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View Full Version : Seeking Monterey, Moss Landing advice



Joe Austin
04-20-2011, 02:10 PM
I am heading for the Monterey, CA area in a couple of weeks for wildlife photography. So far I am planning to visit Moss Landing, Elkhorn slough, Monterey Wharf and aquarium as well as the coast highway down to San Simeon for Elephant Seals.

I would love to hear any specific advise about places to focus on for birds , sea otters, sea lions, or any of the usual fauna.

Thanks,
Joe

Chris Knight
04-25-2011, 09:54 PM
I am heading for the Monterey, CA area in a couple of weeks for wildlife photography. So far I am planning to visit Moss Landing, Elkhorn slough, Monterey Wharf and aquarium as well as the coast highway down to San Simeon for Elephant Seals.

I would love to hear any specific advise about places to focus on for birds , sea otters, sea lions, or any of the usual fauna.

Thanks,
Joe
I dont know of specific areas in those areas but the biggest concentrations are up the coast a bit here Ano Neuvo State Park. North of Santa Cruz.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523

I know they are down the coast also but the coast line is less accessible. Point Lobos of course is a must see for all the above mentioned critters.
More info here.
http://www.elephantseal.org/

Allen Hirsch
04-25-2011, 10:04 PM
Joe:

there are boat tours that go out on Elkhorn Slough - well worth the time & cost. All but the first 14 images were taken on two tours, one in the morning, one in the afternoon:

http://allenh.zenfolio.com/p296533848

(The earlier images were taken mostly on foot, with my Canon G7 (before I got my DSLR)).

Ano Nuevo is a special place, too:

http://allenh.zenfolio.com/p764545473

Unfortunately, you've missed breeding season, so I'm not sure how much activity there'll be with the elephant seals there. There may be a lot of brown pelican activity, though, since it's their breeding season now.

Chris Hansen
04-26-2011, 12:22 AM
Joe, CHeck out my trip report here. I did the same trip last year.

http://christhephotog.blogspot.com/2010/03/breakout-piedras-blancas-trip-report.html

Send me a PM if you have any questions.
God bless,chros

Joe Austin
04-26-2011, 06:26 AM
Thanks for the great tips.

I would like to get to Ano Nuevo as well but it may not be in the cards. My biggest concern at this point is dealing with the road closure near Alder creek on the PCH. Does anybody have experience with Nacimiento-Ferguson road?

I have booked a trip on Elkhorn Safaris. If it is productive maybe I'll do another. Thanks for the links to the great images, they are definitely encouraging.

I am aware that the bull elephant seals are out to sea this time of year, but hopefully the pups will be active.