Friday, December 17, 2021

California Trip - Part 1

Several months ago we went to southern California for a family event, then I talked Jeff into a quick trip up the coast a ways, then across the state to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.  These are my favorite shots from this quick vacation.

Huntington Beach



Our first stop was Huntington Beach, one of my favorite hangouts as a teenager. On Sunday we ate coconut french toast, (heavenly), at Duke's, which is right on the water front at the beginning of the pier. For those of you who might be Jimmy Buffet fans, he has a mellow song actually called 'Duke's On Sunday'. Duke's is named for the legendary Duke Kahanamoku, (who died in 1968 at age 78), a native Hawaiian, Olympic swimmer, and considered to be the 'father' of modern day surfing. Huntington Beach is a well known surf beach and we sat on the pier for awhile and watched a few of the surfers do what they love.

Capitola



Heading up the coast we made a quick stop at Bubba Gumps on the Malibu Pier for a bowl of clam chowder (yum). Then drove the rest of the day and ended up in the quaint, sleepy little seaside town of Capitola, which is in the Monterrey area. This little village welcomed its first guests in 1874 making it the first beach resort in California. Now, the charming and colorful cottages right on the beach make it a photographer's dream. (While not exactly Santorini or the Amalfi coast, it is a lot cheaper and quicker to get here!) I missed the sunset so I was counting on a beautiful sunrise. I 'encouraged' Jeff to get up with me around 5am and we headed to the beach when it was completely dark. The weather report called for a clear day and I could see stars everywhere so I thought my chances of a good sunrise were pretty good. We stumbled onto the beach and as the first light appeared it was beautiful, especially the sky and the colorful cottages and lights reflecting in the water. I was basically in the same spot for both the first 2 photos, just facing in opposite directions. Then almost before I realized it, the fog rolled in so quickly that within minutes the ocean, sky and anything farther away that a few yards was not visible anymore! The surfers in the last shot disappeared seconds after I took this photo. (I can't imagine how they could surf in such dense fog, but they did, along with about 10 others.) Of course I never saw the sunrise, but I am happy with the shots I got!

 Shark's Fin Cove


We spent most of the next day wandering up and down the coast near Capitola. The fog stuck around for most of the day, at times lifting a bit to let in some sunshine and blue sky, then darkening again to create dull and muted landscapes. My dreams for a beautiful sunrise/sunset/sky were not going to happen! But I made the best out of what I had to work with and sometimes it paid off. This image turned out to be one of my favs. The location is appropriately named Shark's Fin Cove. As we started walking toward the view, everything was dull and muted. But when we found the Shark's Fin, I spotted this one little patch of pink, and I knew I found my photo op. No beautiful sunset, but I think a more unique photo with the neutral browns, pop of pink and turquoise water.

Seagulls, Pumpkins & Flowers 




Just a few miles from my last post of Shark's Fin Cove, we stopped at this overlook located at Natural Bridges Park. The seagulls looked like they were more interested in the ocean and the kayaker than they were in me taking their photo. Beautiful coast vistas around every bend.  On down the road we stopped at this cute farm store and bought strawberries for a morning snack. I've never seen this flower before, but it was pretty enough for a picture.

 

 


Friday, September 3, 2021

Monsoon Clouds and Sage - Kayenta


Beautiful monsoon clouds develop over Kayenta, Utah. I drove through the neighborhood looking for a foreground showing one of the varieties of purple/magenta sage that is blooming all over the area right now. Lavender and orange are a beautiful color combination in landscapes. (This is the driveway entrance to a home just outside the frame on the left. Who would like a desert home with this view!)

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Sunflowers and Monsoon Clouds

 

Sunflowers and Monsoon Clouds Before the Storm  
Unlike yesterday's post, no beautiful sun in the sunrise today.....just beautiful monsoon clouds. Glad I brought my camera along on an early morning errand. I took a detour and drove until I spotted these sunflowers by the side of the road. (A very wide angle lens gives a unique perspective of the sky.)

Monday, August 30, 2021

Smokey Sunrise from Pine Mountain Fire

 

Smokey Sunrise from Pine Mountain Fire        
The good news for a photographer who wakes up before dawn and can't go back to sleep, is that there is always a sunrise photo to be takan! Unfortunately the beautiful sky is partly due to the smoke from a wild fire burning nearby on a local mountain. (This is Sand Hollow State Park.)

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Fire Lake, Ivins & Paddle Boarder

 

               Just the Paddle Boarder and the Photographer Enjoying a Peaceful Sunrise

Today's Story: I drug myself out of bed early and drove to Fire Lake, hoping for a beautiful sunrise. I was disappointed because the sky was boring, the wind was blowing, and the colors were dull. I decided to stick around anyway, found a composition, set up my tripod, and waited...and waited, and waited. I was the only one there. After waiting longer, a few clouds drifted by, and then the landscape started to slowly warm up just before the sun peaked over the cliffs. Just when I thought I might actually get a decent photo, this paddle boarder floated out from behind the trees. He saw me and knew he was being photographed. About an hour later, after the magic was gone, and people started arriving, I was walking back to my car and noticed this same paddle boarder who was loading up his car. I decided to stop and introduce myself and tell him I was the photographer taking his picture. I told him I would send him the photo if it turned out well. He grinned and said he would love that. He'd never had a photo of himself on his board. I told him not to get too excited because he would not be big enough in the frame to be recognizable, but it might make a great computer screen saver. I just now texted this image to him, and he texted back immediately, to thank me again and said it looked 'amazing'. This little experience reminded me that with just a little bit of effort we can brighten someone's day!

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Water Lily in the Desert

 

Water Lily in the Desert 








Most of us are rarely able to go to faraway or exotic locations to photograph epic landscapes. But we can always find intimate, interesting and often beautiful vignettes in our own neighborhood. I call these 'drive by shootings'. (Side note: I must say, NO PEOPLE ARE SHOT, since one time someone actually thought I meant someone was literally shot in the neighborhood!) But that phrase so aptly describes many of my photos because I often find my subjects by the side of the road. You would not think I took this photo in a desert climate with the temperature hovering around 100 degrees.


                                                  Trick photography? Nope, just a pond reflection.

Monday, August 23, 2021

Bryce Sunset

 

We were rewarded with a beautiful sunset after a lovely afternoon drive to Bryce National Park.  As we stopped at various look out points off the main road, tourists visiting for the first time would turn to whoever was standing next to them and comment almost reverently, about how this was the most amazing landscape they had ever seen.  Of course there are many, many beautiful landscapes on this amazing Earth, but I was reminded yet again, how fortunate I am to live where I can witness views like this in just a short drive from home.
Sunset at Bryce National Park      

We were rewarded with a beautiful sunset after a lovely afternoon drive to Bryce National Park. As we stopped at various look out points off the main road, tourists visiting for the first time would turn to whoever was standing next to them and comment almost reverently, about how this was the most amazing landscape they had ever seen. Of course there are many, many beautiful landscapes on this amazing Earth, but I was reminded yet again, how fortunate I am to live where I can witness views like this in just a short drive from home.

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Snow Canyon at First Light

 

After a wild and torrential lightning, thunder and rain storm late last night, we woke up to a glorious and calm sunrise. Here is Snow Canyon at first light.

Monday, August 16, 2021

Bryce National Park

 

A late afternoon drive and I get to see scenes like this at Bryce National Park. Love southern Utah landscapes!

Sunday, August 15, 2021

For Our New Friends from Boston

It was so nice to meet and visit with your family in Bryce last night.  We hope the rest of your vacation is wonderful and wish the best to Vighnesh at Berkeley.  Here are a few of my photos of the places we talked about that are on your way to California:

Zion
Zion
Zion
Zion
Zion
Zion

Zion

Zion


Snow Canyon - This is a short drive, but very pretty and close to where we live.  Be sure to enter from the north end.
Snow Canyon
Snow Canyon - overlook view taken from road above the canyon.
Snow Canyon

Valley of Fire - Exit off of I-15 before you get to Las Vegas.
Valley of Fire
Valley of Fire
Valley of Fire
Valley of Fire
Valley of Fire