OKEECHOBEE -- Okeechobee offers enough to keep cameras clicking all year long, whether you are into landscapes, wildlife, or shooting the stars. Take a ride out on the lake to see wading birds and alligators, drive down to the Jaycee pier — 200 SR 78, Okeechobee, open daily sunrise to sunset — for spectacular sunrises, sunsets, and shorebirds, or hike the rim trail for everything from owls to bobcats. The area offers multiple STA’s including Lakeside Ranch North — County Rd 15B, half mile west of SR 710, open sunrise to sunset Friday-Monday and the recently opened South section — Highway 441, 2 ½ miles south of 15B, open sunrise to sunset Friday-Monday. White-tailed deer and otters are waiting for you at both Taylor Creek — Highway 441, 4 miles north of SR 70, open daily sunrise to sunset and Nubbin Slough — Highway 710, 1 mile north of 15A, open daily sunrise to sunset. Other areas to explore include Grassy Island Trail — 1901 Hillard Road, Okeechobee open daily sunrise to sunset, C. Scott Driver Park — 10100 W SR78, Okeechobee open 24 hours and Okee-Tantie — 10430 W SR78, Okeechobee, open 24 hours. If you feel like venturing further out of town, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park — 33104 NW 192nd Ave, Okeechobee, open daily sunrise to sunset is one of the best places in Florida to see the Milky Way. It is no wonder that nature photographers everywhere consider Okeechobee “Florida’s Best Kept Secret.” If you would like to get to know other photographers in the area, many can be found in the Okeechobee Nature Photographers Facebook group run by Joanie and Andrew Tomlin and their friend Neville Gazer.