February 2024

Birds La Jolla

Warblers, Whimbrels and Hummingbirds on the Coast Walk in La Jolla

I recently acquired a 600mm lens which I plan to use with 1.4x teleconverter often, probably for birds much of the time I suspect, and have been out practicing with it. The combination is too long for pelicans and sea lions, so I have been seeking smaller subjects. This time…

Phil CollaFebruary 27, 2024

Australia Marine Life Underwater Life

Finding Leafy Sea Dragons at Rapid Bay Jetty, South Australia

While cruising around South Australia and Kangaroo Island, we stopped at a couple jetties. I think of a jetty as a breakwater formed of large bolders or rocks, but in Australia a jetty can be a wharf or pier. The jetties we visited are both famous for hosting a wide…

Phil CollaFebruary 22, 2024

La Jolla Sea Lion

Wildlife Portrait Photography on Point La Jolla; Year-Round Closure Makes This a Thing of the Past

For many years I photographed wildlife on Point La Jolla, usually at sunrise. I'm referring to the flat tabletop reef below the walkway to the west of La Jolla Cove. That was a prime ocean entry for divers, spearfishermen and bodysurfers (I used it for 30+ years to access the…

Phil CollaFebruary 19, 2024

Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

La Jolla Pelicans in Late January and Early February

The Pelicans in La Jolla were fantastic in December and early January but have been spotty for me since. One reason is that the wave action died down. Large waves make for great seabird photography since the water movement pushes the birds higher up on the cliffs and also fosters…

Phil CollaFebruary 18, 2024

Utah

Hite Crossing Bridge over the Colorado River, Utah

The Hite Crossing Bridge lies in the spectacular middle of nowhere, spanning the Colorado River in southern Utah near the north end of Lake Powell. It is the only crossing of the Colorado River on a 295 mile stretch (110 miles north at Moab and 185 miles south at Glen…

Phil CollaFebruary 9, 2024

Seabird

Brandt’s Cormorants (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) Courtship and Nesting on Seacliffs in La Jolla, California

Late January and early February is an ideal time to see Brandt's Cormorants (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) practicing their courtship behaviors and building nests in preparation for egg laying in a few weeks. We had some storm activity in January which washed away most nests, but the cormorants have been rebuilding nests…

Phil CollaFebruary 6, 2024