Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Located in Huntington Beach, California and 30 minutes from my home, this is a place I have grown to love. It is a Wetlands that through the hard work of many people has been saved as a wonderful place for birds and animals. It is a great place to visit and there are about 3 miles of trails to walk, run and just enjoy. (Click on any photo to see a larger photo)

I was raised in this area and to be honest had drove by Bolsa Chica for years and never realized what a special place I had been missing. When I really got interested in photography I was looking for a place to photograph birds. After asking around, someone mentioned that Bolsa Chica was a great place. Bolsa Chica is on Pacific Coast Highway, about 2 miles north of the Huntington Beach Pier and is surrounded by houses, oil wells and the highway. 

  My first visit there was at sunrise on a Saturday morning in the winter of 1996. I was the only one there and as I walked over the wood bridge that goes over the water I was amazed at the activity that was going on. All kinds of birds were flying around, diving in the water and many more were on the waters edge looking for something to eat. It was amazing to watch. After sunrise many people started to show up. Some were heading out on the trail that goes around the area and many just stopped on the bridge to watch the birds. 

  Several Photographers had shown up and set their cameras up on tripods and brought out very large lenses. I was amazed at the size of the camera lenses. It started to look like the sidelines of a professional football game. At the time I had a Canon A2 and a 100mm-300mm lens and it was almost embarrassing to  bring out that little lens. As I watched and listened, the photographers seemed to all know each other and they were talking about the various birds, new camera stuff and they were also taking pictures at a fever pitch. It was very exciting. The bridge sits over the main Channel and birds fly right over your head. For the most part I only knew the names of a couple of the birds, but it was fascinating to here people say, here comes a flight of White Pelicans, here comes two Pintail Ducks, a Great Egret, Brown Pelicans or a Harrier Hawk.

   After about four hours I decided to head out and immediately went to the book store by my house and bought a book on the birds of North America. I studied that book for hours that night and the next morning I was up at 5am and headed back to Bolsa Chica. This time there were several photographers set-up before sunrise and I learned how beautiful it was to photograph in the golden light. I brought my old tripod and put my camera on it. The tripod was not very sturdy and I had a hard time photographing the birds in flight. But I did end up with a few nice pictures and it was very exciting. I spent a lot of time talking with many of the Photographers and seeing what camera equipment worked the best. One guy said I could rent the camera and big lens he was using at the  local Camera store.

  The next week I stopped by the camera store and reserved a Canon EOS 1n and a 600mm f4 lens. I think it was about $100 for the whole weekend. I did buy a new tripod and a ball head. Two days and 30 rolls of film later I had some real nice Images and I was hooked on Nature Photography. I rented the big lens several times and  used my A2 camera. Renting a big lens is a great way to photograph birds and you do not have to spend a great deal of money. After several months I decided I wanted my own big lens and a new camera. I had to sell some of my other toys, so I could make an investment in some quality photo equipment. I also rented the Nikon F4 camera and 600f4 lens so I could compare them with Canon. I finally decided on Canon. The big Canon lenses were faster focusing and quieter. I decided to buy the new Canon EOS1n and the 600 f4 lens. It was a major investment! I can say today that it was a wise investment and I am glad I decided to spend the money. The enjoyment has been well worth the expense and Nature Photography has become a life long love.

I have spent countless mornings at Bolsa Chica. The people I have met there are the friendliest and nicest people I have ever met. If you are ever in the area, you need to take the time to go and spend a morning at Bolsa Chica. It will be a very rewarding experience. If you need better directions please E-mail me. Bolsa Chica is a very famous bird photography place. People from all over the world come to photograph the birds.

   I would like to thank the wonderful people who have battled for years (and still are) to keep  Bolsa Chica from being destroyed. We have all lost many wonderful wildlife places that can never be replaced. Strong support for the many dedicated groups is needed to help in this fight. Amigos De Bolsa Chica is a very dedicated group of local people who over the years has successfully fought to save this great place. Sadly I have not done very much to help in their fight. It seems like I am always too busy. I am sure these fine people are also too busy, but they make the time to fight for what they believe in. In the future I plan to become a stronger supporter.

Scott