Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 600mm f/4L IS, f/7.1, 1/2000 sec, ISO 400
Another blog from sunny San Diego. The pelicans of La Jolla are world famous. I knew my trip to San Diego would be incomplete without seeing these beautiful birds up close. They were the sole reason I lugged my 600mm lens down here. Before the trip, I received a plethora of great advice from other photographers around the web about when and where to photograph the pelicans. I woke up early and drove down to La Jolla before sunrise. Below you’ll see a Google map of exactly where I was standing when I took these photographs. I set up my tripod and camera/lens gear at one location and enjoyed the show put on by my feathered friends.
The early morning hours are best and relatively free of other visitors. If you plan to photograph from the same place I did, I suggest you get there around sunrise. I parked in front of “The Cave Store” which has a few 2-hr parking spots (2 hr parking starts at 8 am, which will give you plenty of time to capture great light). The store is located at the corner of Costal Blvd. and Costal Walk. From the parking area, a dirt foot path leads slightly northeast to a viewing platform. I walked a little beyond the platform, and set up my gear. When I arrived, I had the place all to myself. If fact, I didn’t see another person for at least an hour. If the parking spots infront of The Cave Store are full, there are others along Costal Blvd. If you look closely in the zoomed up view of Google map you can see cars parked along Costal Blvd, just northwest of The Cave Store. I shot for about 1 1/2 hrs and came back refreshed and alert to San Diego to attend the Radiology Conference.
Below are a few shots, and if you want to see more, click here.
Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 600mm f/4L IS, f/7.1, 1/2000 sec, ISO 400
Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 600mm f/4L IS, f/6.3, 1/2000 sec, ISO 400
Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 600mm f/4L IS, f/4, 1/2000 sec, ISO 400
Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 600mm f/4L IS, f/6.3, 1/2000 sec, ISO 400
Ann & Dileep Bhandarkar: wonderful, love your new lens! Ann
--> Mahesh: Ann, thanks for the comment! The 600mm was a hoot to use. I've since sold it and am toting the 800mm now. :D
Dianna Wachtel: Mahesh, these are stunning as usual! Love the blue eye of the cormorant, and the languid pose of the male lion. Thanks for sharing.
--> Mahesh: Dianna, great to hear from you! I love that shot of the lion too. At the Wild Animal Park, they have a broken down Range Rover in the lion exhibit, and the male loves to rest on top of it. :D
Chris Budech: Really cool, I'm a bird watcher of sorts--like the White-Headed Lapwing. Audubon could have used your services! I just read a biography of him.
Bev: These are the best yet--I love the baby elephant, his face really is a baby face. Nice lens work.
--> Mahesh: Bev, thank you! It looks like you're an animal lover...nice! :D