Disclaimer: My experiences are very limited because I rarely travel. That said, here are my favorite spots, close to where I live/lived, and/or visit occasionally.
Bolsa Chica, Huntington Beach CA: I stalked this area for about 2 years, and observed many many species - hummingbirds of several types, hawks, ospreys, kites, kestrels, turkey vultures, stilts, night herons, terns, blue herons, black skimmers, gulls, pelicans, egrets, swamp sparrows, others.... Not to mention rattlesnakes, rabbits, coyotes, jellyfish, etc.
Cuyahoga Valley Nat'l Park, specifically the beaver marsh area at Ira Trailhead off of Riverview Road, Cuyahoga Falls: Various ducks, green herons, kingfishers, swallows of several types, phoebes, warblers, great blue herons, egrets, woodpeckers, least bitterns, others... Not to mention snakes, turtles large and small, beavers, muskrats, many more.
Charles Towne Landing, Charleston SC: There are two main ponds extending from the visitor center back into the park some distance. Nearly all of the good sightings are around these two ponds. Storks, anhingas, herons, egrets, ibis, others.... Not to forget snakes, spiders, alligators, turtles, minks, etc.
The reason I mention these three sites is because the concentration of wildlife is very high there, and you probably can't go out any day of the year without seeing several interesting species, without much walking beyond a mile. I've gotten my most and best bird photos at these locations, so they're highly recommended.
Bolsa Chica, Huntington Beach CA: I stalked this area for about 2 years, and observed many many species - hummingbirds of several types, hawks, ospreys, kites, kestrels, turkey vultures, stilts, night herons, terns, blue herons, black skimmers, gulls, pelicans, egrets, swamp sparrows, others.... Not to mention rattlesnakes, rabbits, coyotes, jellyfish, etc.
Cuyahoga Valley Nat'l Park, specifically the beaver marsh area at Ira Trailhead off of Riverview Road, Cuyahoga Falls: Various ducks, green herons, kingfishers, swallows of several types, phoebes, warblers, great blue herons, egrets, woodpeckers, least bitterns, others... Not to mention snakes, turtles large and small, beavers, muskrats, many more.
Charles Towne Landing, Charleston SC: There are two main ponds extending from the visitor center back into the park some distance. Nearly all of the good sightings are around these two ponds. Storks, anhingas, herons, egrets, ibis, others.... Not to forget snakes, spiders, alligators, turtles, minks, etc.
The reason I mention these three sites is because the concentration of wildlife is very high there, and you probably can't go out any day of the year without seeing several interesting species, without much walking beyond a mile. I've gotten my most and best bird photos at these locations, so they're highly recommended.
