La Jolla

Beautiful Views of San Diego California La Jolla

Mount Soledad Cross, La Jolla, California

La Jolla's Mount Soledad Cross is a 29-foot Latin cross made of concrete standing atop Mt. Soledad, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The current Mt. Soledad Cross was built in 1954, but a previous cross stood on the spot since 1913. The Mount Soledad Cross has been the subject of much…

adminMay 10, 2011

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla San Diego

Photos of Scripps Pier, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Photos of Scripps Pier, La Jolla Below is the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Research Pier, the pier that supports the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California. The original wooden Scripps Pier was built in 1915 and was replaced by the modern cement pier in 1988. On the hill…

adminFebruary 7, 2011

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla Morro Bay

Earth Shadow Photographs

Photographs of Earth Shadow Earth Shadow is an atmospheric phenomenon most easily seen on a cloudless morning with a relatively clear horizon. But you have to get up early to see it, since it occurs before sunrise! Have you ever seen those layers of blue, purple and pink along the…

adminFebruary 6, 2011

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla Seascapes

Torrey Pines Sunset

Torrey Pines State Park Sunset Tracy and I were treated to a spectacular sunset cloud show at the Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla recently. These two photographs were made just a few minutes apart. The first looks south along Black's Beach towards La Jolla, with the Scripps Institution of…

adminJanuary 25, 2011

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla San Diego

La Jolla Photos

La Jolla Photos I have been having fun recently making new photographs of one of my favorite cities in California: La Jolla. I spent about 10 years living in La Jolla, first in undergrad and graduate school at UCSD then a while longer before moving to North County (Del Mar,…

adminJanuary 19, 2011

California La Jolla Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

La Jolla Pelicans

I was recently contacted by a fellow from outside the country who would like to visit La Jolla to photograph, among other things, California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus), but was concerned about access to the bluff where these birds are best photographed. Since I had not been down to…

adminDecember 24, 2010

La Jolla

Paragliding, Torrey Pines Gliderport

A photo of a paraglider at sunset, viewed over the Pacific ocean from the Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla, California. I shot this yesterday at sunset, wearing shorts, flip flops (my lucky pair!), and a t-shirt. Sorry Rest-Of-The-Country, you can have your Big Apple and Windy City and Rockies…

adminMarch 1, 2010

La Jolla Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

Sunrise Pelican

On a recent winter morning I found this adult California brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) displaying the species' characteristic winter breeding plumage (note the chestnut hindneck) posing nicely as the distant sky took on the pre-sunrise purple glow. This is basically straight out of the camera. I did not adjust…

adminFebruary 15, 2010

La Jolla Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

Brown Pelicans

This morning I photographed brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) in La Jolla. I really don't need any more photos of pelicans but the setting is so beautiful that I keep returning. I've enjoyed these cliffs for 30 years. (We used to cliff dive off of them in college but now…

adminFebruary 13, 2010

Abstract La Jolla

Layers, Abstract Photo

Another abstract cloud photo. I like using a medium telephoto lens to isolate landscape elements, and patterns in clouds are no exception. This was probably shot with a 70-200 on Velvia film, vintage. Moments after the green flash, orange skies over La Jolla. Today's abstract photo, #12 of 15. Clouds…

adminJune 16, 2009

Environmental Problems La Jolla Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

Pelican Entangled in Plastic Bag

Discarded plastics and styrofoam are destroying our environment. They wreak havoc especially hard on marine wildlife. I recently came across a textbook example of how such trash can injure and kill in the form of this unfortunate brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) which is entangled in what appears to be…

adminMarch 6, 2009

California La Jolla Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird Wildlife

Pelicans in La Jolla

I went down to La Jolla this morning to see how many brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) are there. (The California race of brown pelicans has been experiencing a mysterious malady this year, with many pelicans being found weak and disoriented far away from their usual habitat.) I had not…

adminFebruary 28, 2009

California La Jolla

San Clemente Island and Mount Soledad, La Jolla

The sun had set and we were en route back to land the helicopter. Rather than spacing out as I am wont to do, for some reason I was paying attention and just happened to notice this juxtaposition of La Jolla's Mount Soledad and distant San Clemente Island. I rattled…

adminFebruary 11, 2009

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla San Diego

Children’s Pool, La Jolla

Children's Pool, also known as Casa Cove, is a pretty contentious place these days. The Children's Pool is a simple pocket cove protected by a manmade seawall. It has a fine sand beach, calm waters and fairly good snorkeling. And harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are often found on the beach,…

adminJanuary 30, 2009

California La Jolla

Bear, Stuart Collection, UCSD

Bear is one of the newer pieces in the Stuart Collection of Art at University of California, San Diego (alma mater). Bear is another of the odd outdoor "art" pieces of the UCSD Stuart Collection. Created by Tim Hawkinson in 2001 of eight large stones, it sits in the courtyard…

adminJuly 8, 2008

La Jolla Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

Photo of a Brown Pelican Preening

Here is a California brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) preening. Using it's long bill, the pelican spreads preen oil from its uropygial gland (near its tail) and spreads it over its wings and head. The preen oil helps to keep the feathers clean and dry. Check out the bird's coloration, it…

adminFebruary 8, 2008

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla Seascapes

Abstract Water Photo

This abstract water photograph is a blurred time exposure of the ocean surface in La Jolla. Abstract colors and water patterns on the ocean surface. Image ID: 20343

adminFebruary 6, 2008

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla San Diego Seascapes

Photo of La Jolla Cove at Sunrise

Check out the deep pink skies, it was a super sunrise the morning I shot this. Probably due to smog or something. This is famous La Jolla Cove, one of the jewels of San Diego and home to good diving and snorkling, bird and whale watching, and rough-water swimming. It…

adminFebruary 4, 2008

La Jolla Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

Pelican Bluff at Sunrise

This is the bluff on which the bird photographers take their photos of the California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) in their breeding plumage. Note the distinct absence of photographers -- this is unusual and due to the early hour (well before sunrise). I like to get to the bluff very…

adminFebruary 3, 2008

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla

Photo of La Jolla Cave at Sunrise

The biggest of the caves in La Jolla is seen here at sunrise. The other caves are around to the right. Atop this sandstone bluff are found many seabirds, particularly in winter when California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) and cormorants can be seen here in their breeding plumage. Few birds…

adminFebruary 2, 2008

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla San Diego Seascapes

Photo of the La Jolla Cliffs at Sunrise

The La Jolla Cliffs early in the morning, under a pink sunrise. Marine Room restaurant is on the far left, and the famous caves are seen at the base of the cliffs. Check out the thousands of cormorants resting on the cliffs. They will eventually fly out to forage on…

adminFebruary 1, 2008

La Jolla Sea Lion

Photo of La Jolla Sea Lions

There is a big spawning aggregation of market squid assembled on the sand flats at about 60' off of La Jolla Shores beach right now. As a consequence, many California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) are now in the area, feeding on the squid and hauling out on rocks to rest…

adminJanuary 23, 2008

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla

Photo of UCSD Library at Night

This is Geisel Library, the central library at University of California, San Diego (alma mater). These two particular photos are composites, each consisting of three images with varying exposures, combined on the computer. Without using this approach, known as HDR (high dynamic range), the shadows would be totally black and…

adminJanuary 11, 2008

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla San Diego

Photo of Geisel Library at Dusk

This is Geisel Library, the central library at University of California, San Diego (alma mater). Photos taken at dusk when the light emanating from the library are about equal with sunset. Since the light is balanced, a decent photograph can be achieved with just a single frame. Tomorrow I'll post…

adminJanuary 10, 2008

California La Jolla Photo of the Day Sea Lion Wildlife

Photos of Sea Lions in La Jolla

La Jolla is well known for its population of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi), but it boasts California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) as well. When the movable feast of market squid (Loligo opalescens) arrives to lay its carpets of eggs on the edge of the undersea La Jolla Canyon, California…

adminMay 8, 2007

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla San Diego Seascapes

Black’s Beach Sunset

Black's Beach, famous for its isolation, surf and fashion sense, assumes a sublime evening glow. Viewed from top of the Indian Trail, north of the hang glider port. A bit of Torrey Pines golf course is visible in the upper right. The beach below was one of my favorite runs…

adminMay 2, 2007

California La Jolla Photo of the Day Wildlife

Photos of Cormorants in Flight

Cormorants (Phalacrocorax sp.) flying low over the ocean, speeding offshore before sunrise to forage for food before returning to rest on cliffs later in the day. La Jolla. Double-crested cormorants in flight at sunrise, long exposure produces a blurred motion.Image ID: 15280Species: Double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritusLocation: La Jolla, California, USA…

adminFebruary 16, 2007

California La Jolla Surf

Boomer Beach Bodysurf

Some heavy surf this morning in La Jolla. It's difficult to get a good shot of this wave as it is crumbly and not particularly attractive, the angle from shore is straight on and the wave is not hollow. Here are a couple guys who took off while I was…

adminFebruary 2, 2007

California La Jolla San Diego

Photos of Birch Aquarium, La Jolla

The Birch Aquarium is located at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Completed in 1992, the aquarium was named for benefactors Stephen and Mary Birch. The Birch Aquarium contains over 60 tanks, including a 70,000 gallon kelp forest exhibit and 13,000 gallon shark tank. It is located on a bluff overlooking…

adminNovember 7, 2005

California Harbor Seal La Jolla

Humane Society Sues to Protect Seals

From the San Diego Union Tribune: U.S. Humane Society sues S.D., demands rope barrier for seals By Ray Huard UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER February 26, 2005 The Humane Society of the United States filed suit yesterday against the city of San Diego, demanding that officials restore a rope barrier at La…

adminFebruary 26, 2005

California Harbor Seal La Jolla

Photos of La Jolla Seals

Controversy over the La Jolla seals continues. To make a long story short: a group of Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) has taken up residence on the sand at the Children's Pool, a small pocket cove in La Jolla, California also known as Casa Cove. Their presence there has led…

adminFebruary 1, 2005

Mount Soledad Cross, La Jolla, California

Photos of Scripps Pier, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Earth Shadow Photographs

Torrey Pines Sunset

La Jolla Photos

La Jolla Pelicans

Paragliding, Torrey Pines Gliderport

Sunrise Pelican

Brown Pelicans

Layers, Abstract Photo

Pelican Entangled in Plastic Bag

Pelicans in La Jolla

San Clemente Island and Mount Soledad, La Jolla

Children’s Pool, La Jolla

Bear, Stuart Collection, UCSD

Photo of a Brown Pelican Preening

Abstract Water Photo

Photo of La Jolla Cove at Sunrise

Pelican Bluff at Sunrise

Photo of La Jolla Cave at Sunrise

Photo of the La Jolla Cliffs at Sunrise

Photo of La Jolla Sea Lions

Photo of UCSD Library at Night

Photo of Geisel Library at Dusk

Photos of Sea Lions in La Jolla

Black’s Beach Sunset

Photos of Cormorants in Flight

Boomer Beach Bodysurf

Photos of Birch Aquarium, La Jolla

Humane Society Sues to Protect Seals

Photos of La Jolla Seals

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