If you’re looking to capture some stunning nature photography, Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland is one place where you can get some terrific shots.
It’s also the place you’ve seen on social media or the news where visitors spot alligators lunging across walking trails with their prehistoric bodies and plopping down right in the middle of the trail. Um, execuse me, but guess I’ll turn around now?
Yeah, it’s that wild.
Over the years, we’ve watched Circle B become more and more popular, from our first visit in 2010 while new to Florida and living in Lakeland until now, where southwest Florida is our home but we still try to make it to the almost 1,300-acre preserve at least twice a year.
Circle B attracts 4,000 to 6,000 visitors a week now, and you definitely get the sense you’re not alone.
Yet still, the park remains one of the best places in central Florida to get some great pics and see nature out in the open.
Not convinced? Here are just a few of the wildlife happenings we’ve observed at Circle B in the past five years:
–An alligator that came out of the water and laid itself down on the trail about 30 feet in front of us. After emitting an, “Oh, fudgenut!” (well, it was actually another word) and observing him from afar, we turned back the other way.
–An alligator that was already on the Alligator Alley trail beside Lake Hancock. A squirrel bravely ran past him without getting attacked. One man–surely a “Florida man”–got a little too close to comfort but remained unscathed. Again, we turned back and went the other way.
–An egret eating a dragonfly
–An alligator in Lake Hancock eating…we aren’t too sure what he was eating. A duck?
–A heron eating a frog
–A raccoon right beside the trail clawing the dirt
–A squirrel that looked right at us, seeming to say, “You talkin’ to me?”
–A different raccoon that seemed to pose for the camera
–Dozens of alligators floating around Lake Hancock as if it was their personal lazy river…because, it actually is
OK, so you’re convinced that Circle B Bar Reserve is a good place to visit to snap cool pics, but what’s the best way to go about getting those photos? Maybe you like photography, but you’re not that guy or gal walking around the park with a huge camera and tripod. You just have your phone or perhaps a nicer camera that’s taking up space in your closet.
Our tips below address safety and logistics so you can focus on just taking the best snaps possible at Circle B.
8 Photography Tips for Your Next Park Visit
—Visit the park earlier or later in the day–or a time of year when the animals you want to see will be more active. You’ll probably find that wildlife is more active at those times, and you should have better lighting. Fortunately, Circle B is open from sunrise to sunset, both of which are times we’d recommend for visits. (Plus, you’ll beat the crowds.) Alligator mating season is from April to June, which is when you’re even more likely to see the gators around.
—Wear good walking shoes and comfortable clothing. Circle B is big, and many of the trails butt up against grass and plants. Good walking shoes–not flip-flops–along with the right clothing will allow you to focus all of your attention on your photography instead of blisters.
—Stay still. If you have the secret to getting the perfect animal-in-action shot every time, please tell us your secret. There are numerous times when we’ve gone to take a cool nature pic, and the bird flies away, the alligator goes back in the water, or the insect leaps into deeper grass. One solution? Stay still so you can observe and be ready to snap pics. You also can take a video and then isolate the best video footage to turn it into a photo–a technique we’ve used for beach storms to get lightning pics.
—Don’t get in nature’s way. If you’re reading an article like this, it’s probably because you’re respectful of wildlife and want to become even more respectful and savvy. Yet we’ll still make these statements: Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland is not Disney World. The nature is very real, and we’re fortunate to go there and observe them in their habitat. Stay out of their way and let them live their life. This is important for all animals there but especially the famous alligators. Gators are actually shy but they’ll also defend themselves and can seriously injure or even kill. If they’re on the trail, turn around and go back the way you came.
—Be prepared for the unpredictable. You may go to Circle B with the idea of getting some awesome gator pics, only to walk around and only spot one gator waaaayyy off in the distance on Lake Hancock. Or, you arrive and see that a popular trail, like Alligator Alley, is closed or flooded. Unpredictability is the nature (so to speak!) of the game in wildlife photography. If you don’t get the types of shots you want, hopefully you can still enjoy a peaceful walk around the park.
—Take what you can carry, but don’t forget water and sun protection. Are you ready to carry your phone, a water bottle, and anything else you may need for your adventure? How about sunscreen if you plan to be there for a while? We definitely recommend sunscreen and perhaps even bug spray, although we’ve personally never had bug problems at Circle B. You may want to consider bringing a fanny pack (are they fashionable again or back out of style? LOL) or a backpack for your items.
—Take a look at the map in advance. This doesn’t mean you need to plan exactly where you will go in advance, although if that appeals to you, go for it. It just means that Circle B is large, with around 10 trails of different lengths. Some have shade, and some do not. You’re more likely to see gators on some trails than others–our fave route for gator spotting is walking 10 minutes or so from the main parking area to Heron Hideout and then reaching Aligator Alley (there’s also a pier in the middle that’s good for a break and pics) and then taking Shady Oak to return to your car or Polk’s Nature Discovery Center. Whether you want to wing it or plan your route, having some sense of the map will serve you well. Here’s a link to the Circle B Bar Reserve map online but you also can find map signs at the park (take a picture of it) or get a copy of the map at the Discovery Center.
—Don’t miss Polk’s Nature Discovery Center. This cool nature center located inside the reserve near the main parking area has bathrooms, water fountains, and a cool wildlife feel to it. Plus, it’s literally cool with the AC keeping things comfy after you’ve made your way around the park on a hot day. You’ll also learn more about the park’s wildlife during your visit and may find just a couple more fun photos to snap, albeit in a more controlled environment!
Polk’s Nature Discovery Center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. It’s closed on Mondays.
Admission to Circle B as well as the Discovery Center are free.
Enjoy your visit to Circle B and don’t miss some of Lakeland’s other great attractions–see our article here for more info!!
