Pismo Beach

This week we're jumping from the desert to the beach. We wanted to take our granddaughter somewhere before starting school, so we took a two night "mini-vacation" to Pismo Beach. We live in S CA, and Pismo is in Central CA... cooler temps, not as built up or crowded. Much nicer in my book. My big dilemma was whether or not to haul along my big camera and a couple lenses or just rely on my iPhone. I doubted I would have the opportunity to do any serious photography. On the other hand, if there were great photo opportunities, I would be kicking myself. So after a little grumbling, I took my DSLR, 100-400mm tele lens, and 17-35mm wide angle. Just in case. You never know.

Turns out, I'm really glad I took it.

My wife took this photo of me taking pictures. I had spotted this bench on the far corner of the motel property and it looked like a perfect spot for some sunset shots. But things were cloudy and a little foggy, so I wasn't sure I was going to get anything good. I think it was about this time I heard my wife calling me (she was at the pool with Lilly). She was calling my attention to the sun becoming visible from behind the clouds. It looked very cool, and looked more like the moon than the sun. In the photo above, you can just make out the sun if you look closely.

I was focused on the cool looking clouds and fog rolling in from the distance and hadn't even noticed the sun.

I think it was at this moment it struck me: So glad I brought my DSLR and a couple lenses along on this trip!! No more grumbling.

Do you see the arch? I call this "Pismo Arch", although that may not be its real name.

A closer view of Pismo Arch. This area was loaded with birds. Actually it looked like bird real estate was at a premium. It looked to me (a total novice) like cormorants and pelicans were the dominate birds. I found myself waiting for birds to fly by so I could get some shots without birds in the frame!

On the second afternoon, things started out a little cloudy and foggy. I like the mystery created by the fog, and rarely get to take photos in conditions like this.

Then I noticed the sky start to open up.

For a moment, there was a well defined hole in the sky with a ray of light. Very cool!

Lens change (telephoto to wide angle). After the clouds burned off, we had blue sky for a while. I managed to get both a bird (not too hard) and the moon in this shot. This is looking the opposite direction (down the coast toward the Pismo Beach pier).

As sunset approached, the sky went kind of crazy. Orange/purple/red/gold all seemed to blend together. And everything, including the hills and the water, took on the sky colors.

It was an amazing show. Even the people down on the beach seemed to stop in their tracks to watch the sun drop behind the hills and enjoy the sky colors.

Except for this lady, who was busy flying her kite!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Thanks for stopping by!!