This is another photo from a week ago – it is alway a treat to find these whales close to this wonderful coastline!
Long Beach California Photos
Here is another brand new section to our website: Long Beach California photos.
I gotta admit, Long Beach was a pleasant surprise. It had been many many years since I had last visited Long Beach. I remembered it as a somewhat dirty industrial port. Either my memory was off, or they have made some wonderful changes to the area – probably a bit of both. We only spent one evening there, I had hoped to return for more, but that will have to wait for a future trip.
Imperial Valley Photos
We have a new section on our website of photos of the Imperial Valley, California. This section includes photos of the Salton Sea, Salvation Mountain, Slab City and the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area – all places that I think many people might find a little unique to put it kindly.
Steller Sea Lions
Another photo from last week. I really liked the colors and patterns created by the moss and lichen on the rocks.
This haul-out faces out into the Gulf of Alaska – I don’t think I have ever seen the water this calm, not even the slightest wave!
Palm Springs Photos
Janine has now updated our website with our new photos of the Palm Springs area.
Palm Springs was one of the first communities developed in this portion of desert. In addition, Palm Springs is also where the airport is located, so the whole area is often referred to as Palm Springs, although today it is made up of a series of smaller towns like Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta and Palm Desert to name a few. When I’m driving around down there, I never seem to know exactly what town I’m in.
On the local news they refer to the area as the Coachella Valley although locals don’t seem to like that name, and people outside the area probably haven’t heard of it, so for now, we will still call the area Palm Springs. Our page has photos of most the smaller communities in the area.
In the photo above, of the public golf course, I needed to blend a couple different exposures to maintain detail in the building. Despite being a “public” course, I was asked to leave right after taking this photo – evidently they don’t like the “public” taking picture there.
Can you find the Mountain Goat?
This in another photo from my time in Kenai Fjords National Park last week. Can you spot the mountain goat? It is amazing where these guys live! Below is a little closer photo which will give away the Mountain Goat’s location.
Ken Burns Speaking in Anchorage this Week
The famous filmmaker Ken Burns will be in Anchorage, Alaska this Thursday evening talking about and previewing clips from his newest film: The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. For more details, visit Alaska Geographic.
I was fortunate enough to spend 3 days with Ken and his crew in Kenai Fjords a few years ago while he was working on this film. I gotta say Ken was a fascinating individual. His creativity goes without saying, but he is a wonderful story teller with a hilarious sense of humor – we had lots of laughs on that trip. If you find yourself anywhere near Anchorage on Thursday, hearing Ken speak, and seeing some of his film clips should be highly worthwhile!
Northwestern Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park
Yesterday I took a boat tour into Kenai Fjords National Park and visited the amazing Northwestern Fjord. It had been a few years since I had visited this part of the Park, and I was glad to see the ice hadn’t receded too much, nothing like what we have seen at Exit Glacier. For comparison, the above photo is the right hand portion of the glacier that you see in this 6 year old photo of Northwestern Glacier (by the way, Alaska Magazine did a really nice double page spreed with this photo in this months issue!).
I am so lucky to live next to such amazing country! The Travel Channel calls the coast of Kenai Fjords National Park one of the top 10 natural wonders of the world – for good reason!
Special thanks to Cathy Gonzalez with Log Dreamin’ Bed and Breakfast for helping with my arrangements!
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