Sunset From Circle X Ranch - Santa Monica Mountains, CA

Sunset From Circle X Ranch – Santa Monica Mountains, CA

There is this really cool place in the Santa Monica Mountains called the Circle X Ranch. Picture this !, drive straight up the mountains on one of these skinny, violently twisting roads, to the Sandstone Peak Trailhead parking lot near the Peak. Walk on to the backbone trail: http://www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/circlexranch.htm

This hike goes 1.1 miles up to this Rocky peak called inspiration point. This day we did not make it there due to the timing of Sunset. This shot is about a quarter of the way up the Trail. This photograph was taken about 10 minutes before Sunset. The sun blasted thru a few cracks in the clouds, then was gone for the night…

We also heard the local Mountain Lion nearby just before we left the trail. Maybe she was saying goodnight. Here is the Mountain Lion calling US to come back…

Looking forward to retuning soon if the weather and clouds are just right like tonight. This is also my first High Dynamic Range Photograph (HDR Photography). I intend to focus a lot on this new exciting realm of Photography.

Photograph Taken on: 1-21-08 7:53PM
Model:Nikon D80  Shutter Speed: 1/2 Second  F-Stop:f11  ISO:100
Focal length: 18mm  Lens: Nikon 18-200mm  VR

Yosemite Falls with Rainbow in Winter, Yosemite National Park, CA

I love Waterfalls !!! Any size, any place, Mother natures or Man made, they all offer a special fascination to me. I had the opportunity to hang in Yosemite over the weekend. So, I climbed the rocks to the base of the Lower Yosemite Falls (320 feet tall). When I arrived at the pool at the base of the Fall, I saw this rainbow…

I chilled there enjoying the cool mist and the scenery. I’ll post the shot from the base of the falls looking towards the observation bridge, Half-Dome and the meadows, Tomorrow…

Photograph Taken on: 1-12-08 2:25PM  Aperture Mode
Model:Nikon D80  Shutter Speed: 1/15 Second  F-Stop:f11  ISO:400
Focal length: 18mm  Lens: Tamron 11-18mm

Chumash Rock Paintings, Very Elaborate and Colorful circa 1677, Santa Barbara, CA

The Chumash Indians created many cave paintings to explain their World, most locations are kept secret due to their religious importance. Only one is open to the public and it’s Right here in Santa Barbara. So, we were off to the top of the Mountain to a road appropriately named Painted Cave Rd.  Here’s the Map:
http://www.sbnature.org/research/anthro/chumash/pcart.htm

The Chumash being in tune with nature like all of the Native peoples of the Americas. Witnessed, what must of been a momentous occasion a Solar eclipse on November 24th, 1677. This cave commemorates that event.

These pictures are also my first time using ISO 3200 speed. The caves were very dark and I cranked up the film speed to keep exposure times to a minimum.

Here is the Chumash tribes site on the Santa Barbara Museum’s Natural History site:
http://www.sbnature.org/research/anthro/chumash/intro.htm

Top Photo Taken on: 12-10-07 3:32PM
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed: 10 seconds Second F-Stop: f16  ISO: 3200
Focal length: 18mm Lens: Tamron 11-18mm Wide angle

Bottom Photo Taken on: 12-10-07 3:30PM
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed: 10 seconds Second F-Stop: f16 ISO: 3200
Focal length: 32mm Lens: Nikon 18-200mm VR

Century Lake and Dam, Malibu Creek State Park, CA

Century Lake and Dam, Malibu Creek State Park, CA

The Century Lake once known as Craig’s lake after the Craig’s Country club owned by 100 or so Los Angeles Business Dammed the Malibu Creek in 1901. They made a lake for sailing, fishing and duck-hunting. They planted a grove of redwoods, which still stands. Photo’s to follow.

The property was purchased by 20th Century Fox for a remote studios in 1947 and has been the backdrop for many a famous Movie when they needed a remote place to simulate a faraway place. M*A*S*H was filmed very close to Here, near the “Rock Pool”.
Photo’s to follow.

The original Country club is but some stone foundations and the lake is now surrounded by Reeds and many hiking trails. It’s a great place to relax on the weekends, and very fun to photograph…
Here is a shot of the Dam…

Century Lake Dam, Malibu Creek State Park, CA

Here is Official Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=614
Map of Park: http://www.venturacountytrails.org/TrailMaps/MalibuCreek/AreaTrails.htm

Top Photograph Taken on: 12-08-07 6:58PM
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed:1/40th Second F-Stop:f4.5 ISO:400
Focal length:11mm  Lens:Tamron 11 – 18mm

Bottom Photograph Taken on: 12-08-07 6:57PM
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed:1/100th Second F-Stop:f5 ISO:400
Focal length:11mm  Lens:Tamron 11 – 18mm

Rock Pool, Malibu Creek State park, Santa Monica Mountains, CA

The Rock Pool has been a backdrop and featured in so many films, I will refer you too this great web page with a brief history of the Area.
http://www.venturacountytrails.org/News/0168-MalibuCreekStParkHistory/NewsPage.htm

The Rock Pool was also a famous “Hollywood” Skinny dipping spot back in the day. Picture this Crystal Clear Water, Beautiful Surroundings, rich history, All the Famous people have hung here, Many a famous Movie was filmed here, Shear Volcanic Rock Cliffs with which to Leap Off for that perfect Dive. Yeah…

Right now the Fall colors are here, So…
I Climbed the “Planet of the Apes” Rock Wall and took this shot.

Photograph Taken on: 12-08-07 3:30PM
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed:1/50th Second F-Stop:f11 ISO:400
Focal length:14mm Lens:Tamron 11 – 18mm

The Mott Adobe Ruins, Fireplace, Malibu Creek State Park

The Malibu Creek State Park has a wide and Varied History. It’s abundant water, Wildlife and Forests make it a great place to live in the relativity dry California landscape. The Native Chumash Thrived here for Millennia. In the Early 1900′s part of the present day park was purchased by a group of wealthy businessmen who built Crags Country Club. Many of these Country club members built Homes here.

Johnny Mott a famous LA attorney built his Adobe here along Malibu Creek in 1911. Here he often played host to his good friend and travel companion, President Herbert Hoover. The Mott adobe was also used in the Movie “Viva Zapata!”  released in 1952, starring Marlon Brando. Here is a map of Area:
http://www.venturacountytrails.org/TrailMaps/MalibuCreek/AreaHome.html

Over the years it has fallen into disrepair and only a small part of one wall and the fireplace remain. Around the fireplace you can see stone flooring and remains of the brick mortar foundation.

On the day we were there, the sun broke thru the clouds and gave the remains an eerie glow…

Photograph Taken on: 12-08-07 2:01PM
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed:1/30th Second F-Stop:f11 ISO:400
Focal length:11mm Lens: Tamron 11 – 18mm Wide Angle

Lone Pine Tree – Lake Tahoe National Forest, NV

I ‘m here in Lake Tahoe for a few days on my way to Santa Barbara. I visited my favorite lone pine tree for a few mid day photographs. No snow here. Even at altitude in the mountains, it looks strange here with out white caps. The lake is also down about 5 feet or so, since my last visit in March this year. I guess every where in the good ol USA is hurting for water.

Today the clouds were outrageous here in Lake Tahoe, very moody, the blues were deep and the water crystal clear as always. I squeezed off a few then headed to the Desolate Wilderness to check out Eagle Falls in the Moonlight. Photographs to follow if any come out.

Date Taken: 11-24-07 1:03PM
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed: Aperture Priority F-Stop:f11 ISO:100
Focal length: 18mm Lens: Tamron 11-18mm

Fiery Sunset, Mount Baldy, The Sun Valley, ID

What a great sunset tonight in Sun Valley, ID. Since arriving I have been hoping for a great sunset here. Living in Florida, I guess we are used to them. Living in the mountains it’s more hit and miss.

This Sunset tonight almost looked like the Forest on the other side was on Fire. The intense glow, the clouds, The golden cast it placed on everything, WOW!. My Favorite Sunset since arriving here.

This shot from Dollar Road near city hall in Sun Valley is looking west towards Mount Baldy, the main Ski Area in Ketchum.

Official Sun Valley, Idaho Web Site:
http://www.sunvalley.com/SunValley/Index.aspx

Date Taken: 11-18-07  5:13PM Sunset
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed: 1/5 F-Stop:f5.6 ISO:100
Focal length: 18mm Lens: Tamron 11-18mm

Click on Image to view full size image:

Sunset by the Dunes – Florida’s Forgotten Coast

Florida’s Dunes, Very beautiful, Picturesque, Mystical, and are just plain fun to be around. They are a Perfect and completely natural way for protecting Florida’s coasts from erosion and the tropical storm season. We need to restore and protect all of them.

While meandering along Florida’s Forgotten Coast we came across these awesome dunes at The Mexico City Beach, FL.

This weekend, a storm front had just passed before Sunset. In this panoramic photo you can see the front, to the left of the Sun. The clouds were of the billowy, stringy, Brightly colored variety. The Sea oats were waffling back and forth in the Breeze. Perfect for a relaxing sunset with mother nature. This particular night also had an eclipse of the Moon.

So we sat back in awe of the Dunes and Sunset, Then we turned around and watched the eclipse of the Moon from in front of the dunes…

Top Photo of Dunes : Date Taken: 03-02-07 Sunset
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed:N/A F-Stop:f5.6 ISO:125
Focal length:11mm Lens:Tamron 11-18 Wide Angle

Bottom Photo of Moon : Date Taken: 03-02-07 Moonlight
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed: 1/10s F-Stop:f11 ISO:100
Focal length:200mm Lens: Nikon 18-200mm Wide Angle

The Mexico City Beach web site, a great place to visit:
http://www.mexicobeach.com/cdc/

You can read my first Dunes Story and Photograph here:
http://www.awesomephotographyblog.com/travel/dunes-lone-survivor-floridas-forgotten-coast/

This Photographer at Half Dome -  admiring the Awesomeness of the view during the Fog – Yosemite National Park, CA

It was Ansel Adams who first inspired the world to see Half-Dome and Visit Yosemite. We have all looked at his famous Photographs of this place. If you have never been to Yosemite, you truly cannot grasp the unfathomable beauty and Awesomeness of this place. No matter how many photographs you have seen.

There is one thing that is an Absolute. Yosemite is unique in all the world, Just like America the Beautiful. Both, places like no other. We are fortunate to live in this great land were our ancestors had the foresight to save such a place for all of posterity and to those who have served in our Armed Forces, who fought, so we all can enjoy such a place in Freedom. A place all of humanity can enjoy.

On this Veterans day, We thank all of those who have sacrificed for our Great Nation. To all who serve or have served our great nation, Thank You…

This Photograph is for You!

This Photograph Courtesy of Ann Ogden. Northwest, NJ

Date Taken: 10-02-06 12:25PM High Noon dense fog
Model:Nikon D50 Shutter Speed:Aperture Mode F-Stop:f10.0 ISO:200
Focal length:55mm Lens:Nikon 55-200mm