Anaheim, California - Wildlife photography suggestions nearby?

[Tiago C]

Hello,

There's a chance I'll visit the US early next year and I've only visited for a couple of weeks as a kid many years ago!

Could you please share any suggestions for photographing wildlife near Anaheim, California?

I'm interested in places to visit, species to look for (Mickey Mouse doesn't count), hide locations, guided tours, things to be careful with (mountain lions??), etc.
Also, is there a good place for renting long lenses in the area?

Thanks!

 

[DavidT]

Hello,

There's a chance I'll visit the US early next year and I've only visited for a couple of weeks as a kid many years ago!

Could you please share any suggestions for photographing wildlife near Anaheim, California?

I'm interested in places to visit, species to look for (Mickey Mouse doesn't count), hide locations, guided tours, things to be careful with (mountain lions??), etc.
Also, is there a good place for renting long lenses in the area?

View attachment 27877

Thanks!

My in-laws live in Anaheim. I’ve mostly shot hummingbirds in their backyard but if you google it there are some nature preserves. I’d find Alex Pham on Facebook, he’s active in Sony forums with wildlife and on FM forum. He lives in the area and has offered to drop me some google map pins when I get to town next of places that are being productive. He’s on IG as well. I suggest following him.
Lens rental I’m not sure about in the area but you could use lens rentals.com and have them ship it to where you are staying.

if you can make it down to Dana Point in Orange County for a whale/dolphin cruise it’s pretty awesome and you’ll get brown pelicans and seals as well.
Good luck!

 

[Tom Reynolds]

Bolsa Chica

 

[Doug Herr]

re: mountain lions, two-legged predators are a bigger threat.

In mountain lion territory the biggest danger is being a small person running (i.e., trail running) alone. There have been very few actual incidents.

 

[Tiago C]

Thanks for your replies!

At the moment, the following locations are on my list for consideration:

Irvine Regional Park
UCI Ecological Reserve
Newport Back Bay
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Dana Point

 

[Tom Reynolds]

Legg Lake in the Wittier Narrows area is a bit far but there are lots of birds. Egrets, Herons, Pelicans, a zillion ducks, pigeons, grackles. Nothing spectacular but lots of practice picking Canada Geese in flight