Marc Muench Workshop's Catalina Island

dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
edited April 3, 2009 in Journeys
I realize it has been awhile since I wrote on my blog but with the broken ankle and a month of sick kids, I haven't taken many pictures of late. That changed since my highly anticipated trip to Catalina.

I had the great pleasure to join a fantastic group of photographers in a <a href="http://www.muenchphotography.com/">Marc Muench</a> Workshop that traveled in areas of Catalina that most of the public never sees. Jack Baldelli of the <a href="http://www.catalinaconservancy.org/">Catalina Conservancy</a> was our guide that was hands down just the coolest person to meet. His knowledge of the areas to photograph, the animals, plants, wild flowers and his best feature, his enthusiasm and passion for the Island was exciting and invigorating.

Even though I felt like I was losing a lung from coughing so much, yes I was a little sick on the trip, I wouldn't have missed a minute of this adventure. We got up at 4:30 am most mornings and got to sleep by 10pm. We rode in a open air jeep over extreme steep terrain I wouldn't even walk on. Four Wheel roads have a whole new meaning to me now. I even screamed like a little kid at one point when going down a steep section of the path our jeep started to slide and Jack gunned the throttle to regain traction. Now I know what it feels like to wet my pants.

Enough of story telling and more of what this blog entry is all about. Pictures of the picturesque Island of Catalina. Here are a few of the landscape.

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Besides the outstanding views we had, we also ran into some wildlife. The Island was able to rid itself of the goats and pigs that were destroying the natural foliage but they did leave the Bison. The Catalina Bison are one of the few Bison herds that do not have a mix of the domestic cow DNA. These guys even though are huge to me are much smaller than the Bison on the main land. They have to stay small and nimble in order to trek the Island's Steep terrain.
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/492174881_iMSdG-L-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 572px;" src="http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/492174881_iMSdG-L-2.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="" /></a>

The Bald Eagles were almost extinct from the Island until the Conservancy made a huge push to protect these majestic birds. There are only a few birds on the Island but we were able to capture one decent shot. We only had a few moments before the Eagle took off in flight across the water to its nest high up in the trees.
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Here are a few other birds that inhabit the Island.

<span style="font-weight:bold;">California Quail</span>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">
House Finches</span>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Horned Lark</span>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/492208344_At82d-L.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 480px; height: 600px;" src="http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/492208344_At82d-L.jpg&quot; alt="" border="0" /></a>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">
Northern Flicker</span>
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While resting for lunch, this little <span style="font-weight:bold;">Side Blotched Lizard</span> seemed a little curious to why we were disturbing his bask in the sun.
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This time of the year the wild flowers are in bloom showing off all their glory. The Island was so green, one would think the Island was more near Ireland rather than Southern California.

<span style="font-weight:bold;">Bee on a Daisy</span>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Blue Dick</span>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/492197627_CuVqT-L.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 415px; height: 600px;" src="http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/492197627_CuVqT-L.jpg&quot; alt="" border="0" /></a>

<span style="font-weight:bold;">Cactus Bloom</span>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/492176964_rGQgv-L-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 429px; height: 600px;" src="http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/492176964_rGQgv-L-1.jpg&quot; alt="" border="0" /></a>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">
Elegant Lupin</span>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/492175472_cwzUK-L-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 429px; height: 600px;" src="http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/492175472_cwzUK-L-1.jpg&quot; alt="" border="0" /></a>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">
Shooting Star</span>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/492182686_VFzNt-L-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 480px; height: 600px;" src="http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/492182686_VFzNt-L-1.jpg&quot; alt="" border="0" /></a>

<span style="font-weight:bold;">Island Poppy</span>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/492195312_MrfrN-L.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 480px; height: 600px;" src="http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/492195312_MrfrN-L.jpg&quot; alt="" border="0" /></a>

Last but not least, here is a dedication to the man that made this workshop as memorable as any photo trip I have been on.

The Famous Muench Star
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Comments

  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2009
    Wow these are beautiful Dan !
    Seems like you enjoyed a lot clap.gif
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

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  • tisuntisun Registered Users Posts: 435 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2009
    Dan, glad to see your post after a long absence. It looks like you were rewarded with good clouds and sunbeams. Great pictures!
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2009
    what a great series!
    I'm not even half way into processing my shots and I'm already jealous :D
    Andy

    Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited March 16, 2009
    OHMIGOSH!! Amazing set!! clap.gif
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
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  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2009
    kdog wrote:
    OHMIGOSH!! Amazing set!! clap.gif

    +1 Fantastic.
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
  • dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2009
    Andy wrote:
    what a great series!
    I'm not even half way into processing my shots and I'm already jealous :D

    What do you mean processing. These are straight out of the camerarolleyes1.gif.

    Thanks to you and Marc, the trip was awesome. I can not wait to see your pictures. When you gave us the occasional glimpse, I was blown away by the shots. bowdown.gifbowbowdown.gif
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  • dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2009
    Andy wrote:
    what a great series!
    I'm not even half way into processing my shots and I'm already jealous :D

    I also wanted to show everyone what a dedicated photographer would go through to get the shot. I on the other hand had a 400mm lens and was not going to tempt faith. Maybe someday I will be as dedicated as Andyne_nau.gif or not headscratch.gif

    492980599_fpvDo-M-2.jpg
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  • anwmn1anwmn1 Registered Users Posts: 3,469 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2009
    Great Post!!

    That Wave shot and the Cactus Bloom are just fantastic!! clap.gif
    "The Journey of life is as much in oneself as the roads one travels"


    Aaron Newman

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  • catspawcatspaw Registered Users Posts: 1,292 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2009
    nice set! I've only just finished uploading the snapshots, I still have the REST to go through. like the 60mm macro enough to buy yourself a copy? you got some great some from it!!!

    clap.gifclapclap.gif
    //Leah
  • dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2009
    catspaw wrote:
    nice set! I've only just finished uploading the snapshots, I still have the REST to go through. like the 60mm macro enough to buy yourself a copy? you got some great some from it!!!

    clap.gifclapclap.gif

    Thank you for allowing me to use your macro and more importantly your charger. I made a list to check off for the next trip just so i won't forget to pack the essentials. Can't wait to see your pics and hopefully the others will join DGrin and post their shots as well.thumb.gif
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  • schmooschmoo Registered Users Posts: 8,468 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2009
    Fan-frickin- tastic! Catalina looks like it has it all: wildlife, flowers, landscapes, crazy drivers... lol3.gif

    You're amazing for processing photos so fast. But, man, it's good for satisfying our curiosity here on our end. Great set!
    SmugMug Editor / News Flash!
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  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2009
    dadwtwins wrote:
    I also wanted to show everyone what a dedicated photographer would go through to get the shot. I on the other hand had a 400mm lens and was not going to tempt faith. Maybe someday I will be as dedicated as Andyne_nau.gif or not headscratch.gif

    492980599_fpvDo-Th-2.jpg
    lol3.giflol3.gif

    When you only have 24mm you gotta get close :D
    Andy

    Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2009
    dadwtwins wrote:
    I also wanted to show everyone what a dedicated photographer would go through to get the shot. I on the other hand had a 400mm lens and was not going to tempt faith. Maybe someday I will be as dedicated as Andyne_nau.gif or not headscratch.gif

    492980599_fpvDo-M-2.jpg

    I must ask........
    Is this dedication or is this just BLONDE????rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • catspawcatspaw Registered Users Posts: 1,292 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2009
    Art Scott wrote:
    I must ask........
    Is this dedication or is this just BLONDE????rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif

    We could do an entire thread of Catalina images of blonde Andy moments ..... :D
    //Leah
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2009
    They usually don't say anything to vegetarians...or may be it is not fan of smugypro cap.....or it is simply in love with Andy... :D
    Nice picture
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • catspawcatspaw Registered Users Posts: 1,292 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2009
    Awais Yaqub wrote:
    They usually don't say anything to vegetarians...or may be it is not fan of smugypro cap.....or it is simply in love with Andy... :D
    Nice picture

    Andy's a vegetarian? guess that meat didn't count...... at least not on Catalina ;)
    //Leah
  • dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2009
    catspaw wrote:
    Andy's a vegetarian? guess that meat didn't count...... at least not on Catalina ;)


    Anyone that could eat those tofu balls is pure vegetarian to me.eek7.gifbowdown.gifbowbowdown.gif
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  • dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2009
    schmoo wrote:
    Fan-frickin- tastic! Catalina looks like it has it all: wildlife, flowers, landscapes, crazy drivers... lol3.gif

    You're amazing for processing photos so fast. But, man, it's good for satisfying our curiosity here on our end. Great set!

    Thank you Schmoo. Nothing like a little diversity of pictures to show everyone I have no sense of direction or style with my shots. My motto is shot everything and something good should come out of it.rolleyes1.gifne_nau.gif
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  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,948 moderator
    edited March 20, 2009
    Andy wrote:
    lol3.giflol3.gif

    When you only have 24mm you gotta get close :D

    Walking through Yellowstone, we watched a couple get chased...yeowza! They can run lol3.gif
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2009
    I think i read in Facebook headscratch.gif
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • catspawcatspaw Registered Users Posts: 1,292 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2009
    Awais Yaqub wrote:
    I think i read in Facebook headscratch.gif

    ??
    //Leah
  • dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2009
    Awais Yaqub wrote:
    I think i read in Facebook headscratch.gif

    you think so you are.bowdown.gif A true philosopherrolleyes1.gif
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  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2009
    Here is pure philosophy from Random Things You Don't Know About Me (Facebook)

    "14. I'm a vegetarian but eggplant makes me gag."

    Otherwise my 3rd conclusion is true headscratch.gif
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • DeeDee Registered Users Posts: 2,981 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2009
    I've been waiting
    to see some photos from the trip! I liked the wave shot, really a great frozen in time action shot! But I like your night light scenes too, and of course the Andy and the Bison shot! rolleyes1.gif

    Looks like you had a mixed set of weather days, makes for challenges and opportunities, right? Sorry to hear you were sick on the trip, but I'm so glad you didn't let that hold you back from going on it!

    Hope you post more photos soon.
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  • dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2009
    Dee wrote:
    to see some photos from the trip! I liked the wave shot, really a great frozen in time action shot! But I like your night light scenes too, and of course the Andy and the Bison shot! rolleyes1.gif

    Looks like you had a mixed set of weather days, makes for challenges and opportunities, right? Sorry to hear you were sick on the trip, but I'm so glad you didn't let that hold you back from going on it!

    Hope you post more photos soon.
    The weather was awesome. Some days warm, some days cool but no rain. I could not ask for anything better.

    Here are a few more pictures I took.

    These oil derricks reminded us that we were not too far from the million of people just on the other side of the pond.
    495288647_tnrZJ-L.jpg

    I just could not believe how green the Island is this time of year.
    493556765_GCYwW-L-1.jpg

    I just could not turn away from the GOD beams. I just loved them.
    493640138_a5WAH-L.jpg

    And of course, there are the sunsets.
    495287071_7BX82-L.jpg
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  • DeeDee Registered Users Posts: 2,981 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2009
    What a fantastic trip! I'm so glad you were able to go. Can't wait to see what the other photographers came up with.
    http://www.deegolden.smugmug.com
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  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,948 moderator
    edited March 20, 2009
    I like that you can see Catalina Harbor in one of your shots. That is a beautiful place to hang out.

    Imagine if the casino were still going gang-busters?
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • catspawcatspaw Registered Users Posts: 1,292 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2009
    ian408 wrote:
    I like that you can see Catalina Harbor in one of your shots. That is a beautiful place to hang out.

    Imagine if the casino were still going gang-busters?

    Probably a different harbor? there's a bunch of them we discovered :)
    //Leah
  • dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2009
    ian408 wrote:
    I like that you can see Catalina Harbor in one of your shots. That is a beautiful place to hang out.

    Imagine if the casino were still going gang-busters?

    hey ian,

    this is isthmus harbor thumb.gif
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  • grimacegrimace Registered Users Posts: 1,537 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2009
    kdog wrote:
    OHMIGOSH!! Amazing set!! clap.gif

    I agree with Joel!! Nice series!!
    -Adam
    www.adamstravelphotography.com

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