Monday, November 25, 2019
Waikiki Harbor Storm

It's no secret that Hawaii, Waikiki especially, is known for its breathtaking views. But one of the things I enjoy in a place like this is capturing something a little different. Now don't get me wrong, I love a beautiful sunset view and have shot my share of them, but to my eye this has to be one of the most interesting and beautiful images I've ever captured in Hawaii. This is a single image, captured in camera, and not a particularly long exposure since the movement of the boats in their slips would make them unpleasantly blurry over even a matter of seconds. I'm always amazed at the beauty and complexity of lightning bolts as they try to find their way through the atmosphere, and after staring at the structure of these for longer than I probably could accurately estimate I'm convinced that lower one on the left was generally coming straight for us emanating from the bright point in the center of it. An absolutely beautiful evening, and the sunset that preceded it was actually something to behold too, I'll probably share that at a later date.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Yacht Club Moonset

The day after the new moon, there is just a sliver of a waxing crescent that sets right after sunset. It makes for some beautiful and interesting views with the setting sun. Last night there was an interesting low layer of wispy clouds enveloping the beautiful crescent just before it slipped out of sight.

Sunday, October 4, 2015
Endless Wonder

Every day is a work of art! Although the weather conditions can be similar and there are things I look for to give me hints where to stand with my camera, I never cease to be in awe of the individual beauty of each day. I can return to the same spot over and over, but there is always something new to see. This is from one of my favorite perches in the foothills overlooking the Santa Barbara Harbor, Stearns Wharf and Santa Cruz Island in the distance. This is the direction I like to face on a clear evening with high beautiful clouds like this. On an evening like this it's tempting to go somewhere and watch the sun set over the hills or at the beach. But when the conditions are right, the glow cast by that spectacular sunset can bathe everything in a wonderful new light. If you take the time to look around and not be distracted by the obvious show, sometimes you'll find something even more amazing. And if you can manage it, don't ever loose that sense of wonder, It makes every day amazing!

Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Evening Harbor Glow

As we are at the start of another heat wave here in Santa Barbara, it's time to spend more time at the water. And I've noticed an interesting change, as the weather is so unseasonably warm, the water is actually warming up enough that people play in it much more and later into the evening than normally. They were still in the water well after dark, and if you've ever spent any time on our beaches you know they are usually get a bit cool once the sun goes down, and, unless you're really active the water can cool you off uncomfortably pretty quickly even during the day. But these days with over 70 degree water temperatures it's warm enough to stay quite pleasant. Hopefully this will also mean a good wet winter and an end to our drought.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Yacht Racers

This evening walking out to the breakwater at the harbor, we immediately noticed something a little different. In the distance there was a noticeable presence that was a little out of the ordinary. In the place where the hard working fishing boats normally sleep tucked safely away in their slips, there was a very orderly procession of perfectly identical (and very large) sail boat masts. As we got closer we saw that the location is now (I assume temporarily) inhabited by a fleet of very nice looking racing yachts. It seems there is some sort of race in town, and the people involved were having a great time at the many restaurants along the harbor. This area is usually quite festive with tourists and people out for an enjoyable evening, but this evening there was an even more noticeable party atmosphere.

Monday, August 10, 2015
Ready for Action

Kayaks, Paddle boards and Surf Boards at the Santa Barbara Harbor at the end of a long day of fun in the water.

Saturday, August 8, 2015
Harbor Glow

Another view of one of the spectacular sunsets from this week. This is our reward for the hot humid days, usually we have to wait until winter to see sunsets like this. But every once in a while we get a nice surprise.

Thursday, August 6, 2015
Thoughtful Dolphin

This evening was another unseasonable evening of beautiful clouds and moist air. In fact the clouds were so heavy it looked like there wouldn't be much of a sunset at all. The clouds had completely blocked the sun about an hour before sunset. But it was still a beautiful evening for a nice walk. As we were wandering along the breakwater, it became apparent that the sun had other ideas. Even though we never actually saw the sun itself, just after sunset it decided to make its presence known. The sky started to glow pink, and it just kept getting brighter until the whole sky from horizon to horizon was involved. It was truly a spectacular scene and as vibrant as the colors are in this image, it was even more amazing standing there. At the peak of the sunset we reached the end of the breakwater. We watched the show with this beautiful dolphin who seemed to be pondering the sunset as much as we were. He is actually part of a memorial sculpted by Bud Bottoms in memory of those lost at sea. You can't see it from this angle, but the plaque in front of him reads "IN MEMORY OF OUR LOVED ONES WHOSE LIVES AND DESTINIES HAVE BEEN CLAIMED BY THE SEA." I guess that's why he looks so thoughtful.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Reflections

Ahh sailboats, I know it seems like a theme lately. It's only partially because I really love them (especially the bright colors in this shot.) The other reason is, near the water is about the only comfortable place to be these days. The cool air coming across the breakwater is the only thing that makes a walk bearable during the day lately. Well that and the cool water if you don't time the waves right. Still humid summer or not, it's absolutely beautiful!

Monday, August 3, 2015
Harbor City Lights

This afternoon it looked like we might have some beautiful sunset clouds. But the sun at the end of the day was just a little too much for them. As the sun faded so did the last beautiful wisps of clouds. But they left in their wake an interesting haze that scattered the late twilight with a beautiful glow making for some particularly beautiful long exposures.

Sunday, June 21, 2015
Golden Hour Mountains

Golden hour walking on the Santa Barbara Harbor Breakwater looking toward Stearns Wharf and our beautiful mountains. I love catching the little starbursts of sunset reflected in the windows of the homes on the hill. This evening was particularly golden.

Thursday, June 18, 2015
Harbor Sunset

Walking back along the breakwater at the Santa Barbara Harbor. No better place to spend this time of day. Unless of course you happen to be able to take one of these beautiful sailboats out for an evening cruise.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Whale Tail Golden Hour

Sitting on the whale tail bench enjoying the sunset with my best friend. There are actually two of these beautiful benches next to each other, we were sitting on the other one. These beautiful benches are by Bud Bottoms, the creator of our wonderful "Dolphin Family" fountinan at the base of Stearns Wharf.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Santa Barbara Harbor Reflections

Walking at the Santa Barbara Harbor enjoying the reflections in still evening water.

Sunday, March 15, 2015
Golden Hour Paddle

Evening on the Santa Barbara Harbor breakwater. The afternoon was a little more cloudy than expected, it gave us a nice break from yesterday's heat. But the sun still managed to peek under the clouds at the end of the day to bathe the city in golden light. I had the good fortune to spend the day exploring with my best friend, location scouting for beautiful spots for a new senic shot of the city. But in the end everything came together at one of our favorite locations. That's ok, we still found some good spots for another day when the light is different, and had a great time!

Monday, September 1, 2014
Harbor View Sunset

The Santa Barbara Harbor about a half hour after a beautiful summer sunset. This year has been one of the driest on record, but several Pacific hurricanes have supplied us with enough of these beautiful wispy evening clouds to put on quite an unseasonable show. This particular day had a wonderful parade of high clouds all day giving me a good hint that the evening would be beautiful. And I couldn't think of a better place to spend the warm evening than walking on the breakwater at the Harbor with my best friend.

Monday, June 30, 2014
Summer Sunset at the Santa Barbara Harbor

Last Thursday was shaping up to be a beautiful afternoon. The sky was full of wispy clouds and a clarity in the air that made me really want to get outdoors with my camera. Fortunately the long evenings this time of year give us plenty of time to enjoy the beauty around us. I knew our ultamate destination would be the harbor. But we got there in on a meandering route that let us explore the beaches along the way for anything interesting. (Interesting things like our favorite coffee spot in Montecito so I would have enough energy to carry thirty pounds of camera gear around all evening.) Once we got to the harbor, we found the tide high enough to make staying dry on the breakwater a challenge. But the splashing waves were beautiful in themselves. So beautiful in fact that I almost missed getting in place for the sunset while I tried to capture the power of the waves! More photos to come from that beautiful evening!

Sunday, June 29, 2014
Santa Barbara City Lights

A nice long exposure just after sunset from the end of the breakwater. The tide was pretty high when I took this last week, so I came back from a nice evening walk on the breakwater a little soggy. But it was well worth it. I was not the only one crazy enough to brave the beautiful waves either. There were more than a few people trying to enjoy the view while running from dry spot to dry spot on the breakwater. I actually had fun trying to capture the breaking waves, but they seemed to take on a life of their own. Taunting me only when I turned my back. When I came close to the wall ready to snap my shot quickly then duck, they seemed to know I was stalking them. I actually got all the way out and most of the way back before they caught me off totally off guard. I guess the score is waves 1 - photographer 0, but there will be plenty of warm evenings this summer to give me the opportunity to even up the score.

Saturday, April 5, 2014
Harbor Bound

The end to what looks like it was an amazing day of sailing. This sailboat is motoring its way back into the Santa Barbara Harbor under one of the most beautiful skies imaginable.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Harbor View From La Playa Stadium

View of the Santa Barbara Harbor from the beautiful campus of Santa Barbara Community College

Thursday, January 2, 2014
Santa Barbara Harbor Golden Hour

Just after the sun dipped below the mountains in the distance the sky still had some amazing color. An evening walk on the breakwater is a great place to watch the sunset.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Savanna May Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara Harbor is one of my favorite evening walks. The shops and restaurants along the side of the harbor are always quite busy in the evenings, and the walk out on the breakwater offers a variatey of wonderful views on the city. This was one of the last shots of the evening on one of those walks.

Friday, November 1, 2013
Marine Layer

Although nothing like closer to San Francisco in the north, Santa Barbara is a favorite hang out for something the weather man calls the "Marine Layer". It's basically a layer of air cooled quickly by the water making it much more dense than the warm air above. This cool layer has a tendency to slide into the coast as the sun is setting, bringing with it some beautiful swirling fog. Once in a while the effect is so pronounced that from the right vantage point you can see it rolling in like a beautiful blanket.

Thursday, October 31, 2013
Channel Islands Autumn Colors

We are fortunate enough to have some of the most beautiful views around regardless of the season or weather. But some of my favorite spots have a completely different feel this time of year, and standing in the exact same spot I can get a completely different picture from one I would take in the spring. Although the beautiful palm tree in the foreground doesn't give any hint to the season the way the fall leaves in New England would, we still enjoy amazing autumn colors of our own.