WHALE almost eating a PELICAN

Last week I heard that there were Humpback Whales feeding close to shore at Port San Luis located just a short way down the coast. My husband and a friend that was visiting us went with me to Avila to check out the action. I had seen some of the photos others had taken of this happening, but I was unprepared for just how awe inspiring it was to see this phenomenon in person. It was a feeding frenzy! The Whales were lunge feeding right next to the pier. The water was roiling with Pelicans, Gulls, Dolphin and packs of hunting Sea Lions. And there were kayakers, boaters and paddle boarders added into the mix. Humpback Whales are huge! And when this one lunged up with its mouth agape I started shooting. It wasn't until I was reviewing my photos a minute later that I realized that I had captured an amazing series of photos. This Pelican was in the mouth of the Whale! As the Whale started to close its mouth the Pelican did escape out to the left. Whew! If you look closely you can see all the tiny bait fish spilling out of the Whale's mouth too. Those are the ones that got away .... this time. I will never forget that day. It was the experience of a life time for me.

 

Coastal blessings

 BLESSING

MISTY WAVES

Last Friday I went with group of fellow photographers for an evening shoot on the bluffs of Montana de Oro State Park. It was my first time joining this MEETUP event hosted by LIGHT Workshops of Los Osos. When we arrived the sky was gray and ominous looking. I took the opportunity to try out my 10 stop vari neutral density filter to make some very long exposures. This creates an ethereal dreamy look to the waves breaking on the rocks. At the end of the evening I started to walk back slowly along the bluffs. I noticed a slight break in the clouds right above the horizon. I set up my tripod and waited to see what would happen. I am sure glad I did. For a brief 2 minutes or so the sun peeked out below the clouds and above the sea. Red gold light illuminated the wavetops and the rocks below. I was blessed. When I look at this image now, I can experience that moment again - the sound of the surf - the color of the light - the feeling of the sea air as it touches my face - and the exhilaration of the moment. I am grateful for it all.