Saturday, February 28, 2009
Day Up in Flames
(January 5th) Some days are just not meant to be. I headed out to Point Pinos to begin a wonderful morning of photography. The pre-dawn conditions seemed great, but I was able to press the shutter only a few times before the clouds rolled in and the day became a torrential mess of rain. I even tried to go to the Monterrey Aquarium to take photographs, but since they don't allow tripods or flash that was a dead end. Instead I spent the day researching some questions I had about autofocus after working on some movement shots at Carmel Lagoon the previous night.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Goodbye Elephant Seals
(January 4th) For my last morning in San Simeon, I caught the pre-dawn light at the coast again. This morning, it was all about the reflection in the water left behind by the waves. The hues were so soft and varied this morning.
Then it was on to the elephant seals. It was sad to have to say goodbye to these magnificent animals. The last several days I learned so much about them and the individual seals had become recognizable to me. Photographically I worked mostly on the pups again, by this time many more offspring had been borne - I'd estimate about 1/3 of the females had pups by now.
With such cute faces as that, how could a mother resist nuzzling?
The seals weren't the only ones at the beach. California Ground Squirrels also made the areas near the beach their home. This one enjoyed breakfast two feet away from me.
It was hard to say goodbye to me new friends the seals, but I headed up north to the Monterrey area. I spent a bit of time driving around before I ended up at the Carmel River and Lagoon area. This place was fantastic. It had a pond that was filled with birds. I spent a bit of time watching the dynamic, little Buffleheads.
The ponds was filled with gulls that were there as well as some majectic Brown Pelicans. With the late light creating some wonderful texture, the bright colors of the Brown Pelicans were remarkable.
Then it was on to the elephant seals. It was sad to have to say goodbye to these magnificent animals. The last several days I learned so much about them and the individual seals had become recognizable to me. Photographically I worked mostly on the pups again, by this time many more offspring had been borne - I'd estimate about 1/3 of the females had pups by now.
With such cute faces as that, how could a mother resist nuzzling?
The seals weren't the only ones at the beach. California Ground Squirrels also made the areas near the beach their home. This one enjoyed breakfast two feet away from me.
It was hard to say goodbye to me new friends the seals, but I headed up north to the Monterrey area. I spent a bit of time driving around before I ended up at the Carmel River and Lagoon area. This place was fantastic. It had a pond that was filled with birds. I spent a bit of time watching the dynamic, little Buffleheads.
The ponds was filled with gulls that were there as well as some majectic Brown Pelicans. With the late light creating some wonderful texture, the bright colors of the Brown Pelicans were remarkable.
Pups, Curlews, and Godwits - Oh My!
(January 3rd) Today I was fortunate to have a couple of friends from L.A. come up to hang out with me. I somehow managed to convince them to wakeup before sunrise, so we could be out shooting to capture the coast at dawn.
After we started to get some light, it was time for a morning with the seals. I spent most of my time concentrating on the pups. The newborn pups spend a good deal of their time nursing. At this young age, they are quite gangly and awkward.
In between watching the pups, I tried for a couple more "artsy" shots. This is a shot of the front flipper of an adult female.
After sleeping, nursing is the most common activity for the pups. But they can't always get it right. So they bark to get their mother's attention. All the elephant seals are quite loud, mothers included, so they have no qualms at barking back to their children.
For the afternoon we headed down to Morro Bay. We walked around Montana de Oro State Park, taking in some of the great scenery. This part of the coast is replete with jagged rocky outcroppings of all sorts of shapes.
We had a great day together, but my friends had to head back to L.A. I headed over to a different part of Montana de Oro for the last hour or so of light. Oh was that light incredible. On top of that, I was completely alone on the beach with some very friendly Marbled Godwits.
If the godwits weren't enough, I was completely amazed by the Long-billed Curlews who were walking right up to me. These birds are definitely one of my favorites. With the light, the scenery, and the sheer excitement, it was a great experience. I couldn't believe the number of fantastic shots I got in a single hour.
After we started to get some light, it was time for a morning with the seals. I spent most of my time concentrating on the pups. The newborn pups spend a good deal of their time nursing. At this young age, they are quite gangly and awkward.
In between watching the pups, I tried for a couple more "artsy" shots. This is a shot of the front flipper of an adult female.
After sleeping, nursing is the most common activity for the pups. But they can't always get it right. So they bark to get their mother's attention. All the elephant seals are quite loud, mothers included, so they have no qualms at barking back to their children.
For the afternoon we headed down to Morro Bay. We walked around Montana de Oro State Park, taking in some of the great scenery. This part of the coast is replete with jagged rocky outcroppings of all sorts of shapes.
We had a great day together, but my friends had to head back to L.A. I headed over to a different part of Montana de Oro for the last hour or so of light. Oh was that light incredible. On top of that, I was completely alone on the beach with some very friendly Marbled Godwits.
If the godwits weren't enough, I was completely amazed by the Long-billed Curlews who were walking right up to me. These birds are definitely one of my favorites. With the light, the scenery, and the sheer excitement, it was a great experience. I couldn't believe the number of fantastic shots I got in a single hour.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
All Dried Up
(January 2nd) I took a little time again in the early morning to do some slow-shutter work. I tried for a bit more of a reductionist perspective on things. I feel that I need a neutral density filter to take this where I'd like to go with it.
After dawn, I had another great morning with the seals. I took some time to try and communicate the impression given by the large bulls. These males truly dominate the beach. You can see the power in their hulking form and the experience they have in their heavily scarred necks. As they age, their nose begins to resemble their namesake's trunk.
The mother and pups were adorable today. The dark black fur on the young pups contrasts sharply with the sandy color of their mothers.
If there is one activity that dominates the day of all the seals on the beach, it is sleeping. With so many seals around, there is always activity. At any point in time, ninety percent of them will be resting like this female.
I left the seals and headed inland to visit Carrizo Plains National Monument. This location is home to several endangered species and was also billed as a wintering spot for cranes, shorebirds, and waterfowl. When I arrived there I found that a decade-long dry spell has dried up the lake, causing the birds to find some other place to winter. The plains are surrounded by some picturesque hills.
After dawn, I had another great morning with the seals. I took some time to try and communicate the impression given by the large bulls. These males truly dominate the beach. You can see the power in their hulking form and the experience they have in their heavily scarred necks. As they age, their nose begins to resemble their namesake's trunk.
The mother and pups were adorable today. The dark black fur on the young pups contrasts sharply with the sandy color of their mothers.
If there is one activity that dominates the day of all the seals on the beach, it is sleeping. With so many seals around, there is always activity. At any point in time, ninety percent of them will be resting like this female.
I left the seals and headed inland to visit Carrizo Plains National Monument. This location is home to several endangered species and was also billed as a wintering spot for cranes, shorebirds, and waterfowl. When I arrived there I found that a decade-long dry spell has dried up the lake, causing the birds to find some other place to winter. The plains are surrounded by some picturesque hills.
Dawn of a New Year
(January 1st) Happy New Year to all. I have many hopes and expectations for this year, both photographically and otherwise. I hope everyone else's wishes all come true. I can't think of a better way to start the year off than photographing in the gorgeous San Simeon area. I started off catching some of the pre-dawn light with some slow shutter speeds. I'm going to be working on this a bit more over the next few mornings, but I like the look.
Next it was on to the elephant seals. No fog rolled in today and I had a lot of fun watching their antics. Several new pups were born over the night. The seals were quite energetic today. This pair of young males put on quite a show with their sparring.
The action just didn't stop!
Leaving the seals, I drove to the Morro Bay area. I made a quick stop where I saw some wintering Monarch butterflies, then ventured to Montana de Oro State Park. On a holiday weekend, this place was crowded! I love to see people enjoying the outdoors, but the afternoon was destined not to be photographically successful. Every time I had a subject in sights, someone would scare my subject away. The worst was when I had spent an hour climbing out slowly on some rocks to get into position and get some Black Oystercatchers and a Whimbrel accustomed to me, all to have it spoiled by people throwing things in our general vicinity... It's sad to say, but this White-crowned Sparrow was one of my best shots of the afternoon.
Next it was on to the elephant seals. No fog rolled in today and I had a lot of fun watching their antics. Several new pups were born over the night. The seals were quite energetic today. This pair of young males put on quite a show with their sparring.
The action just didn't stop!
Leaving the seals, I drove to the Morro Bay area. I made a quick stop where I saw some wintering Monarch butterflies, then ventured to Montana de Oro State Park. On a holiday weekend, this place was crowded! I love to see people enjoying the outdoors, but the afternoon was destined not to be photographically successful. Every time I had a subject in sights, someone would scare my subject away. The worst was when I had spent an hour climbing out slowly on some rocks to get into position and get some Black Oystercatchers and a Whimbrel accustomed to me, all to have it spoiled by people throwing things in our general vicinity... It's sad to say, but this White-crowned Sparrow was one of my best shots of the afternoon.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
End of the Year
(December 31st) Some things about 2008 were great and some were regrettable. But in terms of photography, it was a genesis. Starting out the year, I knew nothing. But thanks to some great training, I learned what I did not know. Now I still know next to nothing, but I have a starting place to learn. I can't think of a better way to end the year than taking pictures in the central California coast. Of course I may have been the only one up at 4 and asleep by 8pm... I started the day trying to capture the sunrise over the water. This was one of my better attempts from the morning, looks like I need more attempts over the next few days.
Then it was on to the seals. The seals were great in the early morning light. One of the common behaviors the male will do is to rear up and call out in a low-pitched pulsing call. From the pitch, you can tell the size of the males. So when an old adult calls out, nearby males will scramble to move out of his territory. Here is a younger male calling from the surf.
The great conditions were not to last. Very quickly a thick fog rolled in. This shot of a female with a muddy face was one of the last ones I was able to get before it became unshootable.
With the fog looking like it would never clear at 9am, I decided to scout out other potential locations I had heard of. Everywhere I went it seemed the fog followed. Finally I found some sun 4 hours later up in the mountains. This red-tailed hawk gave me a flyover near San Antonio Lake.
For the afternoon I drove down to Morro Bay. I spent a few hours literally lying in the mud. I was able to get a few low shots, like this Marbled Godwit who was feeding in the mud flats.
A short drive over to a nearby beach yielded some more mud to wade through. Here the shorebirds were having a field day. This Least Sandpiper was hanging around through the last of the light.
Then it was on to the seals. The seals were great in the early morning light. One of the common behaviors the male will do is to rear up and call out in a low-pitched pulsing call. From the pitch, you can tell the size of the males. So when an old adult calls out, nearby males will scramble to move out of his territory. Here is a younger male calling from the surf.
The great conditions were not to last. Very quickly a thick fog rolled in. This shot of a female with a muddy face was one of the last ones I was able to get before it became unshootable.
With the fog looking like it would never clear at 9am, I decided to scout out other potential locations I had heard of. Everywhere I went it seemed the fog followed. Finally I found some sun 4 hours later up in the mountains. This red-tailed hawk gave me a flyover near San Antonio Lake.
For the afternoon I drove down to Morro Bay. I spent a few hours literally lying in the mud. I was able to get a few low shots, like this Marbled Godwit who was feeding in the mud flats.
A short drive over to a nearby beach yielded some more mud to wade through. Here the shorebirds were having a field day. This Least Sandpiper was hanging around through the last of the light.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Elephant Seals and More!
(December 30th) Having arrived at San Simeon, I was eager to wake up early and head out to the seals. Since I arrived the previous night in the dark, I also got to see what some of the coast looked like as the light came up. I remembered seeing the elephant seals at the end of their breeding and birthing period at the dunes of Ano Nuevo several years back. That did not prepare me for Piedras Blancas - here there were many more seals, and much more active.
A little bit of biology. These are large seals, not what most people think of when you hear of seals. They were hunted close to extinction at the end of the 19th century. But they have made an amazing comeback. At Piedras Blancas, you notice 3 main types of seals. First are the adult male seals. These are the largest - they can be 16 feet long and weigh over 5,000 pounds. That's a lot of seal! Here's a young male - too small to maintain a harem.
Aside from the males, the other players on the beach are the females and pups. The females are smaller than the males - 11 feet long and around 1,200 pounds. When I arrived a few pups had been born in the last couple of days. Here is a female with her pup.
After morning with the seals, I drove around a bit checking out some of the coast. There were some great views and birds close by. Then I took a drive south to Morro Rock where I saw this Western Gull hanging out before I headed back up for a late afternoon with the seals.
A little bit of biology. These are large seals, not what most people think of when you hear of seals. They were hunted close to extinction at the end of the 19th century. But they have made an amazing comeback. At Piedras Blancas, you notice 3 main types of seals. First are the adult male seals. These are the largest - they can be 16 feet long and weigh over 5,000 pounds. That's a lot of seal! Here's a young male - too small to maintain a harem.
Aside from the males, the other players on the beach are the females and pups. The females are smaller than the males - 11 feet long and around 1,200 pounds. When I arrived a few pups had been born in the last couple of days. Here is a female with her pup.
After morning with the seals, I drove around a bit checking out some of the coast. There were some great views and birds close by. Then I took a drive south to Morro Rock where I saw this Western Gull hanging out before I headed back up for a late afternoon with the seals.
Friday, February 6, 2009
California Dreamin'
(December 29th) Today I said goodbye to my friends and took off in the rental car to head south. I passed through some gorgeous country. I was aiming to make San Simeon in time for an early night's sleep so I could be up early for my first day with the seals. It was so painful to pass up so many beautiful locations, without stopping to shoot. I did pop out once to take a snapshot of a large rock on the coast.
Then I ran into a phenomenal sunset. The sun got low and the clouds near the horizon just lit up in all these shades of reds and yellows. I had to pull over a second time just to take some shots of this color (this is the actual color).
Then I ran into a phenomenal sunset. The sun got low and the clouds near the horizon just lit up in all these shades of reds and yellows. I had to pull over a second time just to take some shots of this color (this is the actual color).
San Francisco Treat
(December 28th) Not sure if anyone remembers those old Rice-a-Roni commercials... I'm in California for over a week to take some pictures of elephant seals. But before doing that, I spent a few days with some friends having a blast in San Francisco and San Jose. Special thanks to the friend who let me stay for a couple of days before heading down to San Simeon. After some delicious Dim Sum (one of my favorites), we walked around town quite a bit. At Fisherman's Wharf we saw one of the sourdough bread bakers creating some amazing edible animals.
After Fisherman's Wharf, we headed over the Haight Ashbury. The clothing you can get here is more diverse than anything I've seen anywhere else. They have vintage clothing to designer stuff to stuff you couldn't even imagine. Just walking around the streets you see the personality of the district everywhere, with decorations like this pair of legs.
Of course we needed more food! So we headed a ways north to stop at a great sushi restaurant. They made food, like this roll, that was so beautiful it was almost a shame to eat it. The sushi boat we got was enormous and a delcious end to a fun-filled day.
After Fisherman's Wharf, we headed over the Haight Ashbury. The clothing you can get here is more diverse than anything I've seen anywhere else. They have vintage clothing to designer stuff to stuff you couldn't even imagine. Just walking around the streets you see the personality of the district everywhere, with decorations like this pair of legs.
Of course we needed more food! So we headed a ways north to stop at a great sushi restaurant. They made food, like this roll, that was so beautiful it was almost a shame to eat it. The sushi boat we got was enormous and a delcious end to a fun-filled day.
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