Florida Wildlife Adventure

Ryan Jakubowski
10 hours ago
3 min read

June 18–21, 2026

Port St. Lucie & Hutchinson Island, Florida

Sometimes the best trips aren't packed with theme parks or busy schedules—they're about slowing down and appreciating nature. My recent getaway to Florida from June 18–21 did exactly that.

From the moment I stepped off the plane, it felt like summer had turned up to full blast. Temperatures remained in the 90s every day, with the Florida humidity making it feel even warmer. Like clockwork, afternoon thunderstorms would roll across the Treasure Coast, bringing heavy rain, flashes of lightning, and dramatic cloud formations before giving way to sunshine once again. Those constantly changing skies made every day feel unique and provided some beautiful scenery throughout the trip.

One of the coolest sets of condos I have seen! The bright colors lined up row after row. What a fun place to stay. (We did not stay here)

I stayed in Port St. Lucie, spending time exploring the nearby waterways, neighborhoods, and making several trips over to Hutchinson Island. Between the marinas, beaches, mangroves, and quiet canals, there was no shortage of opportunities to photograph Florida's incredible wildlife.

One of the first memorable encounters came when I watched a Little Blue Heron successfully catch a small fish along the shoreline. Moments later, a majestic Great Egret stood proudly atop a streetlight, scanning the area below as if it owned the coastline.

At one of the local marinas, I captured a Brown Pelican just as it was coming in for a landing, wings fully extended and feet reaching for the dock below. Those split-second moments are what make wildlife photography so rewarding.

One of my favorite images from the trip features a Wood Stork gliding just inches above calm water, creating an almost perfect reflection beneath it. Wood Storks are one of Florida's most fascinating birds, and seeing one fly so gracefully was definitely a highlight.

The wildlife wasn't limited to birds. While exploring the freshwater ponds and canals, I photographed a beautiful Florida Red-bellied Cooter, one of the state's common freshwater turtles, slowly swimming through the dark water.

One of the biggest surprises came while visiting the waterfront, where I was lucky enough to spot several West Indian Manatees. Watching these gentle giants slowly glide beneath the surface was an unforgettable experience. Despite their enormous size, they move with remarkable grace and are surprisingly peaceful animals. Seeing them in their natural habitat is something every wildlife enthusiast should experience at least once.

Even the smallest wildlife made an impression. Around the hotel and nearby buildings, tiny Tropical House Geckos darted across walls after sunset. One in particular had beautiful reddish coloring around its head, making it stand out among the others. These little lizards are excellent climbers and help keep insect populations under control, making them welcome residents throughout much of Florida.

Of course, no trip to Florida feels complete without searching for an alligator.

The pond behind where I was staying was home to at least four gator,s and although I managed to walk along the water several times, it clearly wasn't interested in becoming part of my photo collection. Every time I grabbed my camera, it must have sensed it and slipped beneath the water. Until the last day, just before sunset and after a storm, he popped his head up slightly to show off his eyes and nose to let me know he was there and give me a quick shot. Much appreciated!

Between the warm weather, afternoon thunderstorms, beautiful coastal scenery, and an incredible variety of wildlife—from Little Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Brown Pelicans, Wood Storks, turtles, geckos, and manatees to the elusive alligator—Florida once again proved why it's one of my favorite places to explore with a camera in hand.

Whether I was walking the beaches of Hutchinson Island, photographing birds around the marinas, or simply watching wildlife around Port St. Lucie, there always seemed to be another amazing scene waiting around the next corner.

Sometimes the best souvenirs aren't the ones you bring home—they're the memories and photographs that remind you just how incredible nature can be.