Places to photograph in SanDiego?

I'm heading to Sandiego July 12-16. I'm staying in Mission Bay and would love to know some places to get close to birds/wildlife.

I know LaJolla Cove has the sea lions.
I'm sure there are places for oystercatchers and skimmers right?

Any places that are within 25 min are welcome.

Thank you.

In the Member Activities forum, there is an excellent Southern California thread with people from all over the region participating, you can ask there!:

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1363611

Black Skimmers are happening right now at Bolsa Chica Reserve in Huntington Beach, but that is well past a 25 min drive.

Er ....Mission Bay has a nice selection of birds. You may want to look at San Diego Audubon and Palomar Audubon websites for possible locations.

Anywhere there is water there will be birds - Enjoy! Wish I was back there!

Thanks for the responses.
I looked at the Audubon site but birding and photography are very different as you all know.
Birders don't need to be close. Photographers do.

I was hoping for some local knowledge on spots I can get close to things.

Hey Jeremy,

I don't have a clue about San Diego to be honest, but I did do a search that may help you some, hopefully, or maybe it'll give you a lead or an idea. As far as being 25 minutes away, I wouldn't know, but you have to start somewhere. I just did a search for "San Diego bird photography" and found this, if you can think of more, I'd just do a quick search. Also, use the below places to fine tune your searches, that might help you narrow it all down. I know you probably know this stuff, but you may be busy getting ready on other stuff.

Since I don't know what side of San Diego you are going to be, I don't know how far "25 minutes" will be for you, but maybe some of these will be doable.

http://www.torreypine.​org/activities/hiking-trails.html

https://www.flickr.com …iscuss/72157615​589069798/

Here's a few places that are located on Flickr that could benefit you. Maybe you could join and ask them about the places that would be closest for you? I do realize that bird watchers and bird shooters are different, but they do know where the birds can be, I know I use them here around the Dallas area to know where the birds will be, I find them very helpful. I am not a birder, at all, we are two different kinds of people, but they can, and usually do know their stuff. heheh

Randy

Link to the below...
http://www.dpreview.co​m/forums/post/52568880

"Hi Chuck,

I reside in SD and born and raised here.

La Jolla area near the La Jolla cave for pelis and cormorants and a falcon or two. Just find the cave store and walk about 30 yards towards the water. The Cove area is nice too during low tides for many small shorebirds. Lots of seals here.

Santee Lakes which is inland from the coast about 20 miles has ducks, grebes, herons, egrets and white pelis plus many others. Lake 3 and 4 are your best bet and small enough to walk around with your gear.

Rob Field in the Ocean beach area next to the rock jetti is one of my favorite places. Visit at about 1.5 hours before low tide or 1.5 hours after low tide. Be very careful when walking down the rocks and pick a good safe spot to do so. There are some flat rocks near the water to sit on.

Fermosa Slough is a good location during late afteroon high tide, as the fish are forced into the slough where they are greeted by the welcoming committee of herons, egrets, ospreys and more. You will want to be on the west side with the sun at your back. Morning high tides are ok, but the angle of the sun on the subjects can leave shadows. You can compenstate with a better beamer and fill flash.

Lindo lake located inland in lakeside just 5-10 minutes from Santee lakes mentioned above. This use to be my favorite location with two lakes. The east lake is nothing but a dry mud hole now, as the city of lakeside is not filling the lake for whatever reasons. Still, the west lake can have an abundance of ducks, egrets,herons, avocets and more. Driving through lakeside is like stepping back in time about 50 years as it hasn't changed much just dont blink or you will miss it.

Fore scenic type shots La Jolla (coastal areas and glider port), Coronado for city scape shots. Anywhere on the coast for sunset. La Jolla shores or ocean beach for sunsets, as well as, the La Jolla cove area.

Shelter Island in Point Loma is a great place for a leisurely walk after dinner and a few scenic images. Just drive to the end of the road near the harbor police station and park and enjoy. There is a man made Osprey perch there and it might have some Ospreys during your visit.

Balboa park is a nice place to walk around and shoot and maybe get some lunch or bring a lunch and eat it there on a picnic table. You can enjoy museums, people watching, squirrels and landscape there.

The embaradero is also a good place to take a little walk and view the sites of the city.

I prefer the Safari park in Escondido over the zoo, but both are fun to visit. Get there when it opens and a weekday is much less crowded.

Thats all I can think of with one cup of coffee and one eye open. I would stay away from the border areas in the south.

Ray"

Thanks Randy. I appreciate the leg work.
I had already found a couple of those but a few I had not seen yet. 2 heads are better than one!
I leave this coming Sunday so I'll look into those places and generate a map.

Just heard of some sightings of the White Faced Ibis around the bridge at Bolsa Chica, 11 total. Those along with the Black Skimmers and Reddish Egrets would entice me to drive a little further than 25 minutes... Just saying.

Anyway, enjoy your trip and good luck where ever you wind up.

Thanks!!

Make sure you head over to Coronado so you can get this signature and most photgraphed shot of San Diego.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nRkf​2V

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/o8NH​5v

Nice Birds and Wildlife?

I know.

I mean it does answer the thread title though Just not the more specific requests by the OP.

Your right.

Dang, I am turning into a nit picky old fart now!

Jeremy,

I meant to wish you, "Bon Voyage", but it slipped my mind until it was too late.

Hopefully you hit some home runs in San Diego, I am sure that I'll see some of them, but just in case, please update this thread so we can see what you shot, I know I wouldn't be the only one interested in that.

I'll be checking out your Flickr also.

Randy

Thanks Randy

I've had very little luck in thyour way of birds here.

I did get some killer harbor seal photos this morning.
Been doing family stuff so getting out to thr hot birding spots isn't really happening.
I'm not expecting much else. We'll see.