September 2010

Aerial Photography California San Clemente Island

San Clemente Island Aerial Photograph

Aerial photograph of San Clemente Island, California San Clemente Island Pyramid Head, the distinctive pyramid shaped southern end of the island. San Clemente Island Pyramid Head, showing geologic terracing, underwater reefs and giant kelp forests Image ID: 26003 Location: San Clemente Island, California, USA San Clemente Island is where I…

Phil CollaSeptember 30, 2010

Aerial Photography California Catalina

Catalina Island Aerial Photograph

Aerial photograph of Catalina Island I was very fortunate recently to have the opportunity to fly over Catalina Island, and was able to take a few photographs of the West End of the island. Growing up in Newport Beach I used to visit Catalina fairly often as a kid, and…

Phil CollaSeptember 29, 2010

Astrophotography and Night Scapes

Photo of Jupiter and moons Europa, Callisto and Ganymede

Photo of Jupiter and its moons Europa, Callisto and Ganymede Last night as I put my daughter to bed, we looked out her window. The moon was bright and clear, and below and just to the right of the moon was an especially bright star. When we noticed smaller specks…

Phil CollaSeptember 23, 2010

Antarctica Penguin Southern Ocean

Cuverville Island, Antarctica

Photos of Gentoo Penguins on Cuverville Island, Antarctica Gentoo penguin tending to its two chicks. The nest is made of small stones.Image ID: 25551Species: Gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papuaLocation: Cuverville Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica We are gradually working our way south along the western flanks of the Antarctica Peninsula. This afternoon…

Phil CollaSeptember 22, 2010

Antarctica Humpback Whale Southern Ocean

Cierva Cove, Antarctica

Photos of Cierva Cove, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica We begin our morning today in Cierva Cove, directly south from yesterday’s landing at Bailey Head on Deception Island. Cierva Cove is said to be a good location to see marine mammals. However, this morning the skies are dark and the air is…

Phil CollaSeptember 20, 2010

California Redwood Trees

Coast Redwood Tree, Sequoia sempervirens

Stock photos of Sequoia sempervirens, the Coast Redwood Tree. Sequoia sempervirens, also known as the Coast Redwood, Giant Redwood, or simply Redwood Tree, is the tallest species of tree in the world. The Coast Redwood tree is the only member of the genus Sequoia, part of the Cypress tree family.…

Phil CollaSeptember 17, 2010

Elk Redwood

Roosevelt Elk, Cervus canadensis roosevelti

Photos of Roosevelt Elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) in Redwood National Park The Roosevelt Elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) is the largest of the four surviving subspecies of elk in North America. Roosevelt elk are found in temperate rainforests and meadows of the Pacific Northwest, including Olympic and Redwood National Park. Only…

Phil CollaSeptember 15, 2010

California Redwood Trees

Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Redwood National Park

Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwood National Park is gorgeous. From clover and ferns covering the soil to tall rhododendron bushes at eye level to the coast redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens) and Douglas firs towering above, this grove seems to harbor countless shades of green and brown. I spent two…

Phil CollaSeptember 8, 2010

California Sierra Nevada Yosemite

A Return to Vogelsang High Sierra Camp

Photos of Vogelsang High Sierra Camp in Yosemite National Park Last month I made a brief return trip to Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, following my first visit in 2009. This time my father joined me, and we had a chance to spend a few days together in some of the…

Phil CollaSeptember 7, 2010