San Diego

[Jason Kinsey]

I found out the other day that I'll be in San Diego for a week in July, and am looking for subject ideas while I'm in the area. I've heard from several folks that the zoo is supposed to be first class, and may offer some photographic opportunities. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks for your input.

[William Malacarne]

I am in LA area so don't get down that way much...but here are a couple of web sites that may help you.

http://friendsofsdrefuges.org/

http://www.sandiego.org/listing/Visitors/2985

http://10000birds.com/birding-la-jolla-cove.htm

remember July is not real good for wildlife. There is lots of desert east of San Diego but it will be on the warmer side....:)

Never been but the Zoo is supposed to be good and there is also Wild Animal Park. The Zoo runs both places but they are about 25-30 miles apart.

Bill

[Don Nelson]

Salton Sea is just a day trip from San Diego
Birds are good in summer (in spite of the heat) -- late July starts migration southward for shorebirds, and there are some interesting birds post-breeding from Sea of Cortez (Yellow legged gulls, Gull billed terns, etc)

Ramer and Finney Lakes always good.

http://www.southwestbirders.com/swb_birdfinding_salton_sea.htm
and Poe Road on the SW side of the lake...

[Ian Cassell]

I love the SD zoo, but also like the wildlife park:

http://www.sdzsafaripark.org/

[Alan Eicoff]

I was in San Diego 5/7-14. The zoo offered several interesting opportunities but not as many avian as I would have liked. The birds for the most part were caged or in large screened aviaries making photos difficult. Some of the multi-specie aviaries offered good opportunities. The hummingbird house had several beautiful Tanagers but only 4 hummers of which 3 were Costas (2 female/1 male) and a very nice Sparkling Violetear. Some outdoor open areas had good avian possibilities. The absolute best was the outdoor Flamingo pond which was loaded with mud nests and birds sitting on an egg. There was also a Crested Screamer in there sitting on a nest with 3 eggs and 2 Scarlet Ibises. You are right on top of these birds. Several other avian opportunities were available. If you want to shoot the Pandas get there real early as the line gets very long. Only 2 were on display, one sleeping and one sitting and eating bamboo. No problem on the Koalas though pretty sedentary. The zoo admission is $40 for 1 day and $76 for 2 days. It is in Balboa Park which also has numerous other opportunities especially if you want to shoot orchids in the botanical building. Almost all of this is adjacent to the zoo. I wanted to go tho the Safari Park but it is 35 miles from the zoo and without a car was 6 hours round trip on public transportation. Skip the Chula Vista nature park accessible by trolley and free shuttle bus as construction had the only trail closed. You might consider taking the trolley to the Tijuana Estuary (on the US side) probably about a 30-40 minute ride. I did not have a chance to get there If you are not going to have a car get a multi day trolley/bus pass from the vending machines at a trolley stop (1 day $5, 2 days $9, 3 days $12 and 4 days $15). One day passes are also available on buses from the driver. No one checks your pass on the trolley but the fine if you get caught without a ticket can be several hundred. We also road bikes in Balboa Park, on Coronado Island and on the Embarcadero even all the way to Old Town and back.

[Fred Salamon]

Pick up a book called PhotoSecrets of San Diego.
http://www.photosecrets.com/photosecrets-san-diego.html

[John Walker]

I live just north of San Diego, contact me and I will help to get you what you want. I am away the first couple of weeks.

John

[Linda Martino]

I live just north of San Diego, contact me and I will help to get you what you want. I am away the first couple of weeks.

John

We have just moved to north San Digo county (Vista) from FL Are there any forums or lists where folk post bird photos of what they are currently seeing? We visited in winter and someone mentioned such stuff for Orange County but I didn't get specifics. I'm looking for ideas on what is out there right now.

Thanks

Linda Martino

[John Walker]

Linda

Have sent you a message with contact details. I am in Vista.

JOhn