Tag Archives: California

Ultimate Birds in Flight: San Diego

Photography Workshop Jan. 18-22, 2026

Master the Art of Photographing Birds in Flight

Join me in San Diego, California to immerse yourself in the art of bird photography. I offer “ask me anything” instruction during the safari to ensure you’re getting the best quality images. Because of the small group size, I’m able to offer a more intimate instructional style that allows each participant to get the knowledge they need to succeed.

Winter is the breeding season for the pelicans and cormorants in southern California, so we’ll be able to capture them in their colorful breeding plumage, and photograph their breeding displays.

This workshop is geared towards intermediate to advanced photographers who wish to learn how to capture  stunning images of birds in flight. We will have the opportunity to photograph numerous species, including pelicans, cormorants, gulls, and terns. We will also likely encounter sea lions and other wildlife on the beaches, and have the opportunity to get some nice sunsets and environmental shots.

Each day, we will download and process our images together as a group, get critiques, and learn new techniques to make your photos stand out. I will work with you to capture and process the best possible images into beautiful finished products.

In addition to “ask me anything” support, I will teach you my complete workflow for bird and wildlife photography using Adobe Lightroom Classic. You’ll get my full set of bird keywords with every bird species in the world, learn how to identify birds from your photos, and then learn how to process your images to deliver maximum impact.

Prerequisites: You are expected to know how to set exposure and autofocus parameters in your camera.

Activity Level: Mild. There will be walking on sidewalks with some hills, but nothing strenuous. You’ll need to be able to carry your gear short to medium distances (0.1 mile).

Where: San Diego, CA (La Jolla & surrounding areas)

California Adventure Photo Cruise 2025

Join me and Rick Walker for a fun photo adventure exploring the California coast!

October 25 – Nov. 1, 2025 round trip from Los Angeles, CA

Join me and Rick Walker for a fun “photo vacation” as we explore the California coast aboard the Royal Princess! This unique adventure takes us from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and San Diego, plus a stop in Ensenada, Mexico on Halloween! We’ll be sharing our secrets for putting together travel photos that will make your trip even more memorable. We’ll have on-board learning sessions and photo walks. The best part about this event is that you are completely free to choose the excursions you find most interesting at each port of call. Whether it’s a trip to the wine country, or a lobster lunch in Ensenada, the opportunities for photography are endless! Non-photographer companions are encouraged to join us on this trip, and we’ll be giving our tips for smartphone photography, too. We can’t wait to sail away with you!

Ultimate Birds in Flight!

Bird Photography Workshop in Southern California Jan. 12-15, 2025

Join me in San Diego, California to immerse yourself in the art of bird photography. I offer “ask me anything” instruction during the safari to ensure you’re getting the best quality images. Because of the small group size, I’m able to offer a more intimate instructional style that allows each participant to get the knowledge they need to succeed.

Winter is the breeding season for the pelicans and cormorants in southern California, so we’ll be able to capture them in their colorful breeding plumage. We’ll also see terns, gulls, and possibly osprey as they fly above the famous sea lion colony at La Jolla Cove.

This workshop is geared towards intermediate to advanced photographers who wish to learn how to capture stunning images of birds in flight. We will have the opportunity to photograph numerous species, including pelicans, cormorants, gulls, and terns. We will also likely encounter sea lions and other wildlife on the beaches, and have the opportunity to get some nice sunsets and environmental shots.

In addition to “ask me anything” support, I will teach you my complete workflow for bird and wildlife photography using Adobe Lightroom Classic. You’ll get my full set of bird keywords with every bird species in the world, learn how to identify birds from your photos, and then learn how to process your images to deliver maximum impact.

Each day, we will download and process our images together as a group, get critiques, and learn new techniques to make your photos stand out. I will work with you to capture and process the best possible images into beautiful finished products.

Prerequisites: You are expected to know how to set exposure and autofocus parameters in your camera.

Activity Level: Mild. There will be walking on sidewalks with some hills, but nothing strenuous. You’ll need to be able to carry your gear short to medium distances (0.1 mile).

Where: San Diego, CA (La Jolla & surrounding areas)

Photo Gallery: Southern California Birds and Wildlife

Partial Species List

  • Brown Pelican
  • Brandt’s Cormorant
  • Snowy Egret
  • American Coot
  • American Widgeon
  • Wood Duck
  • Cinnamon Teal
  • White Pelican
  • Ring-necked Duck
  • Northern Shoveler
  • Heerman’s Gull
  • Western Gull
  • Royal Tern
  • Osprey
  • Oystercatcher

Bonus! California Sea Lions & Harbor Seals

Better Backgrounds for Your BIFs

The difference between a blue sky and a dynamic background in bird photos is amazing

Brown pelican on the southern California coast

Most of the time, when we photograph birds in flight, we simply capture an image of a bird against a blank blue sky. Maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll get a cloud or two in the background, too. If you can capture flying birds in front of an interesting background, your shots can be improved dramatically.

Southern California: The Perfect Coastal Backdrop for Bird Photography

Brandt’s cormorants near La Jolla, CA

The southern California coast is a great place to capture unique photographs of birds in flight. The high cliffs offer a vantage point where instead of pointing up into the sky, you can point down at the rocky shore below. The backgrounds can include waves, spray, and the coastline. These dynamic backgrounds make for interesting photographs that are so much more than just plain blue skies.

Join me to photograph birds in flight in San Diego, California, Jan 22-26, 2023.

Brown pelicans circling the beach near La Jolla, California

Birds in Flight Photography Workshop

January 22-26, 2023 in La Jolla, CA

Royal Tern, La Jolla, CA

Join me in La Jolla, California to immerse yourself in the art of bird photography. This exclusive instructional photo safari is limited to six (6) participants for a personal experience that you can’t get from the big tours. I offer “ask me anything” instruction during the safari to ensure you’re getting the best quality images. Because of the small group size, I’m able to offer a more intimate instructional style that allows each participant to get the knowledge they need to succeed.

Winter is the breeding season for the pelicans and cormorants in southern California, so we’ll be able to capture them in their colorful breeding plumage.

This workshop is perfect for intermediate to advanced photographers who wish to learn how to capture stunning images of birds in flight. We will have the opportunity to photograph numerous species, including pelicans, cormorants, gulls, and terns. We will also likely encounter sea lions and other wildlife on the beaches, and have the opportunity to get some nice sunsets and environmental shots.

Each day, we will download and process our images together as a group, get critiques, and learn new techniques to make your photos stand out. I will work with you to capture and process the best possible images into beautiful finished products.

Click the RSVP button to learn more, and to register! This event is limited to 6 photographers.

RSVP Now