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There is no better songbird safari in
California than this Morongo Valley Bird Safari. My record here is 48
species in one day - everything from tanagers, bluebirds,
flycatchers, grosbeaks, kingbirds, hawks, falcons, owls, thrashers,
goldfinches, hummingbirds, wrens - and so many more. The areas
that we shoot have an amazing variety of songbirds - all nesting,
all active, and many of them insectivores that stay active after it
warms up to feast on the rising bugs during the day. We take advantage of the
mating, feeding, and bonding activity.
The mornings and days
are comfortable, but can warm up in the afternoon - so a hat,
sunscreen, lipbalm, etc are needed. |
For those who don't ride with me, we meet in Yucca Valley, CA - just
a few miles east of Morongo Valley on Sunday morning, April 23.
I drive in that morning and then stay the night at a local hotel.
There are hotels and cafes in Yucca Valley, while Morongo Valley has
a gas station and cafe only.
The deposit is 50% via check, Paypal, or credit card, and
the balance is due halfway between the deposit date and the
safari date unless you are booking within 3 months, then
full payment is due. Check the main safari page for other
information. Spouses can ride/walk along at no charge,
but you must have your own vehicle to travel in.
Link
This safari is 2 days long. |
I've spent my 38-year wildlife photography
career shooting in the American West. The first 23
years shooting out of Utah, the past 15 years out of
California. With 1500 published photo credits, dozens
of magazine covers and article, and a lifetime wandering the
roads of the west, the photo safaris that I lead are all to
the best locations, at the best times, during peak wildlife
activity periods. |
| In past
years we have shot long-eared owl chicks at a nest, great
horned owls at a nest, red-tailed hawks at a nest, and
numerous other birds. Resident Cooper's hawks are
around, as well as numerous bird species that are extremely
hard to photograph elsewhere, such as Verdins, Brown-crested
Flycatchers, Summer Tanagers, and Lazuli Buntings. |
We do a lot of walking, though almost all of it
is on level ground, and most is shaded, with picnic tables and
benches around to take a break if needed. We do break for
lunch around 11-11:30am. The afternoon can be slow, so there
is time to take a break - then return for the late afternoon and the
higher level of activity. |
