Tag Archives: seascape

Cypress Forest and Trail with Steps

Cypress Forest and Trail with Steps
Cypress Forest and Trai l with Steps. Point Lobos State Reserve, California. August 24, 2008. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Stairway on a trail through Monterey cypress forest at Point Lobos State Reserve, California.

I went to the Monterey Peninsula on Sunday with a vague plan to possibly shoot at Point Lobos, but to first see what I could find in Carmel Valley. I left a bit late because there was a thick bank of morning fog extending far inland, so I knew that the coast would be socked in. Arriving in Carmel Valley I headed up there to see what I could see – but soon noticed that the fog here was actually clearing out a short distance from the coast. Wanting to photograph the good light on the border between fog and sun as the fog cleared and thinking that this might occur earlier than I had expected, I headed to Point Lobos and started scouting locations in the cypress forest in the section of the park closest to Carmel. The good light looked like it was going to arrive – the fog began to thin and a few blue spots began to appear… but then the process reversed and I only saw a few moments of the light I hoped for. In any case, I did do a few shots in this area, including this one along a section of trail with a stone stairway that has long intrigued me.

keywords: cypress, tree, forest, trunk, branch, plants, trail, steps, path, ocean, bay, monterey, carmel, peninsula, point lobos, state, reserve, california, usa, landscape, seascape, travel, scenic, hike, rock, stock

Coast Highway – Big Sur

Coast Highway - Big Sur
Coast Highway – Big Sur. Big Sur Coast, California. July 21, 2008. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell.

Coast Highway (Highway 1) along the Big Sur Coastline of Central California. Photographed during a “photography drive” up this spectacular and rugged route from Southern California in late July.

keywords: afternoon, bay, beach, big sur, california, fog, Forest, landscape, nature, ocean, pacific ocean, Road, rock, sand, seascape, seashore, sky, summer, travel, usa, water, waves, black and white, stock, coast, highway, shore, shimmer, sun, light, mountains, rock

Cove and Rocky Beach, Big Sur Coastline

Cove and Rocky Beach
Cove and Rocky Beach. Big Sur Coast, California. July 21, 2008. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

A cove and rocky beach near the outlet of a silt-filled stream along the Big Sur coastline of California. Photographed during my late July photography trip up the Big Sur coastline via Highway One, the Coast Highway.

The interesting and unusual coloration in the water of the cove seems to come from silt in a nearby stream and/or a shallow underwater sand bar. (I’m not certain which, but I’m inclined toward the former.)

keywords: big sur, california, landscape, nature, ocean, pacific ocean, seascape, seashore, summer, travel, usa, water, waves, usa, sea, cove, beach, rock, headland, cliff, silt, haze, mountain, bay, island, stock

Bird Rocks, Sunset

Bird Rock, Sunset
Bird Rocks, Sunset. Point Lobos State Reserve, California. December 30, 2007. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Photographed on my last little photo expedition of 2007, an evening visit to Point Lobos on the Monterey Peninsula to shoot a winter sunset. (Note: this is not the actual “Bird Rock” which is located just a bit further south along the coast in the park.)

I suppose that going to Point Lobos to do photography is almost cheating, given the incredible density of subjects to be found in this small park – shoreline vistas, tide pools, forests, wildlife of all types. But sometimes I can’t resist, especially now that the park’s hours have been extended to allow visitors to stay a half hour after sunset. In my opinion this is the most beautiful time to be there.

keywords: point, lobos, state, reserve, park, california, usa, monterey, peninsula, carmel, pacific, ocean, sea, water, wave, swell, surf, spray, coast, shore, rock, island, bird, fly, flight, nature, landscape, seascape, stock