Friday, October 23, 2009
Nojoqui Falls Rock Shelter

This little cave-like formation is common at the bottom of a waterfall. The churning of the water easily erodes the rock more quickly than the falling water down the face of the waterfall. I would imagine it would be a much more violent and dangerous place in the middle of a rain storm. But I'll bet it's a spectacular sight!

Sunday, February 1, 2009
Secluded Cove

Today we took a drive down Highway 1 to look for a place called Jade cove. It is always a beautiful drive and we usually stop at various parks in Big Sur but this time we found everything on the east side of Highway 1 closed. They had some massive fires last year and they still have not reopened the parks.

Luckily all the vista points on the beach side were still open. This is just south of Big Sur at a vista point looking south along the coast.

Probably good we did not stop that often anyway, Jade cove was a lot further than we expected, almost twenty miles further. And if you have ever been on Highway 1, twenty miles can be a long way especially this time of year when they are just barely keeping parts of it passable.

Saturday, April 26, 2008
San Simeon Sunset

This was taken the evening before my VR Highway 1 Sunset, just a little further up Highway 1. If you turned around from where we were standing you could almost see the top of Hearst Castle in the hills.

Of course if you looked to the left... and I apologize in advance for ruining the tranquil California sunset day dream you're having right now... there were a bunch of Elephant Seals. And they were quite loud and very comical. I'm sure I have a few shots of them to get on-line soon.

Now back to the regularly scheduled day dream... Right up the road, a little closer to the lighthouse is a scenic point that has less seals, and when we were there they were just laying enjoying the evening sea breeze. One had her flipper over her baby like she was hugging it. So if you'd rather picture yourself there that would work too. :-D

Saturday, December 30, 2006
Happy Seals

The guy in the center looks really happy! Nice whiskers too.

The swirls in the water at the left really make this photo interesting to me.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Basking Butterfly

At one point I knew what kind of butterfly this was. But it's name escapes me at the moment. And, if you have ever searched the Internet for butterflies you know there are about a million different kinds which makes identification a bit difficult.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Shadow Puppets

The Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens is a beautiful place. Never a shortage of subjects. But, I wonder if the plants get bored when the gates close and everyone goes home. At least they can entertain themselves making shadow puppets on the rocks.

The fern is doing his impression of a Norfolk Pine.

Monday, August 15, 2005
Basking Seals

More "Sea Bassets!

Sunday, May 15, 2005
Cactus Garden

Lotusland is an amazing place. The result of one person's love of plants. Now it is open to the public (by reservation). There are gardens of all kinds, not just it's namesake flowers. Some, like this cactus garden, are new since the garden's benefactor, Ganna Walska, passed away. It has been a wonderful place for a photographer, rich with subjects you would never see in the wild.

• Lotusland
• Photo of the Day March, 31. "Lotusland, Cactus Blossoms"
• Photo of the Day February, 15. "Lotusland, Lantern"
• Photo of the Day February, 1. "Lotusland, Peaceful Spot"

Saturday, May 7, 2005
Santa Barbara Sandpiper

These guys are fun to watch on the beach, sometimes they seem to forget they can fly as they run from the waves. I particularly like the perspecive of this shot. I got down more at his (her?) level and it made for a much more interesting photo.

Wednesday, March 2, 2005
Beach Rock

Some pictures are all about the timing. I like the fact that the close side of the rock is dry. I took a couple more pictures on the next waves, but they are not quite as cool 'cause the rock was already wet.

Saturday, January 29, 2005
Ventura Sunset

Before I lived in Santa Barbara when we visited here this was one of our favorite stops on the way home. It is a nice beach in Ventura about 30 minutes south of Santa Barbara. At the beach end of this pier is a great Seafood restaurant called Eric Ericsons.