by James Huffstodt

Life-long bird lover Juli deGrummond of Tallahassee invited birdwatchers from around the world to come and see Florida’s fabulous birds in a June 28 video shoot at Torreya State Park.

“Come to Florida and enjoy its abundant, varied, and beautiful bird life,” she said.

The video was made with the cooperation of Apalachee Audubon for VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism marketing firm, serving as Florida’s official information source for visitors from across the globe. The birding video is part of their effort to encourage Florida eco-tourism.

The one-minute spot will most likely be featured on YouTube, Facebook, and other major social media outlets sometime in the next year. The message emphasizes that Florida not only offers beautiful beaches and popular theme parks but also some of the best birding in North America.

*Juli deGrummond smiling for the camera*

Juli was interviewed atop the bluff overlooking the Apalachicola River on a blistering hot and humid day. The shoot was conducted by Orange Video, LLC of Tallahassee under contract to VISIT FLORIDA.

The crew consisted of Orange Video Producer-Partner Vy Nguyen, a Florida State University (FSU) graduate who majored in media design; and Cinematographer-Partner Ethan Caswell, also an FSU graduate who majored in graphic art.

During the interview a Florida summer resident, a Red-eyed Vireo, sat atop a nearby tree snag perhaps nodding in agreement with the message of welcome to the world’s bird lovers.

Once the interview was complete cinematographer Caswell shot extensive background video of deGrummond leading several other Apalachee Audubon members on a winding hike down a steep trail leading to the river bottom 150 feet below. He also piloted a radio-controlled camera drone to capture dramatic footage of the scenic Apalachicola River valley.

*Kathleen and James Carr, birding for the video shoot*

Participants included AAS members Kathleen Carr, James Carr, and Jim Huffstodt, all of Tallahassee. Other participants that sultry morning were 13 species of birds, including a Mississippi Kite, Great Crested Flycatcher, a Hooded Warbler, and the Red-eyed Vireo.

Torreya State Park in Liberty County consists of 13,000 acres along the scenic Apalachicola River bluff near Bristol, Florida about 50 miles west of Tallahassee. The site offers some of the best birding in the Florida Panhandle hosting more than 100 different species during the year.

The park was one of the first in Florida developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The park’s name stems from an endangered Florida Evergreen tree, Torreya taxifolia, honoring noted American botanist John Torrey.