Monarch time on the Central Coast

MONARCH CLUSTER

We are so fortunate to have beautiful Monarch Butterflies overwinter here on the Central Coast. I recently discovered another cluster of them very high up in some pine trees near San Simeon Creek. They bunch close together at night for warmth and only begin to fly if the temperature rises above 55 degrees. With their wings folded they are hard to see and just look like a group of brownish leaves. But with the warmth of the day the butterflies begin to open their wings revealing their distinctive orange and black colors. Then one by one they take flight. It is glorious to see them flying against the blue of the sky. I never grow tired of this spectacle. It always makes my heart lift and soon my spirit  is flying with the butterflies. Let your spirit fly too.

Beautiful beginning to 2012

SWEET SURRENDER

At last I was in the right place at the right time to capture one of our glorious Central Coast sunsets. The evening started out cloudy and gray, but I'm glad I waited to see if there would be enough of a break on the Western horizon to let the sun shine through and light up the sky. About twenty minutes after the sun set a lovely glow illuminated the clouds. It was a joy to experience.

I have so much to be thankful for already this year. Getty Images saw my photography on my Flickr site and approached me to submit some of my photos to their stock agency. I did and now I have 11 images for sale with them. Woo Hoo!

Happy New Year - 2012

Sanderlings

Monarch caterpillar

Don and I took a short trip up the California coast to Pacific Grove for a few days after Christmas. There we found a flock of Sanderlings feeding on the beach. However, there were numerous people and dogs also sharing the beach. But I got the idea that perhaps this group of birds might be a bit more tolerant of our approach to photograph them. When they were disturbed, they took flight but only went a short distance before returning to the ocean's edge to feed again. One time after a dog had disturbed them, I was able to catch the flock in flight as they moved down the beach a bit. Even though the birds were fairly co-operative, I found photographing them to be very challenging.

Monarchs have returned to our back yard again this year to lay their eggs on our Milkweed plants. In my second photo I photographed a Monarch caterpillar resting on a Mildweed pod. I like the juxtaposition of the caterpillar representing new life and the Milkweed pod with it's seed 'parachutes' that represent the end of the life cycle. Or perhaps the Milkweed also represents the  possibility of new beginnings.

I wish you a joyous NEW YEAR. May your troubles fly quickly by. Remember that even in less than ideal situations there can be blessings. If you look you will find them. And may you always be open to the possibilities of new experiences. Be on the lookout for small graces that come your way. Every day is a gift. Carpe Diem. 

The difference a few minutes makes

Sunset at Morro Strand

These two shots were both taken at Morro Strand just minutes apart. I find watching how the light quickly changes facinating. The feeling each image creates is totally different - the golden sunset is warm and joyous, while the second shot is more reflective and has a poignant feeling to me. I like both renditions. I never tire of watching the sun set into the Pacific Ocean. 

May this Holiday Season bring you both Joy and a quiet sense of Peace.

Thanksgiving

LAST LIGHT at MORRO STRAND

I have so much to be thankful for every day. Living here on the Central Coast of California I am surrounded by amazing beauty and a plentitude of wildlife. I don't take any of it for granted. In life's lottery I have won the jackpot. I wish that each of you may find the same blessings and opportunities.

The other night when I took this photo I was hoping for one of those rosy, glowing sunsets. That didn't happen. But what I was given is equally wonderful - wispy clouds reflected in calm water and a golden mist just creeping in around the base of the Rock as the sun was setting.

Pelican take off

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit Elkhorn Slough in the Monterey Bay area. I was impressed with the variety and density of the wildlife there. On a 2 hour boat tour I saw large rafts of Sea Otters, Harbor Seals, more than 200 Sea Lions, beautiful orange jellyfish and numerous birds. There is a great advantage to being on the water when observing wildlife. They seem much more tolerant and approachable for photography. As we were cruising along I saw this California Brown Pelican standing on the bank. I focused on him and waited to see if he would take off. He did and I was able to take a nice sequence of shots of his lift off. I took a total of 11 shots. These three are my favorites.

First snow of the season

First snow along HWY 395

SNOW TRACKS

in Tuolumne Meadows

Yosemite

Both these shots were taken on my Eastern Sierra trip earlier this month. As I drove north on HWY 395 into the edge of the storm, I could see the snow beginning to fall onto the mountain across from Crowley Lake. As I watched the mountain was momentarily illuminated by a shaft of sun. OMG! When I saw this I raced to the first available pullout and jumped out to take this photo. I feel very lucky whenever I am given the gift of light like this. Sometimes I am in the right place at the right time.

By the time I made my return trip, the storm had long since moved on and I was able to drive home through Yosemite via Tioga Pass. Tuolumne Meadows had a nice blanket of snow and I couldn't resist stopping to take some pictures. I had already taken some shots when I found this set of tracks heading into the meadow. Yes! I wonder what animal made them? I like how they lead me into the scene and then just disappear. When I gaze at this photo I am back in the meadow again. I can almost feel the cold air and the joy I felt in that moment.