Coastal California, Spring 2018: A mini-TR

[Tdgraves]

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

 

My brother and sister in law live in San Mateo and we have never gone out and about nearby looking for wildlife, in fact we have never taken our cameras there before. When I was researching the trip, I found this place. The BIL had not been before and it was only a short dsrive psat facebook and over the bridge to get there. There were only a couple of other people there and the staff member was very pleased to have someone to talk to. Again, no entrance fee. This reserve is part of the bay and includes some of the headlands with hiking trails. We did a loop around the water of about 5km. It was a bit windy once you got further out into the bay. The salt flats were largely unoccupied by birds, but I think during migration time, this would be a different story. In any case, we found quite a few new birds, including some close encounters!  The BIL decided to let me use his 500mm f4 lens, which is amazing, but very heavy (see below!).

 

 

It does take good photos though 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We disturbed this guy sunbathing in the middle of the path

 

 

 

A long walk (especially with the extra load) but enjoyable. There probably would have more birds there a few weeks earlier in the season. We had dinner with my brother and sister in law and flew home the next afternoon.

 

So in conclusion, there is plenty of wildlife and wild areas in California and they are not that far from the beaten track.

 

The End!

[xelas]

Uh, that lens looks lethal! Are all photos done with it?

[Tdgraves]

53 minutes ago, xelas said:

Uh, that lens looks lethal! Are all photos done with it?

 

@xelas It was . I think it is about 15kg cased with mount...The IQ is soooo good though

In this post all apart from the egret in flight and probably the snake, I believe....

[TonyQ]

A really enjoyable report. The avocet is a beauty, and wonderful pictures of the snake. That 500mm lens produces good photos but I wouldn't like to carry it very far!

You certainly had a good selection of wildlife, including the birds.

[Atravelynn]

Good job on the otters, as you note they are hard to photograph.  And congrats on 15 years!!

[Tdgraves]

Thanks @Atravelynn