San Diego Harbor

Recently took a trip to San Diego Bay in the early evening to shoot some frames off for class. Also got to stretch my 55-200mm VR zoom lens' Legs before taking her on the Boat.

Seal Day

Quick trip to a very open Children's pool. Usually, This beach is void of people, open for hundreds of seals to settle up on the beach only. Today, the beach was filled with people, both on the beach and in the water snorkeling with a few seal pups.

Eclipse

                              

                                          Captain Courageous, Careful and Calm, Careens towards Cetacean

                                         

                                             Karl and the Blue Whale... Paddleboarding in for the Krill



Blue Haze

A Spur-of-the-Moment day on the boat brings a beautiful bounty of Blue whale happenings! We venture straight out, using a distant white vessel as our steady way point. As the boat grew larger and larger, closer and closer, a spout is spotted starboard the apparent commercial whale watcher. As we investigated closer, we found ourselves following two giant Blue Whales, the largest animals on Earth! A spout and spray every few minutes kept us tight on their tales, without us getting too mesmerized in their beauty. It wasn't long before the Whales' motives became clear: lurking just below the surface were balls of a tiny shrimp-like animal called krill. The pinkie nail-sized crustacean, ironically, is the main food source for the world's largest Mammal! Out of no where, a large side flipper cuts through the surface followed by a speeding mass of gray flesh as the animal curves through the water, gulping up as much of the red it can grab. Truly a magnificent sight!

                                         Apologies for the poor quality, but this image depicts the feeding 100-ft. Blue Whale

Back in the Game!

Did you see the new National Geographic Magazine? Did you? Did you pick it up, thumb through the pages and find your eyes scanning the Beautiful photographs of California Tidepools? I sure Did!

I found June 2011 Issue inspiring me to venture down to the Tidepools here at La Jolla Shores, just North of the Scripps Pier, It felt incredible to venture down to the beach and see the creatures of the big blue with my newfound energy and Health!

Salvage from the Deep

A Very Special "Thank You" to Aaron for his generous time and effort (As well as letting me borrow his Camera)...

And Titus, My second-unit Director...

A Whale's Tale

Today began as any ol' gray bearded fisherman or sea-farer would tell:

"Ominous was the fog that swallowed any poor souls that dare venture into 'er ocean's mighty grasps!"

Slowly, swell by swell, we ventured deeper into the unknown. With no visibility, we had but GPS to guide us as we gradually headed due West. Swell-by-Swell, we pushed forward. At 3 miles off, we stop to have a cup of sailor's coffee. The warmth satisfies even the most hardened of the crew. We collectively agree to head North to find the creature which we are once again after, the ever elusive Gray Whale.

The more we push forward, North-Bound, the clearer the view becomes. Therefore the throttle is pushed up and we are headed North, wake trailing behind like entrails of the Giant Squid feared by many-a sailor!

Alas! Blue Skies are spotted to the West, and now become our current waypoint! Sunshine hits us o'er head, the heat lights up the cold and drenched crew. We are on our way, one step closer!

But yay! o'er port-bow! A sharp eyed sailor points and whimpers like a Mad Dog, "Dolphins! O'er Yonder Cap'ain!"

Hundreds of dolphins swarm the bow of our mighty vessel, frolicking like puppies in the dampness. Clicks, the sounds of the sirens themselves! The over-powering thrusts of Dolphin tail slapping the surface, followed by a hard pound to the side of our esteemed vessel! A-vast! We're hit by wayward sea lions caught amidst the confusion of the fray! Our beloved Captain surveys the damage: "She still be sea-worthy! Davy Jones not be takin' this mighty ship today! A-vast, ye Scallywags!"

We circle around once more the dolphins at-play, Sun rising high into the afternoon sky. "Thar she blows!" comes a cry from behind the helm! Our Cap'ain spots a spout on the horizon!

"This be a friendly whale, ne'er have I seen such a creature this close!"

We be headin' home much richer and experienced Sailors than e'er before!