory Mound Impoundment, a managed wetland system designed to enhance habitat for waterfowl, wading birds and other wildlife. The impoundment helps regulate water levels to support feeding, nesting and migration. Visitors can observe a wide variety of birds, including ducks, herons, egrets and raptors, making this a prime spot for wildlife viewing.

By contributing your photo, you help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) track seasonal changes and support the long-term conservation of this vital coastal habitat at the Hickory Mound Unit.

Big Bend WMA - Hickory Mound

On June 19, 1943, a routine World War II training flight ended in tragedy when a Lockheed Ventura PV-1 bomber lost control and crashed here, killing all seven airmen aboard.

Today, efforts are underway to restore and protect the diverse habitats of this area, supporting a wide range of resident and migratory wildlife. The site stands as both a place of natural importance and a memorial to those who gave their lives here.

By contributing your photo, you help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) document how this landscape changes over time at William Beardall Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.

Tosohatchee WMA

Perched above Peace Pond, this viewing platform offers a clear view of the successful restoration work that has brought this wetland back to a healthy, natural state. After seasonal rains, the pond fills and attracts flocks of wading birds and waterfowl. Visitors may hear the calls of sandhill cranes and spot herons, egrets and other birds feeding in the shallow water. The restored wetland now supports a wide variety of wildlife within the wildlife management area, providing essential habitat for many kinds of wildlife. 

By sharing your photos, you help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) support ongoing conservation efforts and highlight the importance of protecting Florida’s wetlands at Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area for future generations.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Florida

10 chronologs managed by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission