Okay, I admit … I occasionally get out of Dodge … even if Dodge is Paradise. I’ll be at the BSVFB Muster, but for a couple days (shush … don’t tell, but I’m having a birthday) I am exploring another area of the state … where am I? Here is clue number 1:
Cloudscape
Here is number 2: Overlook
And here is another: Original Bar from 1862
All reports about the Big, Big, Big Sur Fashion Show at the Henry Miller Library last night are that it was superb, spectacular, and lots of fun! Next year, I am really going to try and attend what has fast become an epic event. Tomorrow is the BSVFB Muster at the State Park, and I will be attending that on my way back home tomorrow. See you there!
Pitkin's City by Rock Knocker Ready to pour Jumble of Cranes Bridge and Rock Shed footings
In the background one can see the footings for the Coast’s first rock shed. Can’t wait to drive it. Rebar repose Under the Bridge North End of Bridge South End of Bridge
All photos by Rock Knocker, I just forgot the credits.
I know … I promised yet even MORE road pics, and I have a bunch … Rocky Creek, Alder Creek, Pitkins Curve, Rain Rocks … there is so much going on, it is hard to know where to start, but I decided I need a break from them, so today, it is wildflowers. All of these were taken yesterday. Aquilegia formosa - Western Columbine Pacific Valley Center Lupinus bicolor Sticky Monkey Flower - Mimulus aurantiacus Blow-wives (Achyrachaena mollis)
Thanks Tzila for sending me the name of this one! Indian Paintbrush - Castilleja Common Vetch - Vicia Calochortus albus - Fairy Lantern
And on another note, I don’t know how many of you read the article in the Herald about the French tourists who got lost on the South Coast Ridge Rd. and had to be rescued. They did not speak or read English and got to the closure and turned around, headed up Nacimiento-Fergusson, but then turned right on South Coast Ridge Rd. and drove out a couple hours. I can only imagine what that was like for them.
Today, I had my own version. I left the gate open last night – just being lazy. Today this SUV went whizzing by my place. I knew the back gate would stop him, but I didn’t want him doing anything stupid – like busting through, so I gave chase. I caught him just after he’d turned around. He was a young man, by himself, who spoke little English. He was French. His GPS sent him up Plaskett.
I got him to come back to my place so I could show him a map and draw him one on how to get back, down, over, and headed toward LA again. He was funny. Said he “liked new things” – adventure, said I. And so, he took my photo standing in front of the incredible view in my Jade Festival T-shirt with ranch hat on. What an adventure he had!
During the craziness of the road closures, a couple photos sent me by readers got lost in the shuffle. Today, I found them and post them here for your viewing pleasure, while we await the opening at Alder Creek.
From Ken Harlan, of Lucia Lodge – finding beauty in a road closure: Stuck in the middle again by Ken Harlan
Here is one of our famous sunsets, also by Ken Harlan: South Coast Sunset by Ken Harlan
Here is a photo of the other side of the Santa Lucias by Dan Danbom Upper Carmel Valley by Dan Danbom
Nothing to do with the Marathon, but I have a few photos I have been wanting to share. There has been too much to cover recently to fit them in, but I am taking today easy, enjoying the gorgeous weather, spending time with family, and thought today would be a good day to share them. The Back Way Historical Jolon Store
The Jolon store is where the miners of the Los Burros Mining District came for supplies on horseback, and generally taking three days for the trip. Currently, it is owned by the U.S. Army and is fenced off to visitors. It is just outside the entrance to Fort Hunter-Liggett. Reflection
I have a number of photos from readers taken over the past few days I’d like to share. I’ll try to identify the location, date, and photographer, if I can. Big Sur River, 4/9/11, by Debbie Reed
I chose this one because I love the way the light is reflected off the water, and the color it becomes. Thanks, Debbie! Mouth of Carmel River, 4/5/11, by Simon Eagar
Messing with Mama, is the comment Simon made about this photo. Thank you, Simon! Juan Higuera Creek, 4/2/11, by Gabriel Hyppolite Big Sur River, 4/2/11, by Gabriel Hyppolite
Thank you Gabriel!
I also have some by Rob Weeler taken on his trip across the N-F Rd yesterday, but unfortunately, they are quite large, and the 17.9 MB file is hanging up the others. When they finally download (if they do) I will add one of two of those.)
Okay all but the 17.9 finally downloaded, so here are a couple!
Nacimiento Snow, 4/8/11, by Rob Weller Nacimiento View, 4/8/11, by Rob Weller
Remember, folks. I live in the wilderness with no high speed internet. I’m cellular and photos can take a while, unless you make them a bit smaller.
Okay, I must admit. I am enamored. I’ve already downloaded several photo apps and have been busy trying them out.
Here are some samples for you. First, the view from my deck. This first one is taken with an app called Camera Bag. It has “filters” which will change the look of the photo. After taking the photo in this application, one can try the photo with the various filters – to give old time camera appearances. I used 1974 on this photo: View w/ 1974 filter
This second photograph of the same view uses an application called HDR. For non-photographers, this stands for high-definition resolution. Generally, 3 photographs are exposed and combined- one normal, one overexposed, and one underexposed. This brings out the highlight and shadow details better than a single photograph. In the application called HDR, only two photographs are taken and then combined, but the details and saturation are much more like what is actually depicted than a “normal” photograph.
I also have a set of still lifes taken with different filters I will use to demonstrate shortly, but just had a visitor show up.
Alright, here are a set of still lifes that demonstrate the range of photographs available with the built-in camera and camera bag. Still in Helga
The Helga camera is a common medium format 120 film toy camera, made in China, known for its low-fidelity aesthetic. It was created in 1981 by T.M. Lee.
The Holga’s low-cost construction and simple meniscus lens often yields pictures that display vignetting, blur, light leaks, and other distortions. The camera’s limitations have brought it a cult following among some photographers, and Holga photos have won awards and competitions in art and news photography. (Info from wikipedia) Still Magazine
This is a rich style popular for the glossy pages of a magazine. 60's Still
This filter emulates the high contrast black and white style of photojournalist art of the 60’s.
Okay, that should give you an idea, anyway. Now, I must be about the shooting this afternoon, but tomorrow, I have some photos of Big Sur I wanted to share – taken with my D-90 this past week.
First, I apologize. I have been lost inside my new iPhone for the last couple of days. This technology is amazing! Once I figure out its application to blogging, I will share my experiences with you. iPhone 4G
I also had to go to town for a few days, then spent Friday in Big Sur. During all of this, I followed the earthquake in Japan (my son has an earthquake app, and so let me know shortly after it happened) and the resulting tsanami, both causing significant devastation. Monterey was lucky, Santa Cruz was not.
One thing about being out and about is that I took some photographs I will share over the next few days. I am still getting used to the iPhone camera, but it does have some capabilities my more expensive Nikon D-90 has not, so I can tell I will be carrying and shooting both.
But here is one I took with the iPhone and the camera bag app. It imitates some of the old-fashioned cameras and photo styles. 1974 style
This was taken of the field across from Don Harlan’s place. The new owners completely covered several of these ocean terraces with poppies. It is beautiful!
Looks like I have found out that I can, at a minimum, edit posts from the iPhone.
I don’t take the time – I don’t MAKE the time to stop in Point Lobos, like I used to when I lived in Palo Colorado Canyon. My focus has become more narrow – the south coast is my coast, now.
So, when Dan Danbom sends me some great shots he took there yesterday, and as this is a slow “news” day, I am posting them here so we can all enjoy them. Thanks again, Dan!
Dan hardly ever does B&W, which is my favorite, but here he was led to by the conditions, and he is correct. The strength of the composition here carries the shot. B&W by Dan Danbom Pt. Lobos Joy by Dan Danbom China Cove by Dan Danbom
Saturday, Dan Danbom took a trip down my way, and the snow followed. He sent me a number of phenomenal shots which he said I could share with you. If you compare the times of his shots, to those of mine, you will see he arrived at the same time as the snow. Thank you for sharing with us, Dan! Toward Big Creek by Dan Danbom
Here, it is 1:51 pm, and the storm is approaching. In fact, it starts snowing about 15 minutes after this shot is taken. Fergusson Rd. by Dan Danbom
Dan has started the climb up Nacimiento-Fegusson Rd. and so has the snow. It is now 2:35 pm. Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. by Dan Danbom
Tire tracks in the snow show there *is* a road there, thankfully, but this one can be quite difficult on a clear, sunny day. Side of Nacimiento-Fergusson by Dan Danbom
It may be difficult to drive in, but it sure is pretty. Snow at Limekiln Creek by Dan Danbom
This was taken at 4:53 pm. Snow fell all the way down to just feet above the ocean. Pretty amazing. Cone Peak from Limekiln Bridge by Dan Danbom
