San Diego, California area

Chollas Lake - San Diego
This lake, located within San Diego City limits, is a gem most locals are unaware exists. The reason may be that fishing is only permitted by kids 16 and under. Whatever the reason, a wide trail circles the lake allowing for easy hiking.

Lake Henshaw - San Diego County
Home to one of the first pairs of nesting Bald Eagles in San Diego County, this lake located in the mountains has plenty to offer those who make the drive.

La Jolla

Children's Pool
Originally created as a safe place for small kids to swim in the ocean, this place has become a rookery for harbor seals. Many birds line the cliffs and fly by overhead. Just don't go swimming, the seals have polluted the water.

Torrey Pines State Reserve & Beach
Hiking trails, coastal cliffs and the beach are all part of this great wildlife area. Sadly, the last pair of bobcats were run over by cars. Still, there are plenty of other species of mammals, birds and reptiles surviving in the Reserve.

Lake Jennings - Lakeside
A county-run lake, there are plenty trails for hiking where it isn't surprising to find coyotes (I seen but not yet photographed), rattlesnakes (I haven't seen one yet) and plenty of birds of surprising species.

Lindo Lake - Lakeside
A pair of small lakes with plenty of domesticated waterfowl and other birds.

Mission Trails Regional Park - San DIego County
A large County park with lots of wildlife. Reports surface of Mountain Liions, though I have never seen one.

My Yard - Santee
I am constantly amazed at the new species of animals that I keep finding visiting my feeders and birdbaths. Birds, reptiles and insects abound in my backyard and neighbors trees.

Point Loma area - San Diego
A peninsula that acts as a bird magnet for migrating birds. Many rarities are found here.

Ramona Grasslands - Ramona
This area is a know magnet for many species of wintering raptors.

San DIego Bay

7th Street - Imperial Beach
A nature reserve on San Diego Bay, and a short walk to the Pacific Ocean make this a great place to find birds and other animals. This area is sometimes referred to as "Salt Works" because of the salt production operation.

J Street Marina - Chula Vista
Great views of San Diego Bay and lots of wildlife, including a pair of nesting Osprey some years.

Power Plant - Chula Vista
Tucked away on the backside of the bay, this operation warms the water. Plenty of animals make their home in this area, including a colony of Green Sea Turtles.

San Diego River Estuary - San Diego
Called by many different names (San Diego River flood control channel, or river mouth are some common names) this is a favorite almost secret place for me to visit. Many birders know the area, but most San Diegans have no idea of its existence. Birds and ducks pass through in large numbers during the migrations and a few species use the area for nesting.

San Elijo Lagoon
Between Cardiff-By-The-Sea and Solana Beach, this is a coastal wetland that has plenty of wildlife all year long. The bird migrations are fantastic, and there are plenty of lizards, insects, plants and scenic views too.

Santee Lakes - Santee
A series of seven small lakes that is home to wood ducks year-round, and plenty of other species of ducks during their migrations. Lots of other bird species can be found too.

Tijuana River Valley Area - Imperial Beach
Lots of different locations in this flood plain just north of the border with Mexico.

Dairy Mart Pond
Surprising birds show up at this spot. A great uncrowded place to explore.

Bird & Butterfly Garden
This nature park is a great little hidden gem that is unknown to most San Diego county residents.

Tijuana River mouth
Lots of different birds are attracted to this area for different reasons: the sand dunes, the influx of freshwater, the shoreline. Whatever the reason,, there is always something to find.

Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Reserve
If you are lucky, the endangered Light-footed Clapper Rail can be found here. Lots of mostly flat trials, one of which leads most of the way to the Tijuana River mouth.

Border Field State Park
As the name implies, this park is located on the border with Mexico. Lots of open land attracts a wide variety of animals.

Sod Farms
There are a few sod farms in the area that attract animals.

Whelan Lake - Oceanside
A bird sanctuary that is located on private property. Buena Vista Audubon holds monthly bird walks. Along with the birds there are lots of other interesting wildlife: coyotes, insects and reptiles to name just a few.

California (non-San Diego)

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Endangered animals highlight this area for me along with the various mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and landscapes. Winter and spring are my favorite times to visit, though summer is when you have the best chance at seeing some of the rarer animals.

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Commonly called "The Wetlands." Lots of birds, this area has nesting areas set aside for terns, especially for the endangered Least Tern.

Cleveland National Forest
460,000 acres of varying terrain and elevations which are home to many different species of wildlife. Recent wildfires have scorched vast areas of the park, but hopefully much of the wildlife was unaffected.

Monterey area trip
From Santa Cruz south to Big Sur was a weekend getaway where I was able to find deer and birds - including condors.

Morro Bay
My favorite place on the central coast of California. So much to see and do, but I never feel harried because of the laid-back atmosphere of the area.

Central coast area trip
On these trips I visited the central coast of California, from Lompoc to San Simeon. Sea otter, birds and northern elephant seals highlight these trips.

Salton Sea area
Amazing numbers of birds, reptiles and insects can be found in and around this inland sea.

 


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Latest Outings
Take a sneak peek at some of the photos from my latest outings.

  

Outside of California

Arizona
Phoenix area
Get away from the urban sprawl and there are desert animals galore. The Desert Botanical Garden is a fantastic place to visit in which native wildlife can be found everywhere.

Colorado
There are lots of different animals that can be found in this beautiful state. Geographically the state is much more than just the Rocky Mountains. Some of the most exciting places I've been to are on the vast, open plains. So far I've only touched the surface.

Florida
Panhandle area

Bonifay
When I am able to get to the Panhandle I spend most of my time around this town visiting family.

Other Panhadle locations
Plenty of wildlife in this area, lots of it different from what I can find on the west coast of the country.

Central Florida

Lake Tohopekaliga
One of my favorite places that I have found in this part of Florida. A must do is to take an airboat ride at Boggy Creek Airboat Rides West. Call ahead, book a private tour and ask for Wayne as your guide and you'll have the best tour possible. His multiple years of guiding on the lake give him the experience of knowing where to find all the desired wildlife. plan your trip towards the end of your stay because everything afterwards will seem inadequate.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve
If you can't be on a boat this is the best land based experience you can find in Central Florida when it comes to finding wildlife. Keep you eyes open as you never know where the next critter will pop-out.

Other Central Florida Places
Whether in a parking lot or out hiking trails there always seems to be some wildlife waiting to be found.

Southern Florida

Grassy Water Preserve
One of my favorite locations, and where I found my first gator!

John D. MacArthur State Beach
Lots of trails for hiking, but I got there late in the day and didn't find too much.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park
A really neat place with lots of species of animals.

Jupiter Ridge Natural Area Preserve
I didn't find too many animals, but the scenery is fantastic.

JW Corbett Wildlife Management Area
I came across lots of wild boar ruts but couldn't find the animals. A very "wild" area.

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge - north end
Birds, scenery and gators.

Loxahatchee National WIldlife Refuge - south end
Beautiful birds, lots of lizards and lush scenery abound. Oh, and lots of alligators too.

River Bend Park
A beautiful park right outside of the city of Jupiter. Truly a nice place to visit.

Other South Florida places
Animals are just everywhere.

Hawaii
Paradise is a common adjective of the islands of Hawaii, and I agree. Not only for the weather, but for the wildlife and views too.

Mexico

Baja offshore
I love being out on the water and coming across the many different animals that come to visit the boat. The many islands give life to animals that aren't always found on the mainland of Mexico.Guadalupe Island
Know for being one of the best places in the world to see Great White Sharks. Besides these magnificent animals, this island located roughly 180 miles off the coast of Ensenada, Mexico offers plenty of other animals and amazing scenery. The trip started in Ensenada, Mexico where I boarded a boat for the 180 mile trip to the island.

Nevada
Get outside of Las Vegas (and it need not be too far) and there are fantastic desert animals just waiting to be seen and photographed.