ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014\u00a0Once written off as a polluted \u201cdead lake,\u201d Lake Apopka is now drawing visitors from across Central Florida to experience one of the region\u2019s biggest environmental comeback stories.<\/p>\n
The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive<\/a> gives guests a front-row seat to alligators, bald eagles and hundreds of bird species along an 11-mile scenic route through restored wetlands many call the \u201creal Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n Get more Florida on a Tankful<\/p>\n Take a ride with professional photographer Ryan Garrison<\/a>, and it quickly becomes clear he\u2019s always searching for the next wildlife encounter.<\/p>\n Whether spotting birds overhead or alligators basking in the sun, Garrison said the wildlife is impossible to miss.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you come early, early, and they won\u2019t see them like this, they\u2019ll be swimming around. But, yeah, they are literally everywhere,\u201d Garrison said while photographing one of the many alligators lining the roadway.<\/p>\n The wildlife drive allows visitors to travel through 20,000 acres of wetlands that now serve as a thriving wildlife sanctuary.<\/p>\n Garrison said every trip offers something different.<\/p>\n \u201cProbably see 20, 40, 50 different species of birds, especially if I go hang out with the birder nerds, who I love,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Those \u201cbirder nerds\u201d include Carrie Straight and her mother Ann, who travel from Georgia and Illinois every year to visit Lake Apopka.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we come because it\u2019s a great habitat for migratory birds,\u201d Straight said.<\/p>\n Visitors can also bike or walk portions of the drive and trails, with no cost to enter the restoration area.<\/p>\n But volunteers said guests should plan extra time because there is so much wildlife to see and car travel can be busy, especially on weekends.<\/p>\n About 12,000 people visit each month.<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough it\u2019s only 11 miles, it\u2019s going to take potentially two hours,\u201d volunteer Deborah Green said.<\/p>\n