Florida is one of my favorite places to visit. Growing up in Washington, I’ve always loved the lush green fields, towering mountains, misty waterfalls, stretches of desert, and of course, the rugged beauty of the West Coast beaches. There's so much variety in the landscape here—but when it comes to birds, Florida has my heart.
I try to make the trip at least once a year, and every time I do, I feel a bit of sadness creeping in the day I have to leave. The birdlife there is simply incredible. I love all the egrets—especially the quirky and elusive reddish egret—the shorebirds darting along the waves, the roseate spoonbills with their splash of pink, sandhill cranes with their prehistoric grace, towering herons, storks, vibrant red cardinals, every kind of owl, and most recently, wild flamingos making a surprise comeback. Honestly, the list goes on… but you get the picture: birds galore.
And of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the alligators and other fascinating (and sometimes unsettling) creatures you just don’t find in Washington. That wild, untamed side of Florida makes it feel like a world away—an exotic destination tucked right here in the U.S., and about as different from my home state as it gets.
