Above the Fray

Why San Diego is one of my top birding spots

A brown pelican soars above the crashing surf at La Jolla Cove, California | ©Jason P. Odell Photography

Hi friends! I’m going to keep things quick this week as I’m off to the mountains for a family wedding, and I’m the (gasp) photographer. More on that later. Today’s shot comes from one of my birding “happy places:” La Jolla, CA. Not only is the soft morning light perfect for bird photography, but the backdrop of waves crashing onto the rocks on the Pacific coast create memorable photos.

I have way too many bird photos where the subject is frozen on a blank blue sky. Despite technical perfection, those images are usually quite uninspiring. Sometimes, of course, you’ll nail a great wing position, such as when the bird flares its wings to land, but all too often these shots are just proof that you know how to use a camera.

But in La Jolla? You get backgrounds. Rocks. Waves. Dynamic scenes. Time it right and you can get a spectacular shot. I’ve heard the criticism from bird photographers: “Not another pelican…” Well, if you’ve never shot them here, then you don’t know what you’re missing. From the cliffs above, we photographed these birds as they returned from fishing in the Pacific. The sapphire blue water creates a dramatic backdrop for the birds.

It’s not just pelicans, either. Hundreds of Brandt’s cormorants nest on the cliffs literally a few feet from the sidewalk. Capture their courtship displays and their dramatic iridescence as the sun glints off their glossy plumage. This spectacle only happens in winter. By April, most of the birds are off the nests and while you’ll see some, you won’t have the chance to get this many, this close.

I offer a very special workshop for photography enthusiasts who want to take their bird photography to the next level at this magical place. I pair three days of shooting sessions with workflow and post-processing training so that you not only capture winning shots, but also learn how to make them even better in post.

This exclusive bird photography experience is limited to eight photographers and I’ve made the arrangements for a 2027 tour, January 24-28, 2027. Booking is now open! Get the full details here:

Special Offer for Paid Subscribers!

Paid subscribers save $150 off the workshop fee as a thank-you for your continued support.