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Starfish and Mussels (Photo of the week)

A starfish sits among clustered mussels, Moss Beach, California
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
A starfish sits in a tide pool with anemones, Moss Beach, California
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Point Reyes Coastal Colors (Photo of the week)

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

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The Sun Sets on Another Year

A duck perched on a log is silhouetted against a reflected sunset
A duck perched on a log is silhouetted against a reflected sunset

Another year is complete, and what a year it has been. This year has seen both the start of this blog, and a complete overhaul of my main photography web site. In addition, we have seen many exciting technological advances including a sudden ubiquity of HD video capabilities in quite a few DSLRs. With even more camera advances on the horizon, updated workflow software, and faster computers, 2010 is set to be a fantastic year for digital photography.

I’ll continue to share my photographic adventures and any interesting techniques I come across. Thanks for reading and all your support in 2009 – here’s to a fun, safe, and inspirational new year!

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An Ornery Curlew (Photo of the week)

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