In anticipation of the Fall photo contest – the theme is Jade – and the 19th Annual Big Sur Jade Festival coming on October 8th, 9th, and 10th, I offer the following: Necklace by Big Sur Jade Co.- Champagne & Glass provided by Rose Welch
And here is another idea for Jade photos: Jade!!
So, starting September 1st, I will be accepting photos for the Fall Contest, and the theme is Jade – anything and everything Jade – raw, polished, sculptured, found, jewelry – will even consider Jade Festival photos! Contest winners will again be chosen by the readers and the contest will close on September 14th at midnight, PDT, to allow a full week to vote for the photo that will grace the header spot for the Fall, which will go up on or about September 21st.
A reader of my blog, and visitor to Big Sur, came down here via Amtrack and the local 22 bus late last week. (YAY! One less vehicle on the highway). While here, he took some incredible shots he sent to me. I am posting three of them, although the others were superb, as well. Most of you who live here, and many of you who visit, will recognize where these were taken. Thanks, Tom! Big Sur visitors, by Tom Haley
Doesn’t this just say, “Summer in Big Sur” to you? Horse, by Tom Haley
I just love, love, love this photograph! Yes, it could have been taken anywhere, but it was taken here. Big Sur shed by Tom Haley
This photograph is a study in composition. What a wonderful way to depict this place.
Thank you, Tom, for sharing your work with all of us! The last of summer is fast approaching. Come, share Big Sur with us!
In response to my Condor post yesterday, Anne Ashley, of Pfeiffer Ridge sent me some photos and the story of a time in 2008 [ed. note – actually 2000-2001] when the condors came to hang out at her place. Here they are: 5 condors by Anne Ashley Condors on the roof and window by Anne Ashley No. 64 by Anne Ashley
And this is what Anne had to say about the experience:
Highlights…..
It was really wonderful sitting in a window under them, not 5 ‘ away…
They “walked” on our glass roof over the bed and drove our cats CRAZY! (Cats did not come out from under bed for days!
2 condors pulling a king sized blanket and ottoman cushion (about 3’x2’x6″) out our back door raised a racket. My husband John heard them and chased them off
Our guest house (having some work done) was left open and they tore up insulation, ate large bags of chips, etc etc etc
Ventana Wilderness Society marveling and telling us to spray their bellies with water when they lit on the house as they want them to stay wild/not get too used to people (they say it doesn’t hurt them but they hate it!)
About a year later after more condors had been released we had about 10 of them circling above like a dark cloud for maybe 10 minutes…… John figures it was the elders telling the young’uns “Don’t ever go down there. those people are NUTS!”
And while I am here, Anne has a question and hopes someone can direct her to the appropriate response. She has already contacted the MCSPCA. “We have a bobcat event We have seen him/her 3 times in past 2 weeks (big sur).
Twice he came up to back dolor…. put nose to door (around dawn) and seemed to be looking for breakfast (our cats!).
This morning he got up on our (1 story roof) and terrified everyone by approaching large second story windows (clearly trying to find a way in) …….. then went downstairs to the front of the house, climbed stairs (12 ft rise worth) and ambled/stalked along front deck (25-30’ of glass doors) peering in, sort of pushing on door with his head and terrorizing us/cats
He is a beauty but beyond brazen and we’re not sure if he might be ill, who we should tell…. etc. what do you advise.
We’re on Pfeiffer ridge in big sur…….. no other houses in shouting distance.”
While my shots aren’t even close to the quality of Dan Danbom’s shots, posted earlier this year, I am still always tickled when I get to see them and photograph them. Even us amateurs like to get these shots! Condor, photo #1 Condor, photo #2 Condor, photo #3 Condor, photo #4
Dan Danbom sent me this shot a while back, and I’ve always wanted to post it here, even though it was taken in Monterey, rather than Big Sur.
Today, other than counting all the gunshots, and looking for campfires tonight, it is a quiet reporting day, so a good time to share this photo. And besides that, this is just a drop-dead uplifting photograph! Watch, as soon as I post this, something will happen that I will feel compelled to blog about! Del Monte Beach by Dan Danbom
There is a moment when the light starts to change color, an hour before sunset or so. It is the moment that my dogs and I tune into. It is the time when they must come in for the night.
The mountain lion is nocturnal, and she comes out to hunt. Dogs are easy targets, and I have lost my share. But with this pack the rules are sacrosanct, and revolve around the changing of the light.
Here, I had two dogs with me, the others were already inside. It is another time of light changes, much later than what we heed, but it yielded a blessed photo, so different from what others see. I could have focused on the cliffs, as most would do, or I could make the silhouette the focus, which is what I did.
The fog on the coast is quite high. It has to be almost 3000 feet, which is keeping it in the 70’s up here. Nice for me, but not for the rest of the coast. The added advantage of these cool days and nights is that the flies are dying off, again, so it has been a good summer in that respect, too
This is August – the month of scorching heat – often times beyond triple digits into the 110-115 degree range. And so, I sit at the open door in a light sweater. I’m not complaining, I know the heat is expected back this week. Instead I am relishing the moderate temperatures for this time of year – and no bugs! Fog level, 8/8/10
And for all us optimists, the good thing about this much fog, this high, for so long, is it keeps the wildfire boogey man at bay. I’m a positive person in spirit and at heart. What can I say?
Also, for my readers in Santa Cruz, a vehicle fire at Highway 9 and Highway 35 has spread into the brush about 1:30 pm this afternoon. I would imagine it will be picked up quickly, and these cool temps will prevent it from spreading too far or too fast.
