There is something truly captivating about the electric blue of a male Lazuli Bunting. My fascination with these birds began the moment I saw one featured in a photographer’s vlog on YouTube. I was immediately hooked and knew I had to experience that vibrant color through my own lens.
Living in the Bay Area, I am fortunate to be right in the middle of their migration path. Every year, during late spring and early summer, these gemstone-colored visitors arrive to fill our local hills with color and song. Over the last few years, I’ve dedicated time to scouting the best locations to find them, and now I have a rotation of reliable spots that rarely disappoint.
Below is a collection of my favorite shots taken between 2023 and 2025. These images were captured at some of the best birding locations the South Bay has to offer:
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Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve (Cupertino, CA)
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Joseph D. Grant County Park (San Jose, CA)
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Santa Teresa County Park (San Jose, CA)
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Ed R. Levin County Park (Milpitas, CA)
I hope you enjoy viewing these as much as I enjoyed photographing them!