Pacifica

Beautiful California Coast

Capturing the changing mood over the ocean as night falls.

A salute to my friends and readers:  I have been traveling in the North, Alaska and Canada, quite extensively during the summer and my blog has been quiet.  I want to thank you for your continued interest, and your supportive feedback.  While I brought back many images, coming back from travel I always look forward to revisiting my favorite places here in California:  the mountains with Lake Tahoe and Yosemite Park, the coast with its rugged cliffs and beautiful sunsets.  During the summer the coast is often shrouded in the marine layer fog, so when the evenings are clear and the stars come out, it can be special.  I was hoping for those special clear nights as I went to Pacifica and its old pier several evenings – alas, it did not happen but even with clouds  and mighty winds, these trips were worthwhile and I want to share the images with you.

Pacifica is a small coastal community a bit south of San Francisco.  The ocean front is a State Beach and is graced by an old pier where the local fishermen cast their fishing poles to catch the evening dinner.  The southern end of the beach butts against a rocky outcrop so typical for he California coastline.

Late afternoon along the beach, you will find many people walking their dogs on the coastal trail where windswept trees adapted to the fierce winter storms reaching away from the water and stretching their limbs to the calmer meadows in the adjacent marsh land.

At the southern end of the beach are remnants of an old hotel where fishermen found refuge from storms a century ago.  Now, only a few walls are still standing graced with colorful graffiti.

As sunset nears, I hustle back to the pier to see the sun dipping beyond the horizon and it appears that for a moment the world is at peace.  The dog walkers stop and join me in gazing out to the ocean, with their dogs sit quietly at their feet as the ocean waves sing their eternal song.

Each trip to the pier offers different moods, different light, different clouds in the sky.  Flocks of birds appear out of nowhere on their way to their nesting ground.  

As the light drops it is quiet here on the pier.  Pacifica is a small coastal community and people I have talked to like their sleepy town.

After sunset, the hazy ‘marine layer’ or fog often creeps from the west often covering the town in a misty shroud. 

At other times, angry clouds roll in, and the sky colors in the afterglow of the disappearing light.

As night falls, the lights on the pier reflect on the waves below. The fishermen take their catch home, and the waterfront soon will be deserted.

The occasional walker often wonders why I am still here with my camera on the tripod and I welcome their stopping by and wondering what I am still capturing with the light gone.   I invite them to see the images appearing the back of my camera.  

Each evening on the pier is unique and I never tire of capturing the different mood over the Pacific Ocean.

Although I came for starry nights, I am happy to capture the ever changing clouds and moods offered by the ever changing ocean and sky.

Til next time,

Meggi

"Seeing Tahoe" Photo Workshop in May 2013

“Seeing Tahoe” Photography Workshop

First weekend in May, five great photographers joined me and my co-leader Jon Paul from the Jon Paul Gallery, for a Photo Workshop “Seeing Tahoe” in South Lake Tahoe.  Spring is a beautiful time with nature reviving and aspens clothed in very faint new green.  In the higher elevations, winter was still full in swing and not surprisingly, on the last morning we woke up to light snow fall even at lake level.  The weekend was jam-packed with activities starting on Friday late afternoon with a gallery visit at the Jon Paul Gallery to get inspired by Jon Paul’s beautiful images exhibited there.  Jon guided us and answered questions, and we plunged into an animated discussion on a variety of topics from how to shoot a great landscape to post-processing our digital files.

Over dinner in town, we got to know each other and shared our experiences and preferences in our photographic work.  Driving back to our accommodations, the sun was just setting and some of us rushed out to the beach to capture the blue hour over the calm water.

Knowing that sunrise and sunset offer the best light for landscape photography, we left both days for the shooting locations way before the sun rose when it was still pitch-dark – leaving the house before 4:30am is not for the faint of heart!   Headlamps ready, on the first morning we walked about 20 minutes to our location while on the second day, tripods went up in the dark right outside the cars.  As the light came up, we were rewarded with beautiful scenes from the grand landscape to the intimate close-ups of nature renewing itself.  In the quiet morning as the birds began to sing, the clicking of cameras was the only man-made sound.  We tiptoed through frozen grass marveling at the beautiful patterns of leaves and grasses backlit by the raising sun.  We captured the still snow-covered mountain reflection in the water moving out tripods and cameras around for the best angle.

Chris capturing water reflections

Beth, Alice and Jon

Since it was too early in the year for the spring flowers in the meadows, we practiced what I call ‘creative photography’ by experimenting with panning and zooming while the camera is open. The collective creative energy was inspiring and we learned from each others examples.

We finally made it back to town by about 11am for a hardy breakfast at Red Hut Café – well deserved and hungry.

After a bit of downtime with downloading and a short rest, we were on our way up the Eastern Shore of the Lake by 2:30p and stopped at many locations even as a drizzly rain started to make things a wet affair.  Pulling out raingear most important for our camera gear, the new growth of snow flowers, grasses and brush around the beaver  pond offered intimate close-ups as the drops rippled the surface of the pond.  Mr. and Mrs. beaver nowhere to be seen except for the effects of building a dam and creating this beautiful oasis.

Exotic snow flower - 

we learned that this is a fungus raising its beautiful head.

Raindrops are falling on my head....

Alice, Dan and Jon taking in the scene and talking about how to photograph in the rain.

Chris lost in the landscape

Alice, all bundled up to stay dry.

 Dan with great camera rain gear.

Chris having fun even when it rained.

Dan and Alice during a quick stop along the way.... using their cell phones to capture the scene.

We found a gorgeous spot for sunset and the clouds added interest to our images.

Thank you, Jon Paul, for your insight and gentle teaching.  It was great spending the day with you!!

The next day – very early morning again – found us out at the iconic spot overlooking Emerald Lake.  Clouds partially obscured the setting moon and we marveled at the scene as the light came up. 

Early Morning at Emerald Bay

As the sun made its way over the clouds, we photographed the creek with its waters from the snow-melt rushing over the boulders.

Chris zooming in ...

Alice and Beth in Hope Valley along the Carson River

Don't disregard comfort while shooting!

Sun, rain and clouds persisted throughout the day as we drove over Luther Pass into Hope Valley and ended another full day of images and learning with a great dinner at Sorenson’s Resort.  

Probably to all of our surprises – although I have experienced snow even later in May in Tahoe – we woke

up to snow on Monday morning with Echo pass having chain requirements that persisted to the time of departure.  So the northern route through Incline and Highway 80 seemed to be the better bet to meet the return timelines.  Although several inches of snow had fallen over night, the ground was already warm enough for only leaving wet slush – so everyone safely drove home.

I stayed a bit longer capturing this misty scene as the snow turned into rain.

Misty light over the Tahoe

Reflecting on the weekend, I am always grateful when my workshops participants are so inspired and inspiring.  Helping those who are newer to photography learn some new ways to see the scene in front of us, mastering their gear better and becoming more comfortable is rewarding to see.  Having an experienced photographer capturing landscape practically in the dark of the pre-dawn and noticing that the camera can ‘see more’ than our eyes through cumulative light capture is thrilling.  Sharing creative ideas of capturing images even when the light is not optimal or just ‘playing’ with the camera not knowing whether panning will yield any interesting image, always inspires me.  We can all learn from each other and the workshop setting is ideal to experience this. 

Thank you to all of my participants and to my co-leader Jon Paul for a wonderful weekend, great camaraderie, and beautiful images and memories to take home.

Reaching up among the Giants

Til next time,

Meggi

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Please check out my next Lake Tahoe Photography Workshops In October:  

"Tahoe in Fall Colors" 

on my Photo Workshop page.

in combination with a Wildlife Photo Workshop in the desert beyond Reno:

Cheetahs - at 60 miles per hour

Majestic and unforgettable - the best opportunity outside Africa!

Registration deadline for both Photo Workshops is September 1, 2013.

Full Moon over the Baylands

Another full moon - actually a day after the full moon on June 3 - and I had to go out and see what I could capture.  The day had been stormy, a late rain blew over the Bay Area with dark clouds and I was doubtful whether it would clear for the evening.  At sunset the clouds were still menacing and the wind made it a cold evening.

Sunset at the Baylands

But as is so typical, after night fall it calmed and the sky cleared.  Prior to the moon rising, the bright light in the sky wasn't the moon, but the approach of an airplane gliding over the bay towards San Francisco.  The night lights from San Jose were reflected in the clouds above.

Finally my patience was rewarded and the moon made its way over the clouds.

Reflection of the night sky in the water ways of the Baylands

I love being out there in the evening with only the sound of the birds settling for the night and the stars above.  Even in our crowded Silicon Valley there are places near by for meditation and silence.

Til next time,

Meggi

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Photography Opportunities:

Did you ever want to see cheetahs run at full speed at 60 miles per hour?  This is a great opportunity right here in California.  Combined with the colorful Balloon Festival in Reno --a perfect photo opportunity is set.  Date: September 7-10, 2012

Travel TidBits: California Coast

It’s January 1 and the promise of a new year lies ahead like an open book with blank pages that needs to be filled with new adventures.

For now, I am spending another day along the California coast driving south on Highway 1 and stopping at Moss Landing to search for otters and finding all kind of beach activities on this beautiful crisp winter day.

Although most of the otters are floating further out, one is napping close by.  And patience is rewarded as he opens his eyes and is looking right at me.

On the beach, the early morning wind and waves attracted the surfers who are enjoying the brisk wave action leaving fleeting footprints in the sand.

Out of the water, these guys are enjoying a good barbecue.

The midday sun is warm and inviting, and it appears that everybody in Pacific Grove is at the water front strolling, talking, walking the dog or just enjoying the first day of the year outside.  Even the birds and bees!

And onwards, as my goal was to see McWay Falls in Pfeiffer State Park further south along the Highway 1.  I had driven this part just last week, but today it seemed to be crowded everywhere I turned.  People were stopping at each Vista Point, and hiking in the hills above the ocean.  

The sun was setting as I shouldered my tripod and camera to catch the setting sun over the little cove where McWay Falls empties right onto the beach below.  

It’s a gorgeous spot and a beautiful sight!!  Turning around, the coast seemed to be glowing in the red setting sun.

Into sunset and beyond, the light kept changing and as darkness fell, I headed north again on my way home.

Winter is the best time to experience the coast without the fog - so go out and enjoy what California has to offer.

Til next time, 

Meggi

¶To explore the coast further south and see the elephant seal rookery, check out the Photo Workshop in San Simeon on January 21/22, 2012.  Spaces still available.