Golden Gate Bird Alliance • Spring Birding Class 2026
Explore the art of bird photography with us! In this hands-on photography workshop for beginners and individuals looking to reengage with the hobby, you'll develop practical skills in camera handling, composition, and observation. We'll discuss navigating the camera button and wheels, focus and zoom techniques, and camera settings for perched birds and birds in flight.
If you are curious about our approach to photography, take a look at our work here.
As we practice together, you’ll gain ‘shutter miles,’ improve your photography, and deepen your understanding and admiration of the birds around you. Along the way, you might capture some stunning images, uncover fascinating bird behaviors, and leave with a deeper commitment to protecting the Bay Area birds.
Both field trips will be at Heron’s Head Park in San Francisco. The distance covered will be approximately 1.5 miles, primarily on a wide, flat, and hard-packed decomposed granite path. The restrooms in the Eco Center are open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The portable toilets by the parking lot have unpredictable hours.
Because of the interactive nature of the Zoom sessions, they will not be recorded. Participants who have to miss a Zoom meeting are welcome to contact Vinish and Neha to have a conversation about what they missed.
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Camera requirements: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens, or a point-and-shoot camera with a powerful zoom, such as the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80D, Nikon Coolpix P1100, or Sony RX10 IV. You need a zoom lens and a minimum focal length of 400mm. If you don’t have a camera, here are a few local rental options:
Fireside Camera, 2117 Chestnut St, San Francisco
https://www.helixrentals.com/shops/62cc973cdcbfb9d1ab540e71Lensrentals
https://www.lensrentals.comLooking Glass Photo & Camera, 2239 Fifth St, Berkeley
https://www.lookingglassphoto.com/rentals/rent-a-lens/
[OR] borrow a camera from a friend 😊
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March Workshop
Online Sessions: Three Wednesday evening classes by Zoom: March 18 and 25: 7:00 to 9:00 pm, and a final photo share and discussion on April 1: 7:00 to 8:30 pm. (Zoom link will be provided when you register.)
Field Trips: Two Saturday three-hour practice field trips, March 21 and 28, 8:00 to 11:00 am.
We are offering the same workshop in the last half of April. Click here to view.
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Group Size
Limited to 7 participants to allow sufficient one-on-one guidance during field trips.
Field Trip description
Field Trip Location – Heron's Head Park, San Francisco, CA
We will meet by the benches near the parking lot and end the trip back at the parking lot.
The walks will be approximately 1.5 miles long, mainly on a flat path, and should be accessible to all participants. The main trail is wheelchair-accessible.
Toilets are available at the Ecocenter from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Portable toilets by the parking lot have unpredictable hours.
Expect the usual San Francisco weather and dress accordingly.
Don't forget to bring binoculars if you have them!
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If you have any questions about the workshop, camera gear, or would like to say hello, please email us at lazybirders@gmail.com.
If you are curious about our approach to photography, take a look at our work here.