Egret and Heron Roost
May 1st - June 15th
Every year, I have a great time heading towards my local Egret and Heron roost that hundreds from around the city flock towards to nest at. The location is an easy nature filled park in my area which allows for easy access and easy photos as seen in the “Casual” rating. Due to their comfortability with humans, we will be simply doing a “Run and Gun” scenario and not needing any methods of camouflage or stealth. This is rated a “1” on the challenge scale and I can almost guarantee you that you will walk away with photos you are satisfied with due to the abundance of opportunities that will present themselves.
Casual/RG/1
Lesser Nighthawk Mating Displays
April 15th-June 30th
Lesser Nighthawk are an alien-like species that are spectacular to witness in nature as they come out at sunset. More than any other bird local to this area, I feel awestruck every time I leave an outing with these guys. The location is a open area around a marshland not too populated and therefore receiving an “Adventure” rating that they frequent every year. During this adventure, we will be setting up at the best location I know in a “Blind” scenario in that area where they like to display around, and you will most likely experience them flying in circles around you as you attempt to photograph them. This experience is rated a “3” on the challenge scale however, due to their incredibly fast and agile movements and difficulty to photograph in the air, and a close to impossible shot to get them on the ground well due to their habitat and skittishness.
Adventure/BL/3
Red-Winged Blackbirds at Sunset
April 15th-June 30th
Red-Winged Blackbird are always a fun subject to photograph. Due to their patterns and behaviors, sunset photos are often the most pleasing results and can get you some stunning images. The location I take people to receives a “Excursion” rating as it is near an open farm field they nest at yearly. We will be setting up in a “Blind” scenario to be able to get as close as possible to their territory without disturbing them. Photos are quite easy to get yet can be slightly difficult to capture well due to their movement and territories they work and therefore is rated a “2” on the challenge scale.
Excursion/BL/2
Mountain Quail Expedition
May 1st-May 30th
Mountain Quail are an incredibly elusive species to see, yet can be heard endlessly if you know where to look. On this expedition, you’ll be surrounded by the calls of Mountain Quail all morning long, yet finding them is a whole different story. This is one of my few expeditions where I cannot guarantee success in photographing a Mountain Quail so therefore have no unsuccessful trip price. This location is a off-the-path mountain location that we will hear them calling from around us all day with no humans in sight and therefore receives a “Expedition” rating. This will be a “Hybrid” scenario of photographing where we will be hiking around, moving stealthily into position, then photographing in camouflage when the moment is right. Like mentioned previously, it is one of the hardest species in this area to capture in photos and receives a “4” on the challenge scale in difficulty to photograph.
Expedition/HY/4
Tricolored Blackbird Colony
March 15th-May 30th
Tricolored Blackbird are a threatened species in danger of going extinct by one of the exact behaviors that makes them unique. Similar to the long-passed Passenger Pigeon’s, Tricolored Blackbird’s need to nest in huge colonies in order to thrive. Exclusive to only a few states now but with most of the population in the Central Valley of California, my knowledge of this area has allowed me to know where an annual nesting colony of them is. This location is close to the city yet off the path giving it an “Adventure” rating. This will be a “Hybrid” scenario of photographing where we will be moving around gently to locate where the group is moving around, however, if it is early enough and a season of good rainfall, there are specific spots we can wait at in which hundreds will flock to in order to drink from the pools of water. While they aren’t often difficult to locate, they can be challenging to get good shots of, giving them a “3” on the challenge scale.
Adventure/HY/3