A Winter's Day In Monterey

 

The Lone Cypress

17 Mile Drive

Monterey, California

January 8th 2024

“Monterey is a place, a grating noise, a quality of light,

 a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream.”

 

~John Steinbeck,

  Cannery Row

 

 

Yesterday, in Monterey, it was as about as beautiful a day as it gets. It was clear, and the water blue and beautiful, as opposed to times when the it is almost gray and full of kelp and frankly... stinky. Don't get me wrong, I love Monterey any time of the year, and any time of day, and no matter how the water looks, but yesterday it was particularly beautiful, and dreamlike. It was hours not moments of Zen. It was cool outside, but not really cold, at least not until much later in the day. We spent the day bopping from spot to spot through Pacific Grove, and then along the 17 Mile Drive, which paid off, because we came home with 13 birds for the 2024 file. It was a very good day by the numbers, but we only saw one new species, the Black Turnstone. We smiled a lot too, especially while watching the Sanderling running toward the water to catch their lunch in the surf, and then darting back to the dry sand as the waves came in. It was a silly little dance, and I wouldn't have miss it for the world. This was dear hubby's birthday trip, and I am so glad he got to spend his day, in the sunshine, in one of the most amazing places in California!

 

Photographed By Hubby

Adventures In Photography

 

"Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera."

~Yousuf Karsh

I only had my Nikon CoolPix S3600 for a couple months before it went missing, while we were on vacation last October. I still have no idea what happened to it, but wherever it is, I hope it is assisting some other person with a great love of photography, the way it did me! Oh my, I loved that camera, and it was an anniversary gift from Alan. It makes me sad thinking about it. So I try not to, but it's difficult, and frustrating, to not have any idea what happened to it.

Just look at one of the beautiful moments it captured...

Sunset On The 17 Mile Drive, Monterey, California

October 18th, 2014

Oh my, I had big plans for that camera! Lots, and lots of photographic adventures!

But...

Alan, knew how much photography means to me, so shortly after Thanksgiving, he bought me my newest Nikon CoolPix camera, the model #S3600. It's not that cute feminine pink, but rather an elegant and fun purple. I love the pretty color, and so far, I am loving the new camera as much as the old one! It's a dream to use.

Just look what my new camera can do...

Sunset Over Marin County, As Seen From The Berkeley Hills.

December 23rd, 2014

 

Isn't it lovely?

My new purple camera was amazing gift from Alan.

I am a very lucky girl!

Thank You Alan... I Love You!

Mood: Grateful

~Me :)

 

October's Oddities

"I only sing in the shower. I would join a choir,

 but I don't think my bathtub can hold that many people."

~Jarod Kintz

Who Moved My Choose?: An Amazing Way To Deal With Change

 By Deciding To Le Indecision Into Your Life

Last month, while on vacation, and loving October completely, I came across many different sights and sounds that were awesome, but that I just couldn't seem to fit into an Ellipsis post. But yesterday, while going through last months archives, I decided that it would be a shame to not let these photos be seen, so here is a little more from October. Random Yes! But oh so fun!

Enjoy!

 I Couldn't Agree More!

Yes, Go Giants! But TMI!

 It Gets Cold In San Francisco

Me Too!

SSSSSSSSSssssssssssssss!

Pretty, But Odd. Pretty Odd. 

 I Wonder If Her Name Is Ondine?

I love photography, I love seeing things and capturing their image forever...

 or until my computer crashes! LOL

;)

Leaf Of The Day

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

The 17 Mile Drive In October

"The two girls grew up at the edge of the ocean and knew it was paradise,

 and better than Eden, which was only a garden."

~~Eve Babitz, 

Sex And Rage: Advice To Young Ladies Eager For A Good Time: A Novel

It's been a couple years since Alan and I drove down the lovely 17 Mile Drive that borders Pacific Grove/Monterey/Carmel. I know I go on and on about how much I love the San Francisco Bay, and I do, but the beauty of the Monterey Bay is not to be taken lightly. It is amazingly beautiful, in fact... it stuns me! No wonder so many have found great creative inspiration here. I know I do!

17 Mile Drive Gallery

2014

A lovely golden sunset to end a perfect Monterey Day!

Leaf Of The Day

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

World Events...

 

 "Even a blind squirrel will finds an acorn sometimes."

~Proverb

This post doesn't feature a new photo, or a photo from the archives that hasn't been previously posted, but that's okay I think. I love this photo, and the memory of haven taken it. Alan and I were on vacation, on the 17 Mile drive in Monterey, and this little guy had just been attacked by a rather large, mean, seagull! Fortunately, Alan jumped to the rescue, yelled and waved his arm at the mean bird and chased off, probably saving this little guys life! The poor squirrel was so frightened that he just stood in place, on that rock, as his whole body shook from fear. It broke my heart. But he finally calmed down, and went about his business... he was fine... I never forgot him!

And now a little wisdom from Mark Twain

"Man is the Reasoning Animal. Such is the claim. I think it is open to dispute. Indeed, my experiments have proven to me that he is the Unreasoning Animal... In truth, man is incurably foolish. Simple things which other animals easily learn, he is incapable of learning. Among my experiments was this. In an hour I taught a cat and a dog to be friends. I put them in a cage. In another hour I taught them to be friends with a rabbit. In the course of two days I was able to add a fox, goose, a squirrel and some doves. Finally a monkey. They lived together in peace; even affectionately.

Next, in another cage I confined an Irish Catholic from Tipperary, and as soon as he seemed tame I added a Scotch Presbyterian from Aberdeen. Next a Turk from Constantinople; a Greek Christian from Crete; an Armenian; a Methodist from the wilds of Arkansas; a Buddhist from China; a Brahman from Benares. Finally, a Salvation Army Colonel from Wrapping. Then I stayed away for two while days. When I came back to note results, the cage of Higher Animals was all right, but in the other there was but a chaos of gory odds and ends of turbans and fezzes and plaids and bones and flesh... not a specimen left alive. These Reasoning Animals had disagreed on a theological detail and carried the matter to a Higher Court."

~Mark Twain

 Letters from the Earth: Uncensored Writings

Mood: Okay/Happy/Good... I'm Good!

~Me :)

Emotion Incarnate

"The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates, and weeps. It defines all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can't."

~Christopher Paolini, Eragon

I took this photo several years ago, on the 17 Mile drive, near Monterey. I love it there and don't get to visit nearly enough, but with it being March, and the ice plant along the shoreline beginning to turn bright purple and pink, I think it might be time for a visit soon. There are some amazing sunsets to be seen as well! No phone... no Internet... just me and my cameras. The stuff relaxation is made of. Who knows, maybe it will help me sleep better.

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

A Photo A day For 6 Months: Day 38: Bird Rock

From For Ellipsis

"Home is not where you live, but where thy understand you."


~Christian Morganstern

 

Bird Rock, located on the 17 Mile drive on the Monterey Peninsula, is one of the most striking stops along the route, which eventually winds down to Pebble Beach, is always one of my favorite stops along the route. It is a lovely place to stop and take in not just the beauty Pacific ocean at your feet, but also get in a little bird watching as well. No matter how many visits I make to this stunning vista, I am always amazed at just how many birds cover the rock. 


On this particular day, back in October of 2007, there seemed to be mostly cormorants, but on other visits I have seen pelicans, pigeons, and I believe an odd sandpiper or two. But it's not just birds that sun themselves on the rock, as you can see here, harbor seals apparently enjoy lazing there as well. And why not? The 17 Mile drive is among the most beautiful stretches of California coastline, and to them its home. Lucky ducks... and cormorants... and pigeons... and pelicans. LOL.








"Home is where you can say anything you please, because nobody pays any attention to you anyway:"


~Joe Moore

~Me :)

This is day 38 of my personal challenge of posting A Photo A Day For 6 Months. If you would like to join me, please feel free to join in! There is no theme, no worries about what you post. Just upload your photo, and come back here with a direct link back to it. I will include your link with my post for tomorrow. Its that easy! See, like my pal JR...


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/apadf6-37.html

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #26: Hit Me With Your Best Shot!

"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place. I've found it has little to do with the things you see, and everything to do with the way you see them."

-Elliot Erwitt





Welcome to the official 6 month mark of the Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot! At the end of this entry I will be posting a fun little question for you guys, so if you feel like participating, just leave your answer right there in the comment thread. :) Ok, now on to this week's photo shoot!

EMPS #26: HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT! NOW CLOSED!
Ok, now it is your time to shine! We photographers might tackle a lot of subjects, but we all have one type of photography that is our very favorite. Landscapes, Still Life, Night photography, Portraits, Pet photography, Seascapes, Sunsets, Macro photography... it's all good. For this assignment you are welcome to look in your archives and post your best photo, or you can set the scene sometime within this week, and show off the type of photography you feel you excel at. If you do go with a shot from your archive, try to make it one you haven't posted before, I am really interested in seeing something new if possible. HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT!

Extra Credit: Write a little about your personal style as a photographer. Why do you like a particular subject? What is the most challenging aspect of photography for you?

**Please Read**

You have until next Sunday evening at 9:00 PM ET to choose a photo, add it to your blog or journal, and then comeback here with the link. REMEMBER... it must be the direct link to the entry specific to this photo shoot assignment, not a general link to your blog, journal or website! NO HYPERLINKS ACCEPTED! Also, please remember to link back here, so other folks can do the assignment as well. :)

Linking List for EMPS #25: Birds. 02/16/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Judi (Gilded Flicker)

2. Suzanne (White Geese)

3. Tammy (A Clear Swan)

4. Vicki (Two birds in silhouette)

5. Jama ( A black bird and a colorful Cockatoo)

6. Liz (A series of photos featuring a white swan)

7. Karen (Ducks at a dog park)

8. T.J. (A Great Egret and some Pelicans)

9. Nancy has two entries for us (A variety of birds and a Blue Heron)

10. Coy (Snowy Egret, Blue Heron and a Swan) WELCOME BACK COY! :)

11. Em Dy (Eagle)

12. Greg (Pink Flamingos and a "white bodied bird from Alaska)

13. Your EG Tour Guide (A swan family)

14. Terri (Seagulls)

15. Wammy (Robin)

16. Gwenlyn (Red winged black birds)

17. Mike (A Penguin and the Blue Angels)

Thanks so much for the awesome turnout! Because of you, I got to see a wonderful variety of birds! I am hoping we can repeat things this week, as we photographers get to know each other a little better! Let's discuss photography!

This Week's Question: What sort of camera was your very first? Do you still own it?

Ok everybody... GO BE PHOTOGRAPHERS! I can't wait to visit all of you this week, and get to know you a little better through your photography! This might also be a good week to invite a friend to join us. Come on everyone... HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT!

-Carly
"The Lone Cypress"
17 Mile Drive
Monterey, California
July 12th 2006

Your Monday Photo Shoot: In Flight

"When you get to the end of all the light you know, and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly."

~Edward Teller

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Capture something in flight. Birds, insects, planes,bats, whatever - if it's getting around in the skies, it's fair game for this shoot.

~John Scalzi (By The Way)

Birdies. I chose three of my favorite seagull photos from my archive of winged creatures to share with you. :) The large photo above was taken in Monterey, along the 17 Mile drive. The second photo in this entry, of the brown seagull, was taken in San Francisco, at Ocean Beach, just outside the Golden Gate. It is also one of the first few photos I took with my digital camera. It was a beautiful, clear and unusually warm January morning in 2005. I know I have shown that particular photo before, but it really is one of my better photographs of a creature in flight. :) And the last photo, the one of the group of seagulls in flight, was taken here in Berkeley, at the marina. It is the view looking toward Richmond, California. I took that photo just a few months back. I like photographing seagulls, they make very agreeable subjects. :)

~OndineMonet
Monterey, Ocean Beach, Berkeley
2006 2005 2007