Photo of the Week

January 12, 2010January 14, 2013

Starfish and Mussels (Photo of the week)

A starfish sits among clustered mussels, Moss Beach, California

Photographing tide pools can be a lot of fun, especially if you are stuck with an overcast day when the scenery is less than dynamic. This starfish was photographed at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach, just north of Half Moon Bay. Make sure to check a tide chart to see when there will be a low tide, giving you much more access to the pools. Required equipment for this type of outing includes a tripod for long exposures (this shot was 1.6 seconds) and a polarized filter to cut the reflections so you can actually see what lives in the tide pools. The photo below was taken on the same day, and is a good example of why polarized filters are necessary.

A starfish sits in a tide pool with anemones, Moss Beach, California

January 6, 2010January 14, 2013

Point Reyes Coastal Colors (Photo of the week)

Wildflowers and multi-colored coastal grasses adorn the hills of Point Reyes National Seashore

Late fall is a great time to visit Point Reyes National Seashore. Wildlife is active most of the day, and the coastal plants and grasses that adorn the seaside dunes start to turn their many colors in preparation for the winter. It is only an hour north of San Francisco, and features a historic light house, miles of protected beach, and opportunities for long hikes and overnight backpacking.

December 29, 2009January 14, 2013

An Ornery Curlew (Photo of the week)

A long-billed curlew snaps at a gull, chasing it away

Most of the time, many different avian species coexist in relative harmony, going about their business while generally ignoring one another. However, as this week’s photo can attest, there is occasionally some friction. I’m not sure what caused this curlew to snap at the gull, but there was quite a flurry of activity before the gull was chased off. It wasn’t until I reviewed the photos later that I saw the curlew defending his territory.

December 22, 2009January 14, 2013

Steller’s Jay On Fir (Photo of the week)

A Steller's Jay perches in a fir tree, Lassen National Park

This photo was taken in late summer in the early morning. Sometimes getting a “nature” shot can be as easy as wandering around a busy campground. Campgrounds can be a great place to find common birds, especially the loud, bold, and sometimes irritating Steller’s Jay. While they can be a nuisance when you’re trying to eat, they are a quite striking bird, especially in the right lighting conditions. Try to shoot them either in early morning or late evening, or with a polarizer – they’re feathers tend to reflect a lot of light in harsher lighting situations. To go for a more natural look, I made sure to shoot away from tables, benches, and fire pits. Zooming in tight allowed me to isolate this jay in a more natural environment.

I wish everyone a safe, happy, and relaxing holiday season. Here’s to a new year full of excitement, exploration, and of course, many more photographs!