2020 04-25 and 04-26 Big Sur-Monterey
-
This was our annual expedition to Big Sur to photograph northbound gray whale mothers with calves. We planned to use the wonderful, steep, and very high cliffs along this central California coastline to get a unique, almost aerial view, of our beach-hugging mammals. Our plans were made to coincide with the peak of the cow-calf migration. Perhaps we might also see a few sea otters in Moss Landing or Monterey…or sea lions, or harbor seals.
History will recall that the COVID-19 pandemic was keeping the world locked-down and wearing face masks during this time period. We avoided crowds by staying in our RV trailer in an almost-empty camp spot next to the harbor in Moss Landing. The drive to and from the Big Sur photo spot was about 45 minutes. There was no traffic and the cliff-top sites were vacant. Mornings featured dense fog that burned off by mid-day. It was very windy at times, and in fact blew my truck door out of my hands and bent it out of alignment so I had to have it replaced.
We made the cliff top pilgrimage both days and spent about 1½ hours each time looking for gray whales without success. Considering they migrate 24/7 it is surely just random chance at play. On the other hand, other species were photographed as the situation arose…you have to take what Mother Nature provides.
Later in the day on 04-25 we spent some time doing a tailgate lunch and photographing a very tame and extremely relaxed young male sea lion.
-
Read MoreThis was our annual expedition to Big Sur to photograph northbound gray whale mothers with calves. We planned to use the wonderful, steep, and very high cliffs along this central California coastline to get a unique, almost aerial view, of our beach-hugging mammals. Our plans were made to coincide with the peak of the cow-calf migration. Perhaps we might also see a few sea otters in Moss Landing or Monterey…or sea lions, or harbor seals.
History will recall that the COVID-19 pandemic was keeping the world locked-down and wearing face masks during this time period. We avoided crowds by staying in our RV trailer in an almost-empty camp spot next to the harbor in Moss Landing. The drive to and from the Big Sur photo spot was about 45 minutes. There was no traffic and the cliff-top sites were vacant. Mornings featured dense fog that burned off by mid-day. It was very windy at times, and in fact blew my truck door out of my hands and bent it out of alignment so I had to have it replaced.
We made the cliff top pilgrimage both days and spent about 1½ hours each time looking for gray whales without success. Considering they migrate 24/7 it is surely just random chance at play. On the other hand, other species were photographed as the situation arose…you have to take what Mother Nature provides.
Later in the day on 04-25 we spent some time doing a tailgate lunch and photographing a very tame and extremely relaxed young male sea lion.
-
Checkerspot butterfly and Pride of Madeira flowers
Euphydryas chalcedona variable checkerspot butterfly on Echium Fastuosum Candicans Pride of Madeira flowers 2020 04-25 Big Sur--006
EuphydryaschalcedonavariablecheckerspotbutterflyEchiumFastuosumCandicansPrideMadeiraflowers2020BigSur006
