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Big Sur : The Big Sur coast is a magical mixture of big waves crashing against rugged cliffs with redwood forests and rounded hills softened by clouds and mist. Wildflowers, creeks and waterfalls complete the vision of this narrow strip of land between the Santa Lucia mountains and the sea. The people range from upscale tourists to local hippies, but the ambiance is definitely laid back. As I overheard one local say, "Relax, you're in Big Sur".

Big Sur

The Big Sur coast is a magical mixture of big waves crashing against r ...

Updated: Sep 05, 2011 7:39pm PST

Point Lobos & Carmel : Point Lobos, at the southern end of Carmel is one of the most beautiful places on the California coast. It feels wild and mysterious, serene and introspective despite the violent meeting of rock and water. Cool fog damps the sound of ocean waves, which is itself punctuated by distant barking of sea lions and seals. Muted greens of Monterrey Cypress, tan and white rock with occasional bursts of colorful wildflowers. It is a beautiful place to walk, think and photograph. I will return. I have included images of nearby 17 mile drive in Carmel. A less wild stretch of coast further tamed by some of the most expensive homes and golf courses in the world. Carmel is a charming town known for it's artists, art stores and former mayor, Clint Eastwood. If you get a chance to visit, it will make your day.

Point Lobos & Carmel

Point Lobos, at the southern end of Carmel is one of the most beautifu ...

Updated: Sep 26, 2011 7:32pm PST

Yosemite : I always wanted to see Yosemite Valley in the early Spring. It exceeded my wildest dreams but it was a challenge getting there. We originally booked two weeks prior, but that weekend brought 80 mph winds and 5 feet of snow. Hwy 41 (through Fresno) is the shortest way from Los Angeles but that last 40 miles was by escort only through deep drifts of snow. Knowing that "bad weather is a photographer's best friend", I was still hoping to go until there was a landslide that closed hwy 140 (the route in from Merced). Tioga Pass to the East of course would be closed until the end of June. Two weeks after the blizzard, with fresh reservations, the government was arguing over the deficit and threatened to shut down the national parks. Aaahh! At the last moment, a deal was struck and we drove up to Merced after work to get an early start on our trip into Yosemite. We had never entered the park by way of Merced before. We now look at this as our preferred route for two reasons. First is, we stayed at a fabulous bed and breakfast called Serenity Gardens (http://serenitygardensbandb.com/. The place, the food and most of all our hosts couldn't have been nicer. Then the trip up the Merced river valley gave some of the best images of the trip because the redbud was in bloom. Yosemite itself was amazing. I particularly liked the frozen mist on the rocks by the waterfalls and the vernal pools in the meadows. The waterfalls were full, the air cool but the sun warm. I ran from place to place in the valley taking photos from first light to last. I hope you enjoy them.

Yosemite

I always wanted to see Yosemite Valley in the early Spring. It exceed ...

Updated: Mar 22, 2012 9:10pm PST

Sequoia : There is only one place in the world, at one time of year, that you can see dogwoods blooming next to giant sequoia redwoods. I had to go. The image I visualized was there waiting but there was so much more. From the town of Three Rivers and Keawah (with it's tiny Post Office and dinosaur sculptures in a field), up the winding road into Sequoia, there was so much to see before we ever got into the park. The road up to from Three Rivers passes an old Potwisha (Native American) settlement with a ceremonial place of healing called Hospital Rock. The winds quickly up the mountains through a number of ecosystems. The wildflowers were amazing. Most prominent was the California Buckeye (Aesculus californica) but perhaps the highlight of the trip was finding a Mariposa Lily. Another surprise was our walk through Crescent Meadow to Tharp's Log. I had hoped to photograph wildflowers in the meadow but instead got a bear! We found our wildflowers very near the parking lot at a place called Beetle Rock. Amazing!

Sequoia

There is only one place in the world, at one time of year, that you ca ...

Updated: Jul 08, 2011 9:15pm PST

Gallery Categories

Landscapes : 11 galleries with 306 photos

Landscapes

Gardens : 3 galleries with 56 photos

Gardens

3 galleries with 56 photos

Updated: Mar 22, 2012 9:25pm PDT

Other : 1 gallery with 12 photos

Other

1 gallery with 12 photos

Updated: Oct 07, 2011 8:12pm PDT

NIghtscapes : 1 gallery with 9 photos

NIghtscapes

1 gallery with 9 photos

Updated: Mar 21, 2013 6:47am PDT