Cobourg ON, where to shoot?

[Andrzej]

Hi, I am new to this forum and have seen many great photographs taken by members of this forum.

I am not mobile and so far have have taken photos in Toronto. Just got my first DSLR just this year. I am looking foward to visiting Cobourg to take some photos. Would like to here from those who live there or have done a fair bit of taking birds photos there.

Where are the good locations to do so and what accomodations are close to the places to take the photos. Something within walking distance or a short cab ride.

Thanks in advanced.

Andrzej

[Harv]

Hi, I am new to this forum and have seen many great photographs taken by members of this forum.

I am not mobile and so far have have taken photos in Toronto. Just got my first DSLR just this year. I am looking foward to visiting Cobourg to take some photos. Would like to here from those who live there or have done a fair bit of taking birds photos there.

Where are the good locations to do so and what accomodations are close to the places to take the photos. Something within walking distance or a short cab ride.

Thanks in advanced.

Andrzej

Hi, Andrzej. Welcome to the forum. It's always nice to have new members. If you need help with anything on the forum, don't hesitate to ask. There is a lot of talent here and people happy to share it.

I live here in Cobourg which is a great little town with a population of 18,000. It would help to have some idea of what type of photography you enjoy to be able to offer suggestions. Or some idea of the equipment you use. Lens selection etc..

As for accommodations, most hotels/motels are on the outskirts and not great for walking to the centre of town. However, being a small town, taxi rides would be quite short. For that matter, If I'm around when you are in the area, I could possibly help out in that regard.

Most of the attraction of Cobourg is during the spring/summer/fall period. The area around the waterfront and downtown is probably the best. Areas such as Victoria Park and the Harbour/Marina area which are adjacent to one another. At this time of year, the boats are all out of the water and Victoria Park doesn't have much activity going on.

The Cobourg Harbour is great for waterfowl photography during the winter months and many of the winter ducks have been arriving lately. It gets better still when things begin to freeze up and the ducks etc. congregate in smaller areas which are easier to manage.

Let me know what your interests are and I may be able to help. I can certainly try. Keep in mind that now you are looking at cold weather shooting and it gets very cold at the waterfront area.

[Andrzej]

Hi, Andrzej. Welcome to the forum. It's always nice to have new members. If you need help with anything on the forum, don't hesitate to ask. There is a lot of talent here and people happy to share it.

I live here in Cobourg which is a great little town with a population of 18,000. It would help to have some idea of what type of photography you enjoy to be able to offer suggestions. Or some idea of the equipment you use. Lens selection etc..

As for accommodations, most hotels/motels are on the outskirts and not great for walking to the centre of town. However, being a small town, taxi rides would be quite short. For that matter, If I'm around when you are in the area, I could possibly help out in that regard.

Most of the attraction of Cobourg is during the spring/summer/fall period. The area around the waterfront and downtown is probably the best. Areas such as Victoria Park and the Harbour/Marina area which are adjacent to one another. At this time of year, the boats are all out of the water and Victoria Park doesn't have much activity going on.

The Cobourg Harbour is great for waterfowl photography during the winter months and many of the winter ducks have been arriving lately. It gets better still when things begin to freeze up and the ducks etc. congregate in smaller areas which are easier to manage.

Let me know what your interests are and I may be able to help. I can certainly try. Keep in mind that now you are looking at cold weather shooting and it gets very cold at the waterfront area.

Thanks for the info Harv. I mainly do wildlife and landscape photography or at least I try to, but am trying some architecture and historic building shots as well. I really enjoy bird photography and hoping to get some owl and other birds of prey photos. If owls are around your area, I would love to try and get out there this winter, all things permitting.

Andrzej

[Harv]

Thanks for the info Harv. I mainly do wildlife and landscape photography or at least I try to, but am trying some architecture and historic building shots as well. I really enjoy bird photography and hoping to get some owl and other birds of prey photos. If owls are around your area, I would love to try and get out there this winter, all things permitting.

Andrzej

Owls don't normally frequent this area. One was spotted a couple of weeks ago but must have been transient. Here you will find mostly a nice assortment of ducks this time of year.

Most of the songbirds have migrated out of the area now and there are only some of the winter birds still around.

There is some old architecture around town such as Victoria Hall and some others. Neighbouring Port Hope has some nice old architecture that is within walking distance of one another and is an area you should also check out.

[Andrzej]

Owls don't normally frequent this area. One was spotted a couple of weeks ago but must have been transient. Here you will find mostly a nice assortment of ducks this time of year.

Most of the songbirds have migrated out of the area now and there are only some of the winter birds still around.

There is some old architecture around town such as Victoria Hall and some others. Neighbouring Port Hope has some nice old architecture that is within walking distance of one another and is an area you should also check out.

Thanks Harv. Someone else did mention that owls were in the area. Guess I will wait until Spring or summer to head out there then.

Is there a more abundance or any species that are not in Toronto that I would see in Cobourg?

Thanks, Andrzej

[Harv]

Thanks Harv. Someone else did mention that owls were in the area. Guess I will wait until Spring or summer to head out there then.

Is there a more abundance or any species that are not in Toronto that I would see in Cobourg?

Thanks, Andrzej

Hi, Andrzej.

I can't really answer that question as I am not familiar with what to expect in Toronto. Here in Cobourg during the winter months we get a lot of the 'diver' ducks that migrate down from more remote areas as we usually have enough open water in the harbour. Here you can expect to find...

Longtails
Buffleheads
Goldeneyes
Common Mergansers
Red-breasted Mergansers
Hooded Mergansers
Lesser Scaups
Ringneck Ducks
Redheads
American Coots
White-winged Scoters
Mute and Trumpeter swans

Plus the usual Mallards and Canada Geese.

Occasionally something out of the ordinary shows up as well.

I may have forgotten some, but this is a good start.

[Andrzej]

Hi, Andrzej.

I can't really answer that question as I am not familiar with what to expect in Toronto. Here in Cobourg during the winter months we get a lot of the 'diver' ducks that migrate down from more remote areas as we usually have enough open water in the harbour. Here you can expect to find...

Longtails
Buffleheads
Goldeneyes
...
Plus the usual Mallards and Canada Geese.

Occasionally something out of the ordinary shows up as well.

I may have forgotten some, but this is a good start.

Thanks Harv, pretty much what I see in Toronto. Will plan strictly a spring or ealry summer outing to Cobourg them. Is the marina the only or main place to photograph birds? Also do you know the best place to stay that is near the marina?

Thanks

[Harv]

Thanks Harv, pretty much what I see in Toronto. Will plan strictly a spring or ealry summer outing to Cobourg them. Is the marina the only or main place to photograph birds? Also do you know the best place to stay that is near the marina?

Thanks

These ducks winter here in the harbour area but will be gone in the spring.

[Andrzej]

These ducks winter here in the harbour area but will be gone in the spring.

Thanks Harv. Most of the birds come very close, with the exception of the Common/Red-breasted Mergansers and the Redhead ducks.

Would have a week-end trip out there on the train if there species that I could not get in Toronto.

Andrzej