Elk on the Meadow

Tule Elk -- San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II, 1/2000s, f/5.6, ISO: 640

This is as close as I ever got to the elk on Sunday.  I only saw three, these are two of them.  The rest must have been tucked into the central part of the refuge.  I like this picture, though.  The yellows and greens are nice and I like how the elk stand out.

Hayfever Central

San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, CA

I think this kind of scenario is beautiful.  I suspect there are some who might look on a photo like this and start sneezing by reflex.  When I first moved to San Francisco I suffered greatly from allergies for a few years.  For whatever reason, that stopped almost as quickly as it started.  I haven't had any issues at all for probably fifteen years.  Weird.

Swainson's Hawk

Swainson's Hawk -- San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II, 1/1600s, f/5.6, ISO: 200

I saw at least two swainson's hawks this weekend that I was able to identify.  I also saw one or two others that I wasn't sure about other than I knew they weren't red-tailed hawks or harriers.  The two I was sure about were a couple of hundred feet apart on the tall elk fenceposts.  I imagine they're probably wrapping up their long migration from Argentina.  What a haul.

Western Kingbird

Western Kingbird -- Merced National Wildlife Refuge, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II, 1/2000s, f/5.6, ISO: 100

Not the sharpest of photos, but I like the colors in the background and how the bird stands out against it, so this one's a keeper for me.

I took this yesterday at Merced National Wildlife Refuge.  Most of the aquatic birds have left for their summer home, leaving the refuge to the swallows and kingbirds and owls.  That's not quite fair, I think one could tick off almost as many different species this time of year as in the middle of winter, they're just a different set of birds.  These birds just aren't out in the staggering numbers as the inhabitants from a couple of months ago.

Grumpy Duck

Greater Scaup -- Arrowhead Marsh, Oakland, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II, 1/1600s, f/5.6, ISO: 640

Ducks can look so cranky from certain angles.

Central Valley Wetlands

San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II, 1/1250s. f/5, ISO: 160

I really like pictures like this of San Luis.  Reeds.  Swans.  Winter trees.  It's not particularly sharp--this lens rarely is--but I like these kinds of scenes, and the San Luis refuge is full of 'em in winter.  This is one of Pongo's favorite day trips.  We drive along the auto tour and he hangs out the passenger window and watches the large birds.  Sometimes we see rabbits and deer, those are his favorites.

Selection inspired by Geogypsy's Foto Friday Fun 108, photo #232.

Brush Rabbit

Brush Rabbit -- Arrowhead Marsh, Oakland, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II, 1/2000s, f/5.6, ISO: 400

Cute little guy, isn't he?  Gal?  Brush rabbits and jackrabbits thrive at Arrowhead Marsh.  I've heard rumors of people hunting them here at night and even had the impression that their presence had been greatly reduced for a while, but if that was actually the case they've rebounded with a vengeance.  I think they're fun to watch so I don't mind.

Salinas River

Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM, 1/100s, f/9, ISO: 100

I saw a river otter at this spot last month.  It's the only river otter I've ever seen in the wild.  He was floating in the river just off shore, maybe twenty feet away from me.  He disappeared under the water before I could take a picture.  Jerk.  I saw sea otters on that day as well, so that was kind of cool.

This picture is kind of funny to me.  Not "ha ha" funny, I just can't quite pin down whether I like it or not.  I thought it was kind of dull when I first processed it but kept it anyway.  Later it came up as my computer's wallpaper and I really liked it (that's how a lot of photos end up here on the blog).  It's gone back to dull for me.

Down to the River We'd Ride

Elwha River, Olympic National Park, WA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM, 1/40s, f/6.3, ISO: 100

I posted a photo a few days ago if the Elwha River emerging from a canyon a couple of miles or so from the place where a dam had been removed a couple of years ago.  The river was running gray in the photo,  laden with silt that had backed up over the years behind the dam.  This photo was taken just above where the dam had been.  As you can see, there's still a lot of earth to be removed by the river.  Eventually this view will disappear as the trees return to the riverbanks.

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach, San Francisco, CA
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS

Well, I was planning on heading out to the beach this weekend but ended up working on cleaning the garage instead.  That trade off didn't work out so well.  I've still got a weekend or two to go on it.  This picture was taken a couple of years ago when I took Pongo to Golden Gate Park for the first time.  I like how the Marin Headlands look like a painted background in this picture.

Muir Woods

Muir Woods National Monument, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM, 1/5s, f/4, ISO: 100

I suspect that 150 years ago there wasn't anything all that special with Muir woods.  Today, with only five percent of California's old growth redwood forest intact, its presence has taken on meaning.  It's one of the few places South of Mendocino County where these old redwoods--the tallest and formerly the largest trees in the world--can be seen in their own pristine glory.  Muir Woods is a place of beauty and introspection, a place where we can understand the cost of our modern lifestyles.

Mosaic Canyon

Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley National Park, CA
Canon PowerShot SD770 IS

I've posted a few pictures from Mosaic Canyon over the last week.  That's mostly by coincidence.  Not entirely, though.  After all, this is one of my favorite places to take a hike and it lends itself well to photography.  Death Valley is one of the few places I know of where one can be out in the wilderness and not see another living thing--not even a blade of grass--in all directions as far as can be seen.  That might sound like something awful but it's just the opposite.

Selection inspired by Geogypsy's Foto Friday Fun 107, photo #2607.

Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon State Park, CA
Canon PowerShot SD770 IS

Yep, California has it all, even its own red rock cliffs,  I'll grant you they're a lot smaller than the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, but you can still check it off on the list of natural wonders for the state.

Red Rock Canyon is a couple of hours Southwest of Death Valley.  It has a nice campground I've never stayed at.  In fact, I've never spent more than a couple of hours there.  It's a regular stop for me on my way to Death Valley.  Gary Cooper's Man of the West was shot here, for what it's worth.  Pretty good Western if you ask me, but I do like those old cowboy movies.

The Muddy Elwha

Elwha River, Olympic National Park, WA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM, 1/30s, f/5.6, ISO: 400

The waters of the Elwha River run gray these days.  It's not merely a reflection of an overcast sky, the water is full of silt that built up behind a dam that was removed a couple of years ago.  I love the fact that dams are starting to disappear in the NorthWest.  I've heard they're considering removing the dams on the Klamath River as well.  I hope that happens. It's nice to think that at least some of the damage we've done to the environment can be undone.

Pinnacles' Pinnacles

Pinnacles National Park, CA

Canon EOS Rebel T5i,  EF 17-40mm f/4L USM, 1/125s, f/8, ISO: 100

I'm always trying to get a good shot from this spot.  Pongo and I usually make a stop at the riverbed and I take a few photos and I'm never really satisfied with the results.  This is the best I've ever been able to pull off.  Mornings are best.

Bean Hollow

Bean Hollow State Beach, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, 1/80s, f/9, ISO: 100

I took this photo on a drive between San Francisco and Santa Cruz a few months ago.  Bean Hollow is a nice little beach with a lot of rocks that I imagine make for nice tidepooling.  I didn't get a chance on this particular trip.  Hmmm.  Gives me an idea for what to do this weekend.

Solitude

Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley National Park, CA
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS

Death Valley is quiet.  It's not silent.  When the wind blows hard, it makes a lot of noise, but it's like white noise.  Wind may make noise through the trees, but it also makes noise when there's nothing to blow through.  I've been there when the wind was blowing sixty miles an hour and I've been there when there was no wind to speak of, and if you need to get away and find yourself Death Valley is as good a place to go as any in either scenario.  The difference between quiet and silent is easily understood there.  It's the same kind of difference as being alone and being lonely.

Marble Walls

Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley National Park, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, 1/125s, f/11, ISO: 100

A better picture of the marble walls of the Mosaic Canyon's slot section seemed to be in order after yesterday's muddled photo.  This is an easy and rewarding hike that should not be missed.

Canyon Walls

Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley National Park, CA
Canon PowerShot SD 770 IS

You want a slot canyon?  You want it made out of what?  Sandstone?  Hell no!  This is Death Valley, Baby,  Death Valley uses marble polished smooth by the gravel and grit in the flash floods that have carved the canyon.  That's just how Death Valley rolls.

Mosaic Canyon is one of my favorite places in the world.  Hiking up the slot canyon is a nice, easy hike with a couple of minor scrambles.  It eventually opens up into a wide, colorful canyon with a number of areas for exploration.  This photo was taken from just below the mouth of the slot canyon.  I have no idea what I was actually trying to capture with this photo.  It's kind of a mess.

Photo selection inspired by Geogypsy's Foto Friday Fun 106, photo #2694,

The Point of the Point

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, CA
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS. 1/640s. f/4. ISO: 100

I like the action in the water in this picture.  The light could be better on the water, but it looks pretty good on the cliff rocks.  Not perfect, but it works for me.

This picture was taken on the North-Western tip of Point Lobos, the point of the Point.  If you have the opportunity, hike the entire reserve.  It's only about a six mile loop and it's loaded with views like this.

Haystack Rock

Haystack Rock, Pacific City, OR
Camom PowerShot SX40 HS, 1/400s, f/4, ISO: 100

I dunno, I kind of like this shot.  Blogger is toning it automatically by adding more contrast and saturation.  It'a unfortunate, it takes away a bit of the moodiness of the original.  Oh well, it is what it is.

This picture was taken in November.  There were more surfers in the water to the right of this photo.  It takes a special breed.  The surf wasn't even all that good on that day.

Elegant Tern

Elegant Tern -- Klamath River, Redwood National Park, CA

Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II, 1/2000s, f/5.6, ISO:400

Well, I never was able to identify this bird with a whole lot of confidence.  I still think it's an elegant tern.

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Canon Rebel T5i, 1/80s, f/9, ISO: 100

There's a few things I like about this photo.  It gives a nice idea about the steepness and height of the canyon walls.  The loose boulders on the cliff side hint at the decomposition of the cliff walls.  The trees show the tenacity of Mother Nature.

Bridalveil Fall

Yosemite National Park, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, 1/200s, f/10, ISO: 100

I haven't been to Yosemite in months.  I need to rectify that.

I shot this photo about a year ago from Tunnel View.  Can't really go wrong from there.  The waterfall is Bridalveil Fall.  It's 620 feet tall, a little guy by Yosemite's standards.  For folks familiar with the Pacific Northwest, It's basically the same height as Multnomah Falls.  Unlike many of Yosemite's waterfalls, this one runs year round.  It will be interesting to see if it can maintain through this summer, though, it's going to be a dry one.

Who's the Man?

Tule Elk -- Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS, 1/320s, f/5, ISO: 200

Like I said a couple of days ago, getting nice shots of elk at Point Reyes isn't too tough, all you've got to do is take a hike through the reserve with a camera.  This guy had a pretty big harem.  They were hanging out right next to the trail.

Anyway, I felt like I needed to post a nice photo after the last couple of not-so-interesting days.  So, there you go.

Double-crested Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i. EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II. 1/1600s, f/5.6, ISO: 1250

Truthfully, this is not a picture I'd have kept today.  However, I was kind of excited about it when I took it because it's an in-focus photo of a bird in flight, which was something that was difficult to achieve with my smaller cameras.  This was one of the first shots I took with the T5i--the 71st to be exact--and I was amazed to find how much easier it was to track a bird and fire off a burst of photos.  I haven't looked back since.

Photo selection inspired by Geogypsy's Foto Friday Fun 105, photo #0071.

Tule Elk

Tule Elk -- Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II, 1/2000s, f/5.6, ISO: 640

I've been debating whether or not this picture was worth posting.  It's from pretty far away and better photos of elk aren't too tough to come by at Point Reyes.  These guys were in an area I've never seen them, perhaps twenty miles from the actual elk reserve.  I know the dairy farmers aren't too crazy about the elk wandering off the reserve, bur I didn't realize just how far they wander.  The context of the photo is interesting, anyway.

South Beach

South Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i,  EF 17-40mm f/4L USM, 1/100s, f/10, ISO: 100

OK, this is the last ocean picture for a while, I promise.