Tag Archives: natue

Coastal Forest and Fog

Coastal Forest and Fog
Coastal forest and morning fog, Point Lobos State Reserve.

Coastal Forest and Fog. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

Coastal forest and morning fog, Point Lobos State Reserve.

When people imagine visiting the California coast, I’m pretty sure that most of them envision a beach, blue water, surf, clear skies, and abundant sun. That happens, in some locations more than others, but coastal fog is about as likely as that fantasy weather. It can be cold and damp and gray, but this California weather also has its charms — the sound of surf coming up through the fog, the chill air, the muted colors.

This photograph comes from a visit to a location south of Monterey on a very foggy morning. Most often the fog clears out early, but this time it stuck around all morning. (Though a short distance inland the sun was out.) I pointed the camera into a forest of fall trees, and the fog created a sense of atmospheric recession.


G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Surf #1

Surf #1
Abstract patterns of winter surf, Big Sur coast, California.

Surf #1. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

Abstract patterns of winter surf, Big Sur coast, California.

This photograph comes from a recent visit to the Monterey Peninsula and upper Big Sur Coast during a brief break in the recent string of atmospheric river storms in California. On one hand, it was quite something to see the aftermath of several weeks of heavy rains: landslides, fallen trees, closed parks, closed highway lanes, flooding, and more. But between two storms the light was a bit challenging — which had the virtue of persuading me to try a few things different than what I typically do.

This is one of the photographs in that category. I had been photographing along a section of the coast with high cliffs above the ocean (which, as Big Sur aficionados know, could be almost anywhere…) and dealing with lighting challenges and atmosphere thick with moisture. I looked down and was taken by the power of the waves. The area in the photograph was just at the break, so this power was expressed as constant motion as storm swells rolled in and some foam from nearby breaking waves streaked the water.


G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Twitter | Flickr | FacebookEmail

Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

Scroll down to leave a comment or question. (Click this post’s title first if you are viewing on the home page.)


All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.