Gulls, Pacific Grove Shoreline, Monterey Bay. Pacific Grove, California. January 1, 2010. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.
Hundreds of gulls line the rocks of the Pacific Grove shoreline with the waters of Monterey Bay beyond.
I was tempted to call this “Lotsa’ Gulls,” but I’ll stick to my more typical descriptive naming scheme. As we drove along the coastline near Pacific Grove we came to one particular section where hundreds or perhaps thousands of gulls were perched all along the shoreline rocks. As soon as any would start to leave, another huge flock would arrive from somewhere else to take their place. I had not seen so many clustered together in such a small area right on the shoreline before.
The shot looks back into Monterey and towards the large dunes that ring in near the town of Monterey. Beyond are the hills at the lower end of the Salinas River Valley, just barely starting their annual transition from tan to greener-than-you-can-believe. One rather unique feature of this part of California is that, unlike colder states, the greenest season starts in the middle of winter, especially in rainy years like this one, and extends into about late April or so. One of the oddest juxtapositions, and we saw it later this day while driving back to the Santa Clara Valley, contains the last brown or yellow leaves of fall on trees standing above the new green grasses.
This photograph is not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.
G Dan Mitchell Photography
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Thanks for noticing those hills, Chris. After finding the location itself, the next question I resolved was how to position the tallest rocks relative to that higher peak – the one with a bit of light on its summit. I also liked the idea of including a bit more of the surroundings in this photograph rather than just focusing on the immediate subject.
Birds? Are there birds in the photo? ;-)
Dan
I love how clear the mountains are in the background. I’ve always felt that those hills rising up around the Monterey Bay really make the experience. Naturally the rocks and tide pools are very beautiful as well but the way you captured the mountains as well is really what brings back my fond memories of the coast around Pacific Grove.
Right now is such a great time to be photographing the mountains as they transition from gold to green.
I think I see some birds in this photo too. Quite nice.
Greens, whites and faded colors in the background–this frame is alive and vibrant!
Thanks, Joshua. Those greens really caught our attention when we drove by, almost as much as the birds themselves.
Yeah, Whole Lota Gulls. I went by there the other day I was actually pleased that my area for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count covered the interior of Pacific Grove. Otherwise, I would still be out there counting.
I don’t see how it would even be possible to count the moving mass of birds that I saw. Not only were there so many of them, but all of a sudden 100 or so would fly up and leave as another flock would arrive.