Settings: ISO 100, f/11, 1/60s

I wish I could have gotten a better perspective on this waterfall, I would guess it is over 150ft.  You can see a full tree trunk in the pool below it.  

Settings: ISO 100, f/18, 1s

I am a very big advocate for the "Leave No Trace" principles.  It is not normal of me, but today I went off the beaten path and followed the creek instead of the trail.  This idea stemmed from the last time I hiked in Cooper Canyon, high in the Angeles National Forest.  This trail starts very close to the water but ends up staying high on the canyon walls while the stream cuts deep into the canyon.  Walking down the trail you can hear thunderous roars from a pretty far distance.  Much like when you can smell a Cinnabon from a mile away but may never find the actual delicious dessert (breakfast?), I was on a quest to find the source of the noise, I wanted to find the Cinnabon!  To my incredible surprise, I found three incredible waterfalls.  They were not easy to get to, and I don't recommend trying it, but it was totally worth the effort.  I post this photo first because everyone seems to think it looks like a snake.  I will be posting my newly found waterfalls soon.  

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/CooperCanyonFalls_4472.asp

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So last week my first CSA box came in, here are some photos of it...

Settings: ISO 100, f/22, 2s

Obviously I have a thing for water.  I won't apologize though, I love it too much.  This shot was taken this morning at Codfish Falls in Placer County.  We only had a little time to hike and photographize. The road to the start of the hike is a little treacherous and 4WD is recommended.  Once you get on the trail though, it couldn't be smoother.  You follow the North Fork of the American river which, right now, is bursting with wildflowers.  After a little over a mile you cut up Codfish Creek and shortly you arrive at the falls.  We got there about 10:00 in the morning so there was direct sunlight on the falls but this shot was taken just below it in the shade.  Over all a great hike although it can get very hot and snaky in the summer.  Enjoy!

http://members.psyber.com/asra/tgcod.pdf

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Settings: ISO 400, f/11, 1/1000s

Happy Easter! It has been quite a while since I posted, life has been a little busy, but I should be back on track!  

This shot was taken  at Cronan Ranch Regional Park in Coloma (Northern CA).  I thought the wildflowers would be better but luckily the iris decided to stay around for us.  It was a fairly easy hike with great views of beautiful green rolling hills and even paragliders! This park could get pretty hot in the summer but in April it is perfect, enjoy!

http://www.coloma.com/recreation/cronan-ranch.php

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Settings: ISO 80, f/4.0, 1/320 s

This shot is from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in Minnesota/Canada.  I don't remember the exact lake it was taken on but it was on the back end of our 8 day trip.  I love the diagonal limb and the lily that is opening up.  The Boundary Waters are unsurpassed in their remoteness and prestine waters.  I can't wait to get back there. Best months are mid June to early September.  

http://www.recreation.gov/permits/map_of_Boundary_Waters_Canoe_Area_Wilderness/r/wildernessAreaMap.do?page=map&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72600&topTabIndex=Permits

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This pano was taking of Mt. Whitney.  The hike was incredible although crowded and icy when we did it.  My group did it all in one day, not recommendable, doable, just not that fun.  We started at 3am and got back to camp at 7pm.  I can't wait to summit again via the JMT!

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/location/ca/hik_whit.htm

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Settings: ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/400s

This photo was taken at the beginning of the Fish Canyon Falls hike.  Nothing like wildflowers in February!  The shot is looking back into the valley.  I like the contrast between the flowers and the city, empitomizes LA.  The hike is very tough, but worth it! 

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/avalon/los-angeles-takeahike-3.html

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Settings: ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/125s

This anemone was found in Pelican Bay on Santa Cruz Island.  We took a morning ferry out from Oxnard and took a hike with a guide on the Nature Conservancy Land from Prisoner's Harbor to Pelican Bay.  I highly recommend the trip!  Not too difficult a hike and incredible scenery . 

http://www.islandpackers.com/santacruz.html

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Settings: ISO 400, f/13, 1/10s

This is Cooper Canyon Falls. The trail is pretty nice although it is steep at one point to drop you down to the creek.  You have to do a little off roading to get down to the bottom of the falls where this picture is taken, but worth it.  This was taken in January and there was a little snow and ice around.  I really like how the longer shutter made it look like the falls were actually frozen solid.  I can't wait to go back when it warms up and jump in!   

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/CooperCanyonFalls_4472.asp

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Settings: ISO 100, f/22, 1/25s

This is Escondido Falls in the Santa Monica Mountains.  I went the day after it rained in hopes the water fall would be gushing.  While it was not by any means overflowing, there was still a good amount of water.  The hike to the falls isn't bad.  You park in a lot off PCH, hike through some gorgeous houses and then drop in for an easy stroll up a canyon to the bottom falls.  It is well worth scrambling off to the right above the first small falls to come to this one.  There is some poison oak, but you should be ok it you watch out.  I really love the colors in the photo, the green and yellows contrast great with the blue sky.    

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/EscondidoFalls_4472.asp

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Settings: ISO 100, f/22, 4.0s, ND Filter

Another shot from Sturtevant Falls.  Enjoy. 

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/SantaAnita_4472.asp

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Settings: ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/500s

I am no bird expert, which is why I have no idea what type of bird this is, but I do know that it is photogenic.  This was taken at Linda Mar beach in Pacifica.  There are some tide pools on the north side and the surf is beginner friendly.  Great place to talk a walk, lots of dogs as well.    

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Settings: ISO 100, f/16, 1/50s

This photo was taken from near Glacier Point on our hike to Half Dome in October.  It was pretty awesome to see Half Dome with the fall colors.  

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/halfdome2_0000.asp

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Settings: ISO 400, f/8, 1/80s

Sitting in my room right now with the window wide open to keep me awake it reminded me of the hike to Switzer Falls I took earlier in the fall.  It was a cool autumn day in LA (about 73 degrees).  The hike down to Switzer Falls is pretty easy although you have to cross the creek a number of times which gets old.  Once you get down to the fork in the trail you have a choice to make.  Go to the left to see Switzer Falls, or go to the right to go to the super secret pool (not really secret).  I usually do both as both aren't that far.  I especially recommend going to the pool as you can jump off the side into it or slide down the rocks, both are equally fun.  Enjoy the trip!

Settings: ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/100s

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Switzer_4472.asp

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Settings: ISO 400, f/13, 1/320s

So its Wednesday of finals week and your two friends from downstairs just finished their finals, what do you do?  Naturally you go grab your surfboard and camera and head to Malibu at 4:00.  Fortunately there was an incredible sunset as the waves weren't very good.  Just goes to show you, spontaneity results in great memories (and pictures) .

No hike for this one, just park along PCH and climb down the cliffs.  

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Settings: ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/80s

So I got up early this morning to study and do some other work.  I really feel like this photo is a classic early morning shot with the light still filling in the valley.  This photo was taken only a few hours after the photo I posted yesterday!  I currently feel just about as hazy as El Cap does.  Enjoy your day!

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Settings: ISO 1600, f/3.5, 30.0s

The first night of our Yosemite trip in October we made it through the park entrance and to the famous Tunnel View lookout at about 12:30am.  I had no idea what I was doing but had to try to capture the valley.  Turned out pretty well!  It is grainy because the ISO was so high, but I now have a wired remote to hold the shutter open as long as I want.  I can't wait to get back here and try again!

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ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/40s

It feels like a "springy" day here is LA which is why I posted this photo.  I can't give you a trail head to this one as it was taken at my home in the Bay Area.  Kudos to dad for growing photogenic roses.