Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Bixby Pastel Twilight

The evening light changes moment to moment along Highway one. Just a few minutes earlier it seemed that the light was all gone, but as the evening settled in, the glow from the unseen sunset over the horizon seemed to fill the air with a beautiful warmth.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Bixby Creek Bridge Twilight

South of Monterey along the Pacific Coast Highway there is a stretch of California coastline that has to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Among the many amazing things this area known as Big Sur has to offer are some amazing man made wonders. This is Bixby Creek Bridge an open spandrel (referring to the spaces above the arches) concrete arch bridge. It's completion in 1932 meant an end to the 11 mile inland trek required to cross Bixby creek which was all but impassable in the winter. As beautiful as the bridge is during the day, just after sunset the colors really come alive especially with a nice long exposure.

Sunday, November 23, 2014
Santa Barbara Skies

An evening in the hills over Santa Barbara. The lights of the city are just visible as the bright glow through the trees and the foreground was lit by the headlights of passing cars. There is such an amazing dance going on just above our heads every night. And you don't even need a telescope or even a camera to appreciate it. Just a short drive up the mountain to a dark spot and the patience to sit and let your eyes adjust, is all you need to have the beauty of the universe laid out before you. (Or at least our little galactic corner of it.)

Sunday, August 17, 2014
Milky Way Over Goleta

Last night in the foothills above Goleta, the sky was beautifully dark and clear. I have been planning a drive to Santa Ynez to get some Milky Way pictures out where there is less light. But last night I just had to get out and see what I could get, even if it was a little late for the drive all the way to my favorite astrophotography spots.

This was one of my earlier shots of the evening. The glow is from cars in the distance and the city of Goleta down the hill in the distance. This spot was not my first choice (or even my second) when thinking of where to go, but as it turned out it was the best. There was just enough of a ridge around this area to block the city lights enough to get some beautiful images of the night sky and to see quite a few beautiful shooting stars!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Montecito Sunset Panorama

This spot in Montecito on the walk by Butterfly Beach is one of my favorite spots to watch the sunset. The lights on the land to the right are in downtown Santa Barbara, on the left you can see the channel islands.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Happy Holidays From Santa Barbara

Yes I know the Holidays are over, but the flag was still up when I took this (Look closely to the left of the light.) and we just took our tree down. ( I really like to make the most of the holidays ) So lets just say I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are having an amazing new year!

Monday, April 18, 2005
Pacific Coast Sunset

One day while we were in Monterey we took a drive down Highway 1. It was a hazy day, but that made for a nice sunset. As we got higher on the side of the mountain it looked like we were above a layer of clouds that was hugging the water. With a little luck I will have some photos of that... as soon as I get the other 23 rolls of film developed. :-D

The bright spot at the left of the photo that initially looks like the sun is actually a lens flare. The sun is out of the frame. Because of the haze, including the sun in the shot made a large fuzzy bright area rather than a nice sunset shot.

Thursday, April 14, 2005
Gold Coast Sunset

I just got back from a trip to Carmel and Monterey. It was a much needed vacation, it's been over two years since my last one. I had a great time, although I did find out that my Hound Dog's idea of a vacation is a long morning walk at about 6:30am (we normally try to sleep in.)

Those morning walks did give me a great opportunity to explore with my camera though. I shot over 38 rolls of photos while I was there, it was very relaxing. Of course, quantity by no means equals quality, but I hope to have a few nice shots for the site anyway! :-D You be the judge!

This shot is from a drive down Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) in the late afternoon on a hazy day. The haze and low sun made a beautiful golden glow. And, it was a particularly windy day, a few rain showers had just passed through which made for some nice waves.