Pinnacles National Monument, CA

Anyone know if you can get photos of the condors there? Supposedly there are

10-15 birds, but I've never heard if you can get close enough with a < 5 mile

hike and a 300mm f/4 + TC to get "reasonable" pictures. Anyone with experience?

Are there other areas in that vicinity that might prove better?

I'm not familar with Pinnacles, but the Sespe Wilderness (formerly Sespe Condor Sanctuary) near Santa Barbara may be good - except for the drought and the season. Fall is a better time of year, and that's probably true for Pinnacles, too. You can contact the U.S. Forest Service (Ojai Ranger District) for better info......

People frequently get great looks at condors at Pinnacles, but I'm not sure whether they are "photo close" or whether your odds are good for getting such opportunities.

 

You might consider participating on one of the regular condor viewing trips run by the Ventana Wilderness Society in the Big Sur area:

 

http://www.ventanaws.org/

 

This web site provides the basic information and contact info.

If you are really lucky, you can get a chance for some good shot of condors there. I took this with my canon powershot and it only has a 3x zoom.

 

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid217/pbb1ea7fd2edd0ae269a33373715f96f3/ec4f5f9f.jpg.orig.jpg

forgot to mention, the pic was taken at the high peak trail.

I've hiked to the top of the mountain before and while I didn't see any, the view is definely conducive to photographing one in my opinion.<p>