Piedra Blancas - Little coastal Heaven

StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
edited January 16, 2014 in Wildlife
Piedra Blancas is located few miles south of Hearst Castle near Cambria, CA. It is one of the biggest success stories in population recovery of Elephant seals. The added benefit is that it is literally located off of highway and you can walk right on top of the seals on a walkway. Below are my attempts:

1) Sun about to pop over

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-22-X2.jpg

2) Sunrise

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-29-2-X2.jpg

3) Raven not too thrilled that I took his spot

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-27-X2.jpg

4) Early pre-dawn swim in golden light and crushing waves as it was supposed to be high tide

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-17-2-X2.jpg

5) My proboscis is bigger than yours

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-14-X2.jpg

6) Beach is more relaxing

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-63-X2.jpg

7) What's up doc?

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-50-X2.jpg

8) Too early to start a fight

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-34-X2.jpg

9) Making mommy mad

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-65-X2.jpg

10) I can't see any Turkeys

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-111-2-X2.jpg

11) Good boy

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-72-X2.jpg

12) Kiss

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-71-X2.jpg

13) Get lost you big fat scary dude

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-78-X2.jpg

14) Early morning bath

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-87-X2.jpg

15) Hah ha

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-92-X2.jpg

16) Or maybe she is mad

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-93-X2.jpg

17) I got my eye on you

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-83-X2.jpg

18) Fun to be cute

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-47-X2.jpg

19) I am watching you

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-125-X2.jpg

20) Feel all better now

1401_piedra_blancas_0061-114-2-X2.jpg

Comments

  • OsoOso Registered Users Posts: 164 Major grins
    edited January 14, 2014
    Wow. To quote Liz Lemon, "I want to go to there." Great shots, as usual!
    Steve
    Pics: http://stevehymon.smugmug.com
    Blog: http://stevehymonphotos.blogspot.com
  • QarikQarik Registered Users Posts: 4,959 Major grins
    edited January 14, 2014
    good stuff. bird on post culd use straighteninig
    D700, D600
    14-24 24-70 70-200mm (vr2)
    85 and 50 1.4
    45 PC and sb910 x2
    http://www.danielkimphotography.com
  • StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
    edited January 14, 2014
    Oso wrote: »
    Wow. To quote Liz Lemon, "I want to go to there." Great shots, as usual!

    Thanks Steve! Early morning/sunrise may be best time as I was only there for couple of hours. Went to town, came back and place was packed with onlookers. Also, I was not there for sunset, however, the angle it would set, there would be a chance to frame a seal with is snout raised into a setting sun if it works out. Cheers!
  • StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
    edited January 14, 2014
    Qarik wrote: »
    good stuff. bird on post culd use straighteninig

    Thanks Daniel. Yes, missed it. Cheers!
  • DsrtVWDsrtVW Registered Users Posts: 1,991 Major grins
    edited January 14, 2014
    Nice light, really like the Kestrel
    Chris K. NANPA Member
    http://kadvantage.smugmug.com/
  • StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
    edited January 16, 2014
    DsrtVW wrote: »
    Nice light, really like the Kestrel

    Thanks Chris! Was surprised that it stayed there. I took some shots and then crept up and then some shots and kept it going till it took off. This is the closest I got. I don't have your knowledge of birds so didn't know what it was. However, once it took off, it did the "hovering over target" routine and THOSE I have seen before, so was rather happy that I got it...somewhat. Its not very big bird so getting a real sharp close up would have to be total luck.
Sign In or Register to comment.