Shutterbugs

by Aidan Briggs

The Central Coast is a beautiful place to live and an absolute paradise for nature photographers. From the wide-open expanses of the Carizo Plains to the sandy beaches and rocky shores along the ocean, San Luis Obispo County is a treasure trove full of photography opportunities. In fact, it is the natural beauty of the area that initially piqued my interest in photography.

SLO county is especially great for bird photographers, and as luck would have it, birds became the primary focus of my photography. With over 455 bird species counted, it is one of the best places in the country to observe and photograph birds.

My favorite area for bird photography is Morro Bay. A stroll along Morro Strand State Beach will reveal many Long-billed Curlews and Marbled Godwits feeding in the surf. Further inspection will reveal a multitude of smaller sandpipers and plovers spread out on the beach. The birds here can be photographed with relative ease. Because of the frequent human and dog presence on the beach, the birds are very approachable.

Heading over to the bay itself will reveal a different set of birds. Pelicans and gulls circle in the sky, while loons, grebes, and cormorants float on the water. Tidelands Park is an especially good area for photographing these birds.

If you are interested in learning more about any type of photography, be sure to check out the Morro Bay Photo Expo in late March. The Expo is hosting Arthur Morris, an internationally recognized nature photographer specializing in birds. He will be lecturing during the Expo, and hosting an in the field day that I am co-leading. Arthur is also having a three-day workshop after the Expo that I will also be co-leading.

Previous Shutterbugs featured here include Linda Tanner, Mike Baird, Elizabeth Haslam, Howard Ignatius, Marlin Harms, Ashala Tylor, and Devra Cooper.
Monarch Butterfly on Banner by Mike Baird