Capsurfer Loc: Sydney Australia

Hi UHH members,
I am traveling from Sydney to Los Angeles for work and will be arriving in LA this Thursday. Was flying back Saturday night but now looks like I will have one or two days free (Sunday and Monday) to do a bit of photography and am looking for suggestions if I may. My interests are wildlife generally so birds, elk, coyotes plus surfing so yes there is always Huntington Beach / Pier. Have a 7D, 70-200 IS + 1.4x TC plus a few others but will probably limit to just this lens and extender for the trip. Will probably rent a car so will be able to head out of town a bit. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

This may help http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-86511-1.html

Capsurfer Loc: Sydney Australia

Thanks, really appreciate the quick response!

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

There are some great places listed, but if you need something outside the LA area let us know and we will recommend more.

TGanner Loc: Haines, Alaska

The elephant seals at San Simeon are shameless posers and very close to a boardwalk that runs down the beach.

platscha

for birds go to Bolsa Chica wetlands in HB right along the 101 before the pier if going south, you may be lucky and find a coyote there as well, you can hike the trails to the back side for that
further down the 101 you turn left to get to Newport back bay presrve, then take the first left I think it is bay dr follow the road it is one way
if you want even more I can give you directions from there to the preserve in Irvine close by a huge bird place (many ponds)

Jaime Loc: Los Angeles

I don't know where you're staying, but if you're in town, or in the San Fernando Valley, those trips can be quite a trek, and allowing for traffic, time consuming as well. There is a bird sanctuary in Encino called Lake Balboa. It's right off the Balboa exit from the 101. A couple of large lakes, for "in city" and the reservoir. It's not as good as Bolsa Chica or San Simeon, but if your time is limited, ya may catch some interesting shots there. Here's a link...

http://www.laparks.org/dos/aquatic/balboa/index.htm

Hope you have fun. Also, the cherry blossoms may be out.

Cherry blossoms in bloom






Plus, there's this landmark

Onquest Loc: Just Wandering

Yes, the LA freeway system isn't known as the world's largest parking lot for nothing. My suggestion would be pick stops on one side of town only for a day trip. Doing the beaches would be a lot of fun, especially Venice Beach - all manner of sights to behold there! Even so it is quite a haul from Santa Monica right on down to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands and Huntington Beach. There are two or three Spanish Missions that are great photo ops and the San Gabriel Mission really isn't too far from the Huntington Gardens (not to be confused with Huntington Beach)where there are plenty of opportunities to photograph birds - and probably bunnies and gophers if that's your thing.

mooseeyes Loc: Sonora, California

I think what Onquest means is the Huntington Library, in San Marino. Great photo ops, but might be a bit hard to find for someone visiting from out of the area. This is basically east and near the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. Depending on where you are staying, this is a real traffic nightmare getting there and back.

If you have two free days, you might consider heading south. San Juan Capistrano has a wonderful mission, easy to find, and much better photo ops. Going on down south, out of Oceanside, not too far to the east, is the San Luis Rey mission. Again, easy to find and great quick photo ops. Back to the highway heading south you will get to San Diego. I would suggest you get a room for the night, then head off to do the afternoon shooting of either Balboa Park, or the harbor/water front area in San Diego. While the first of the California missions is in this basic area, it is off the beaten path and a bit difficult to find if you don't know the area.

The next morning you have the world famous San Diego Zoo for some great photo ops. Going east from the Zoo is Safari Land (I think that is what it is called), for some great photo ops. Then head back up the coast to your L.A. location.

platscha

if you want to see birds on mon contac me I could meet you and take you around great birding paces HB Newport, know the ins and outs so less probls with traffic

Capsurfer Loc: Sydney Australia

thanks everyone for the advice and comments, very much appreciated. Knew I was turning to the right place for guidance!

Capsurfer Loc: Sydney Australia

thanks Platscha, really appreciate the offer but a colleague and I are going to drive up to Santa Monica and Malibu so I will see what I can find up there.