A Ventura Thanksgiving

Spent time with Extended Family in Ventura CA for the holidays.

Feeding Frenzied Fray

The Boat went out on a Great Wednesday! We found some Bottlenosed dolphin, as well as 4-5 feeding Blue/Fin Whales! Quite a sight, although I'll never live down not having my snorkel gear: The water was easily 50-100ft viz. At least I got to see some whales up close and personal! Also got to meet and watch Richard Herrmann at Work, shooting both from a boat and the water! Check out his images from the day on the "Behind the Scenes" portion of his website: richardherrmann.com

Tidepools.

Went to the Tidepools just North of Scripps Pier a bit later in the afternoon yesterday. Quite a difficult shoot carrying a 15 lbs camera system while navigating over slippery sharp rocks barefoot all the while racing the sun.

In the (Sea) Lions' Den

Dan and I took a snorkel around the cove on Wednesday November 9 where we came into contact with a very unhappy sea lion, who was kind enough to show a threat display. Here's to you Daniel!

Snorkel for the Kill!

My World-renowned dive buddy, Daniel, went out in search of spearin' some fishies. Alas, the Hunt was fruitless, excempt a few pictures.

Details

On-Campus Photo Shoot for class concerning details and textures. Got to use "ol' Blue", my 60mm Macro lens.

Breaking In the Lens

Woke up yesterday morning and first thing first: quick trip to the restroom. In the short time it took for me to use the commode and return to my bedside, my dutiful Neighbor called me and left a message, one of most spectacular luck: We are launching!

I accept the call of the Big Blue, and We're off on voyage for adventure 7-miles off the coast of Southern California, My hometown! Today will be the day I break in my new Whalin' Lens, a Nikon 55-200mm Zoom complete with Vibration Reduction technology.

We first cross paths with a small pod of dolphins, and head out further until we spot our first spout on the horizon: our first Blue of the day!

Throughout our incredibley fortunate and fruitful triup we spot a total of 3 Blue whales and My first Fin whale, the second largest animal on Earth!

PS My Whalin' Lens worked like a charm! Its my Baby!

                                          ^A Fin Whale, the Greyhounds of the sea, discernable from the Blues for their well-defined Fin