So. California Bird Photography Locations

I'm planning on visiting Southern California in late November and

would be interested in advice on good locations for bird

photography. Places that I've heard of (and plan to check out),

include Bolsa Chica Lagoon, Newport Back Bay, and the beaches around

LaJolla. Any other good locations? The new ABA guide to the area

lists many other interesting places, but birders' hot spots are not

always ideal locations for photography. Thanks.

1st in Los Angeles County, try Malibu Lagoon. You walk just a couple of minutes from where you park you car, and you have a nice small estuary. The typical gulls, terns, waterfowl, and other common birds can be very tame, as they are use to lots of people and surfers passing by on the pathway out to the beach. Malibu Lagoon is next to the Malibu Pier (presently closed).

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The basic rule goes for Bolsa Chica Reserve in Orange County. Parking is free and there is also a small boardwalk over a 200 yard section of the marsh/lagoon. Large wading birds can usually be photographed here, as well as other typical birds of lagoon/estuary habitat. Moring light is excellent here, and if you shoot autofocus, flight shots are a breeze from the boardwalk of gulls, terns, pelicans, and skimmers, as long as it is sunny.

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The La Jolla cliffs in San Diego county are great for cormorants & pelicans. However you might be alittle early to photograph Brown Pelicans in their brilliant colored breeding plumange, which is usually best in Jan.-Feb., but it is still always worth a visit. Flight shots can also be good here, if it is sunny.

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Study your routes on the maps, and avoid driving at rush hour times, or you will be in traffic!

I've also heard that Salton Sea is pretty good, although I haven't

ever been there myself, so I can't speak from experience.

There are many, many, birding photography areas along the Southern

California Coast, especially the areas you mentioned, and more South

of Camp Pendleton. South from Oceanside, just follow the coast route

and every 10 miles or so you will find an estuary, lagoon, or slough.

All are great bird spots, most are very accessible for bird

photography (long lens, of course).

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The beaches around La Jolla are photogenic, but for birds I think you

can make better use of your shooting time elsewhere. In the San Diego

area, some of the better birding photography spots are near the Mexico

border, such as the Tijuana Slough NWR, and the Sweetwater Lakes

region.

In the Santa Ana Mountains, about 50 minutes on the Santa Ana Freeway

from central L.A., there is a "Tucker Sanctuary" that i learned about

from the old "Lane: Birding in So. California" guide. The sanctuary

has feeders, so the opportunities for closeup photography are good.

I've gotten good shots of Band Tailed Pigeon, California Quail,

Golden Crowned Sparrow, Anna's Hummer, Acorn Woodpecker, et al. I'm

sorry to be vague, but my notes are at home. I'm sure other posters

can fill in the specifics. I do know, however, that from there it's a

short 25 minute ride on Rt.55 to Newport Beach, so you can do the

Sanctuary, Back Bay, and Bolsa Chica all in one day. It's worth

checking out.

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Good shooting

This site should give you a good start. They are birders' sites but should be worth checking out. I would start with Bolsa Chica, and Upper Newport like you indicated. I am also interested in Seal Beach Naval Weapons Depot (limited access on Saturdays) but have never been there. I would check any water sites because of the variety and concentration of birds.

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http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/uscalifornia.htm

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Good luck.