Birdin Ben in Lakeland

My buddy, Woody, an endangered American Wood Stork, suggests it's time for me to crawl out of my shell. I've really hidden from my old friends and have done nothing to start the new life I face. This is an attempt to move ahead in the straight forward way I previously lived my life.

THIS Web Address--IS THE FORMER HOME of the fishing guide and writer/photographer Ben Taylor, more frequently referred to as tarponguide. Might have a book and some photos in me yet but I can't fish at a level which might suit me.

If you came for the birds go straight ahead to SOME LAKELAND BIRDS.

I've long been fascinated by the birds of Florida and the beauty many top photographers, whether amateur or pro, capture. My curiousity peaked rather conveniently as my doctors insisted I get out of the boat March, 2005. I'm sorry to dissapoint you if you've come to see my fishing site. Before I can get it back up, I had to change my hosting arrangement, which demands a new site. I intend to maintain the obvious favorite pages and will post it shortly. If you don't know me, I spent 20 years guiding on the fabled flats of the Florida Keys.

I have tales to tell for those who know me. If you don't know me, please bear with me, as I update current happenings before moving on. We knew, Steffi and me, in June we had to leave the Keys or lose everthing for a lack of funds. At this point I had worked 29 days in 25 months. We were living fine on equity but it's not forever stuff. I told three people I was thinking of selling the house and all made bids.

It was a little house with no water view but we made enough to fund a manufactured home on 2 1/2 acres in the woods of the Green Swamp, just outside of Lakeland. It's another area of state critical concern, Florida's second largest aquifer I think, and lots of wildlife. It's very private and built out yet we're only 15 minutes to major shopping. We also hid enough money to keep us eating for a reasonable few years.

I'm amazed by the medical care I'm getting. We're dealing with one clinic hosting five specialists I need the most. They cross book for me and share lab work. For the most part I am now comfortable. They've got me out and about but poling a boat is out of the question.

It's taking us a long time to gain control of the house though we got here in July.. We try to bird a couple days a week while we search for hot spots. We shoot a lot of birds at home, as the front yard is about a football field in size and the back about two. This does not include the hundreds of trees on the lot. Most border the lot so we are hunkered down within a very private retreat. While we have a surprising variety of birds here, we need field trips to target the local threatened and endangered group with a camera. Our occasional eagles soar in the clouds!

We miss the Keys a bunch and really hadn't contemplated leaving. This is a bit more consistent with our current means though and the care giver situation is very favorable for extending and enjoying life beyond what was available to us.

I will get much of the fishing site up but this will now focus more on my current pursuits. It's a strange place in some regards, with some rather hard to find birds living in the heart of town. We like it and are grateful we could make a change. I sure miss tarpon and bonefish at fly rod range. It's Thanksgiving morning and I can't say enough how lucky I am to have to seen life in the Keys and to have my chance here.

Do check out the bird situation at SOME LAKELAND BIRDS.