Yet another reason I love summer!

Carrizo Plain after the Storm

Stormy Monterey Morning

Sunrise and Moonset at Morro Bay

Click on "Arizona Road Trip" above to see photos of our recent trip

Sue and I took a road trip to the Southwestern corner of Arizona last week. We had planned to drive up through Phoenix to Sedona, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.We discovered that a blizzard had closed Interstates 17 and 40, our planned route. Time to regroup. We decided to follow the Colorado River north on Highway 95. I haven't been on that road in over 30 years!  Some things are exactly the same and some things have changed unbelievably.

Avila Beach

Monarch Butterflies at Pismo Beach

Pozo

Stormy Pozo Morning

Cold Autumn Morning

Gale Warning

A storm warning left all but most adventuresome skippers in port.

Oaks in the Vineyard

Harvest is over and the vines are turning to gold to match the setting sun.

Waiting for AAA

I had to wait for a snake to vacate before I get this picture. It would have been neat to get him in the shot but he was camera shy. I'd look through the finder and then look over my shoulder to see if he was coming back.

Vines at Sunrise

Harvest 2010

Sextant Vineyard in Templeton. Harvest has already started and these vines will be picked this weekend.

Sunrise at McGregor Vineyard Edna Valley

I took this before work this morning. 

Its tough leaving this to participate in the "real world."

Cayucos Pier at Sunrise

Goodyear Blimp

Sue and I had an amazing experience on Friday. We were guests of Goodyear Tire and flew on the "Spirit of America."     More picks and info at http://blimpride.blogspot.com

Normal Rockwell interpretation of parking the big boy for the night.

More picks and info at http://blimpride.blogspot.com

Curves and Lines

Sunrise at Sextant Templeton Vineyard

Harmony Headlands State Park

This area has only been open to the public for 2 years and this was my first visit. Its an easy 2 mile walk with about 200' elevation change from Hwy 1 to the coastal bluffs with a pond about half way that looks like it will be a favorite for seasonal birds. I'll try this again on a blue sky day.

 

Clearing fog

Edna Valley Sundown

Los Osos Valley Road

Mission San Antonio

This is actually an old pic that a family member had 

ask for a print of. Looking at it again I thought I would 

share it. I always found it ironic that Mission San Antonio, 

one of the original California Missions is located on what 

is now a military base, Fort Hunter Liggett. 

Oak in the Vineyard

This is the same location I shot last weekend, 

but without the fog it has a completely different feel. 

I love this beautiful old oak tree. 

Retired

Foggy Morning

This barn on Hwy 46 and Santa Rosa Creek Road was part of the farm my friend Teresa D grew up on. 

I check in on it from time to time as each season presents it differently.

Intrepid Photo Assistants

Sue and Sam joined me for sunset above Tidewater Park

Morro Bay Sunset

Lime Kiln

Two years ago a wildfire closed one of my favorite areas in Big Sur, Lime Kiln. The sign posted at the park entrance after the fire stated: "Closed Indefinately'" I was devastated. 

 It reopened last week and I was pleased to find it mostly back to normal. 

Sun sets behind Morro Rock

Flower fields

On the way back from San Diego we were greeted with this vista  just south of Santa Maria. I came back the next morning, jumped a barbed wire fence, slogged through the mud and put together this panorama. The fields all around had been picked, and these flowers were past their peak so I don't know if the farmer was letting them go to seed (do they do that?) or he left them for freeway travelers to enjoy.  Double click on image to see larger view.

Closer to home these fields are off Los Osos Valley Road.

Sunrise at Morro Bay Harbor

Morro Rock Sunrise from Baywood Park

Reservoir Canyon

Sunday Sunrise at Sea Shore

Poppies and Rust