Phil Colla

Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Townsley Lake and Cathedral Range at Sunrise, Yosemite National Park

One of my favorite lakes in the Sierra Nevada is Townsley Lake, located a bit above and not far from the Vogelsang High Sierra Camp in Yosemite National Park. Every time I stay at Vogelsang I make sure to spend at least one sunrise at Townsley, where I have always…

Phil CollaJune 23, 2014

Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Lembert Dome Sunset, Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park

Nice pastel light hits the clouds and lights up Lembert Dome rising above Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park, California. An easy hike takes one to the top of Lembert Dome for expansive views of Tuolumne Meadows and the high Sierra Nevada around the eastern side of Yosemite National Park.…

Phil CollaJune 22, 2014

Astrophotography and Night Scapes Desert Joshua Tree The American Southwest

Lunar Eclipse Sequence, Juniper and Standing Rock, Joshua Tree, 2014

For the eclipse of April 14/15, 2014, I wanted to depict the course of the eclipse across the sky with some recognizable landscape features in the foreground to anchor the composition. As the day of the eclipse went by, I watched the weather reports and decided Joshua Tree National Park…

Phil CollaJune 9, 2014

Canyonlands The American Southwest Utah

Mesa Arch Sunrise and Night under the Milky Way, Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Icon alert: this post is about Mesa Arch, a major icon which many now scorn and avoid as a subject of landscape photography, and which is known to have the crowd these days. I've photographed a few icons over the past 30 years, although many of them are underwater and…

Phil CollaJune 7, 2014

Arches Icons The American Southwest Utah

Icon: Sunset over Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Utah

I unapologetically photograph a lot of icons and Delicate Arch is one of my favorites. There are few places in the United States that are more iconic than Delicate Arch in Arches National Park -- it is depicted on a license plate for crying out loud. Places like this are…

Phil CollaJune 1, 2014

Arches Canyonlands New Work

New Work – May 2014

With the exception of one image, all of my new work in May comes from Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, both in southern Utah. I've photographed in these parks a number of times and love them, and will return again and again I'm sure. Both parks lend themselves…

Phil CollaMay 30, 2014

Astrophotography and Night Scapes California

Searching the Skies – Palomar Observatory at Night

My father took my brother and I camping at Mount Palomar a few times when I was a kid. We would fish at Doane Pond (back then it seemed like a lake but now I realize its little more than a puddle), and always visit the Palomar Observatory just up…

Phil CollaMay 29, 2014

Astrophotography and Night Scapes Panoramas San Diego

Panorama of the Full Moon over San Diego City Skyline

I shoot a lot of images of the San Diego City Skyline, to keep them fresh and because I am always looking for a reason to be down along the San Diego Bay at dawn or dusk -- it is such a beautiful city. A few months ago I made…

Phil CollaMay 27, 2014

Arches Astrophotography and Night Scapes The American Southwest Utah

The Eyes of Utah – Natural Arches and the Milky Way

The Eyes of Utah? I think these two images look like "eyes", at least to my eyes they do. The first one sort of looks like an evil serpent's eye, while the second resembles a whale's eye. (If you have never seen a whale up close, you'll just have to…

Phil CollaMay 23, 2014

Arches Astrophotography and Night Scapes The American Southwest

Light Painting Delicate Arch, Utah

The first few times I photographed Delicate Arch in Utah's Arches National Park, most of my compositions were close to the arch. After editing the results of my last visit to the park I resolved to make more distant compositions, for variety's sake and to put the arch into its…

Phil CollaMay 14, 2014

Arches Astrophotography and Night Scapes The American Southwest Utah

Delicate Arch, Milky Way and Iridium Flare at Night, Arches National Park, Utah

I have shot Arches National Park a number of times, including a very fruitful trip some years ago to shoot astrophotography landscapes. I returned earlier this month for more, and found that I have reached a point where I need to find alternatives to the usual compositions. This one was…

Phil CollaMay 13, 2014

Astrophotography and Night Scapes Desert Joshua Tree Panoramas The American Southwest

Lunar Eclipse Sequence over Arch Rock, Joshua Tree National Park, April 2014

The lunar eclipse of April 14 and 15, 2014 was a wonderful event to see. I went up to Joshua Tree National Park to photograph it for two reasons. First, the weather forecast in the high desert was for clear skies and, for the most part, the skies were indeed…

Phil CollaApril 29, 2014

Astrophotography and Night Scapes Desert Joshua Tree The American Southwest

Lunar Eclipse Blood Red Moon Sequence over Joshua Tree National Park

This is the first of my photographic efforts shooting the lunar eclipse the evening of April 14/15 2014. I spent the entire night out under the stars in Joshua Tree National Park, where I often shoot when looking for clear skies and stars at night. I photographed several compositions and…

Phil CollaApril 17, 2014

Astrophotography and Night Scapes Joshua Tree The American Southwest

Venus, Milky Way and Arch Rock at Astronomical Twilight, Joshua Tree National Park

Things are always better at astronomical twilight. Venus was often referred to as the “Morning Star” by ancient civilizations (and as the “Evening Star” as well). On this day, it was indeed the morning star, rising just moments before astronomical twilight began. This allowed for a very brief window of…

Phil CollaApril 11, 2014

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla

Scripps Pier, Clouds and Surf, Black and White, La Jolla, California

Scripps Pier, La Jolla, California. Cloudy day and small surf. This image was photographed with the relatively new Sony A7R camera. I am really impressed with this camera. If you follow my photography you may know I am not a black and white art photographer, but in this case it…

Phil CollaMarch 22, 2014

Beautiful Views of San Diego California San Diego

High Resolution Panorama of San Diego City Skyline and San Diego Bay

Here is another recent panoramic photo of San Diego, photographed on a beautiful spring afternoon. This one spans nearly the entire width of the bay, and includes the yacht marinas of Shelter Island in the foreground. I photographed this with a top quality 300mm f/2.8 lens and high resolution camera,…

Phil CollaMarch 20, 2014

Beautiful Views of San Diego California San Diego

San Diego City Skyline, Full Moon Rising, Sunset

A new photograph of the full moon, just rising over the mountains behind downtown San Diego, with the San Diego County Administration Building seen lit in the foreground. This is actually just a small portion (about 5%) of a huge panorama stretching the entire length of the San Diego City…

Phil CollaMarch 19, 2014

Beautiful Views of San Diego California San Diego

Full Moon Rising over Downtown San Diego, Sunset

A new photograph of the full moon, rising at dusk over a view of downtown San Diego and its beautiful harbor front and city skyline, viewed from Point Loma, California. I have recently made a nice series of new images of the San Diego city skyline, harbor and rising full…

Phil CollaMarch 18, 2014

Beautiful Views of San Diego San Diego

Dawn at the Ocean Beach Pier, San Diego

I recently sold a beautiful 60" print of "Dawn at the Ocean Beach Pier, San Diego" for display in a client's home. I've had images presented in quite a few print publications, museums, aquariums, etc. but the most rewarding sale is to a client who wishes to include my photography…

Phil CollaMarch 14, 2014

Panoramas

Three Panoramas – Yosemite, Mount Rainier and Torrey Pines

A client approached me recently to request several photos for their website, including three panoramic images (which lend themselves well to banners at the top of web pages). The three selected he just happened to be among of my all-time favorites and it will be great to see them together…

Phil CollaMarch 9, 2014

Surf

Eric’s New Board

My friend Eric had a couple of my wave photos laminated onto his custom new board. Eric brought it by this morning before he waxed it so we could get a look at how the images came out. The board looks awesome. The bottom image will end up being mostly…

Phil CollaMarch 7, 2014

Sea Lion Sea of Cortez Underwater Life Underwater Photography

California Sea Lions at Los Islotes, Baja California, Mexico

Los Islotes, the small island just off the northern end of Espiritu Santo in the Sea of Cortez, is my favorite place in the world for photographing California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). These wonderful pinnipeds are very comfortable with the presence of, and famous for the willingness to interact with,…

Phil CollaMarch 3, 2014

Beautiful Views of San Diego California

Oceanside Pier Photos

The Oceanside Municipal Pier is located at the end of Mission Avenue in Oceanside, California. The area has a bit of a gritty look to it but don't let that dissuade you from visiting, the Oceanside Pier is frequented by families, surfers, dog walkers, locals, fishermen and tourists day and…

Phil CollaMarch 1, 2014

Astrophotography and Night Scapes Sierra Nevada

Milky Way over Sky Rock Petroglyph, Volcanic Tablelands, Bishop, California

Milky Way over Sky Rock Petroglyph, Volcanic Tablelands, Bishop, California. I made this image several years ago but neglected to share any images from that evening's photographic efforts on my blog. I have made many visits to the Volcanic Tablelands, at all times of day, to explore the rocks, admire…

Phil CollaFebruary 27, 2014

Islas Coronado Mexico Underwater Life

Whales at the Coronado Islands, Mexico

Whales visit the Coronado Islands in Mexico throughout the year. During winter months, gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) pass by the islands, first southbound and a few months later traveling north, during their annual migration between Baja California and the Bering Sea. Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus)…

Phil CollaFebruary 12, 2014

Islas Coronado Mexico Underwater Life Underwater Photography

Garibaldi Fish, Coronado Islands, Mexico

The most easily recognized, and typically the most prolific, fish at Mexico's Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado) is the brilliant orange Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus). Some underwater areas of the Coronado Islands are urchin barrens (reef areas taken over by fields of sea urchins and devoid of most other marine life) so…

Phil CollaFebruary 10, 2014

Aerial Photography Islas Coronado Mexico

Aerial Photos of Islas Coronado, the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico

Aerial Photos of the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico These new aerial photos of the three main islands in Las Islas Coronado, offshore of Baja California not far from Tijuana (Mexico) and San Diego, came from a nice flight a few weeks ago during a high pressure system, which calmed…

Phil CollaFebruary 8, 2014

Aerial Photography Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla Panoramas

Aerial Panoramas of La Jolla and San Diego

Flying recently while a winter high pressure system hung over Southern California, I was able to take advantage of clear dry air to shoot several aerial panoramic photos of the La Jolla and northern San Diego coastline. These are technically very difficult to realize, both in capturing the source images…

Phil CollaFebruary 7, 2014

Aerial Photography

Gray Whale Aerial Photos, Eschrichtius robustus, California

Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) migrate from the Bering Sea in Alaska down the west coast of the United States to the "calving lagoons" of Baja California. (A small number of grays whales also live in the extreme western Pacific.) This migration is considered the longest of any mammal. Calves are…

Phil CollaJanuary 27, 2014

Galapagos Diaries Marine Life Underwater Life Underwater Photography

Sea Turtle, Galapagos, Black and White

I have made a lot of dives in the Galapagos Islands, and one of my favorite creatures to see underwater is the sea turtle. The ungainly-looking animals are actually quite hydrodynamic and can navigate the surge, currents and waves to graze on algae along the reef. These two turtles were…

Phil CollaJanuary 25, 2014

Mexico Sea of Cortez

Medano Beach Sunrise, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Medano Beach, the beautiful long sand beach fronting the bay of Cabo San Lucas, can be crowded and busy with tourists, but I found that it was peaceful and quiet each morning. Sunrise on Medano Beach, on the coast of Cabo San Lucas, MexicoImage ID: 28948Location: Cabo San Lucas, Baja…

Phil CollaJanuary 24, 2014

New Work

New Work – January 2014

October 2013 through January 2014 took my cameras and me around San Diego for sunrise scenes as well as up into the sky around Cabo San Lucas and over gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) during their southern migration off the coast of Southern California. Below are a few of my favorites…

Phil CollaJanuary 23, 2014

Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

California Brown Pelicans, Winter Plumage, La Jolla

The plumage of La Jolla's California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) has been especially striking this year, it seems there are more really red throats and deep brown necked adult brown pelicans on the bluffs than usual. I also find it interesting how much color variation there is in the bills…

Phil CollaJanuary 20, 2014

Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

La Jolla Bluffs, Gulls, Cormorants and Pelicans

I have not been down to the La Jolla bluffs for a couple weeks to see my favorite seabirds, the California race of the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), so I thought I would take a look this morning. I had hoped the projected swell would be up this morning, allowing…

Phil CollaJanuary 18, 2014

Beautiful Views of San Diego San Diego

Torrey Pines Sunrise in San Diego Magazine

One of my favorite shots from 2013 was featured as a nice-looking spread in the January issue of San Diego Magazine: Torrey Pines State Reserve's famous "Broken Hill" at sunrise, with La Jolla and the Pacific in the background. (Here is a link to the full-width pano: Torrey Pines Broken…

Phil CollaJanuary 17, 2014

Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

California Brown Pelicans in Flight, La Jolla, California

The morning light along our coast has been very nice lately, not to mention our temps have been balmy while the rest of the country is in deep freeze. I've had a couple nice morning sessions photographing my favorite seabirds, the California race of the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), including…

Phil CollaJanuary 6, 2014

Environmental Problems Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

Seabird Entanglement in Monofilament Fishing Line

Unfortunately, I have another image of wildlife entanglement to share, this time a California brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) entangled in monofilament fishing line. This seabird appeared to me to have ingested a hook or lure, so that one end of the monofilament fishing line was down its throat while the…

Phil CollaJanuary 2, 2014

Abstract Birds

Ghost Cormorant

A cormorant speeds home to its nest in the La Jolla seacliffs, flying just above the waves. Shot long before sunrise, this image is blurred from the long time the shutter was open.

Phil CollaJanuary 1, 2014

Best Photographs of the Year

Natural History Photography – Best Images of 2013

My Best Natural History Photos of 2013 Once again the end of the year is upon us and I look back at my photographic works of the preceding 12 months. I did not produce as many new images as in years past but I did manage to create some notable…

Phil CollaDecember 31, 2013

Mexico Sea of Cortez

Aerial Photos of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico

We celebrated the Christmas holiday in Cabo San Lucas. I had hoped to perhaps make a few good images of pristine, lonely, white-sand beaches, the ones I recall from my last visit to Cabo San Lucas in 1985. Alas, resort development has taken over the coastline. So I hired an…

Phil CollaDecember 29, 2013

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