“New” Pictures from the Archives
I was going through a backlog of images and found a batch of pictures I realized had never been posted on my blog. They were taken in January at Crystal Cove State Park. I like 'em, so I thought I'd pull them out of the archives and post them up for you guys. Especially with the ugly weather of summer setting in (ugly for photography, not sun-bathing), I figured it might be awhile before I have any new material for you.
These first shots are my favorite from that day. I went out into - literally IN to - a large tidepool and shot back towards the mainland where the beautiful warm light of the sunset was bathing the cliffs nicely. The reflections off the water were stunning. I liked how the scene looked more like a mountain landscape than it did a beach - almost like a serene lake with a sun-kissed mountain in the background.
I know, the following picture is a lot like the one up top. I couldn't decide which one to post over the other and I think they are different enough to have their own merits. I was really diggin' the textures and colors in the rocks above and below the water surface, so I worked with that in several of the shots.
The following picture, especially, really looked more like a mountain scene to me than a beach. It must be the rocks under the water's surface and the stick floating off to the left. But I think that's why I photographed the hell out of this area - I can get a little bored shooting out towards the ocean all the time (you guys outside California are probably shaking your heads in disgust at that comment). It was nice to get a unique view for a change.
Then I moved out to the beach to capture a more classic seascape with ocean, rock and sand. The sunset, as you can see, was gorgeous. Ah, how I miss the skies of winter and fall...
Thanks for stopping by!
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
This past Saturday, I decided to check out Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in Del Mar, CA. I'd never been there before and I'd only seen a few pictures of it online, so I didn't really know what to expect. But with gorgeous weather prevailing and some free time on my hands, I figured it would be a perfect time to visit a new location for potential photo ops.
After spending the whole day there, hiking/running about 5 miles of its trails and then taking pictures through sunset, I can safely say that Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve will be one of my most frequented parks from here on out. In fact, I'd say it's going to give my favorite place to shoot in Southern California, Crystal Cove State Park, a run for its money.
Home to America's rarest pine tree (the Torrey Pine, which is only found in this park and on Santa Rosa Island off the California coast), Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve has some of the most unique geology and flora of any park I've visited. As I ran through the winding, narrow trails, I felt like I was transported to someplace further north - where pine forest meets the ocean. The eroded hillsides and cliffs at the edge of the water are reminiscent of San Onofre State Park, but even more beautiful.
Wildflowers were already blooming and I'm sure this place will absolutely explode with color in the next few weeks. It was quite crowded through the first half of the day, but what do you expect when you combine such a beautiful day with such a gorgeous park? The sunset turned out to be fantastic - just as I predicted. Some great clouds drifted in just in time to give the sunset some color. I also found a Torrey Pine tree with limbs shaped in such a way that they were just begging to be photographed. I took several similar shots of it but couldn't decide which was my favorite.
Here are the rest of my shots from the day:
Well, there you have it. My pictures from my first encounter with Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. I hope you enjoyed them and expect to see more where those came from.
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
I recently discovered the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve near Murrieta, CA and, I have to say, I am extremely excited for all the future photo opps I have to look forward to. The terrain is classic California with rolling hills, meadows and oak trees dotted throughout. I personally love this type of landscape both for hiking and taking pictures. And I can already tell this place will be exploding with wildflowers in the Spring - I can't wait to get out there on a beautiful Spring day with billowing cumulous clouds drifting overhead.
This first picture was taken in January before any major rains hit the area so the terrain was quite dry. Nevertheless, the hike out there was fantastic and the oak trees, lighting and clouds refused to let me leave without taking a picture or two.
The following week, Southern California experienced some of the most severe storms since El Niño way back in the 90's. The rainfall was like nothing I've personally ever seen before. It was coming down hard, fast and relentlessly. It caused havoc at my home by choosing to seep under the walls and soak my carpet, but it made for some interesting scenery (and anyone who knows me knows I love inclement weather, so I was happy). The following two pictures were taken during a very small break in the rain. In fact, I was out there with an umbrella over my camera for some of the shots.
This first shot is a natural pool that formed in this meadow. The clouds reflecting off it were begging for a vertical composition.
There was also a creek flowing in between the hills that was quite interesting to me. It was like no creek I'd seen before - obviously a very rare one - because it wasn't in a typical creek bed with rocks and sediment. It was just water flowing through the valleys between these hills, right on top of the grass and finding the path of least resistance. I wouldn't consider it a beautiful creek and I wouldn't even consider the following picture a beautiful picture, but it was just too interesting to not photograph and share.
My time out there in the rain among these beautiful hills and meadows all by myself was beyond words. But as if all the amazing scenery and peaceful solitude wasn't enough, I was lucky enough to spot two coyotes traversing the hills on the other side of the creek. Seeing them in their natural habitat was truly breathtaking.
The craft of photography is always fun, but it's experiences like these why I really go out there and take pictures.
Fuller Mill Creek
I finally had some down time over the weekend (thanks to Christmas), so I thought I'd head out to get some pictures in a new location. After a little bit of research time on the net, I chose Fuller Mill Creek up in Idyllwild, CA. I was hoping for a snow-covered creek, and there was some snow, but just not so much on the creek. Nevertheless, it was fun to explore this beautiful little creek and now I now where to go when we get some new snow up there. Anyway, here are the results:
Have a Happy New Year!
New Winter & Spring 2010 Workshop Schedule
Introducing the new workshop schedule for winter and spring 2010!
Announcing 19 new photography workshops scheduled for fall 2009, winter 2010 and spring 2010! The spring workshops include wildflower photo excursions to many wildflower hot spots like Joshua Tree National Park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve! To get more information and to see the upcoming schedule of workshops, head over to the†Workshops Main Page.
Reserve your spot in one of these workshops today before they fill up!