2016 11-09 Marin & Sonoma
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Big Wednesday yet again. With high surf warnings up and down the coast we decided to trek over to Sonoma and try to find some photogenic big waves. We went to Dillon Beach, just north of Tomales Bay. There are some private camp grounds and RV spots with a wide sandy beach. The surf was wild and started breaking a half mile offshore and not very photographic in my humble opinion.
We stopped at Bodega Bay, The Tides restaurant, to use the restroom. We had spotted a few juvenile harbor seals near the beach and Tides parking lot. I set up with my big lens and a doubler, but alas, the shots were heavily back-lit at this spot. Meanwhile, Suellen had been nosing around and found more pinnipeds behind a commercial fish loading building and small dock. This was a jackpot location and wonderful photo op.
The fish cleaning guys were hosing scraps of fish into the water from time to time and a resident cadre of 3 adult male California sea lions and 1 adult harbor seal were patiently waiting. This put the animals about 20 feet away from my lens and, when they were not shaded by the gangway to the dock, there was good light.
I shot extreme close ups for about 45 minutes. Some were so close the animal’s head filled the frame. It was a wonderful and lucky discovery.
From Bodega we headed for Hawk Hill along the Marin Headlands. This location has outstanding views of the Golden Gate with the City and Bay behind. I captured some post card-like images here. A naturalist for Hawk Hill directed us down a long winding road near Point Bonita Lighthouse and north to Rodeo Beach. Here the surf was big and breaking both near the beach and on Centissima Reef which lies offshore.
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Read MoreBig Wednesday yet again. With high surf warnings up and down the coast we decided to trek over to Sonoma and try to find some photogenic big waves. We went to Dillon Beach, just north of Tomales Bay. There are some private camp grounds and RV spots with a wide sandy beach. The surf was wild and started breaking a half mile offshore and not very photographic in my humble opinion.
We stopped at Bodega Bay, The Tides restaurant, to use the restroom. We had spotted a few juvenile harbor seals near the beach and Tides parking lot. I set up with my big lens and a doubler, but alas, the shots were heavily back-lit at this spot. Meanwhile, Suellen had been nosing around and found more pinnipeds behind a commercial fish loading building and small dock. This was a jackpot location and wonderful photo op.
The fish cleaning guys were hosing scraps of fish into the water from time to time and a resident cadre of 3 adult male California sea lions and 1 adult harbor seal were patiently waiting. This put the animals about 20 feet away from my lens and, when they were not shaded by the gangway to the dock, there was good light.
I shot extreme close ups for about 45 minutes. Some were so close the animal’s head filled the frame. It was a wonderful and lucky discovery.
From Bodega we headed for Hawk Hill along the Marin Headlands. This location has outstanding views of the Golden Gate with the City and Bay behind. I captured some post card-like images here. A naturalist for Hawk Hill directed us down a long winding road near Point Bonita Lighthouse and north to Rodeo Beach. Here the surf was big and breaking both near the beach and on Centissima Reef which lies offshore.
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