2014 brings with it a lot of new opportunities, including a backpacking trip and a surprise we'll be announcing after the new year. We're super excited about all the adventures that await us. Now, without further ado are my top ten.
Heads & Tails - A pair of criss-crossing sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus) at La Jolla Cove.
Dance of the Sea Lions - Young California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) converge to examine the approaching divers, at the Lobster Shack dive site at the Coronado Islands, MX.
Aquanaut - Astronauts Of The Sea - Rebreather Diver coming back from the depths.
Patience - Dive instructor and students at La Jolla Shores, CA.
Strip-O-Bacon - Colored rock strata in the Valley of Fire, Nevada.You can barely see a couple of hikers at the base of the rock tower for scale.
Quenching Thirst - After seeing the forecast, we decided to head to the desert and try to capture the storm. We weren't disappointed, with strong winds, fast moving clouds and rain. While driving along Pegleg Road (S-22) outside of Borrego Springs, the sun exploded through the clouds, illuminating the mountains. At the same time, rain was falling on the windblown sand at our feet.
Storm at La Jolla Cove
2nd Beach, Olympic National Park, WA.Our first outing in the Olympic National Park was to 2nd Beach. After a short 3/4 mile hike through beautiful forest, the trail leads to a set of steps down the hillside and drops you off on a beach that time forgot. Like a set out of jurassic park, the beach is covered in drift trees and off the beach are island 'stacks' with their own mini forests. Bald eagles fly overhead as they return to their nests in the trees off the beach. The sun never broke through the low clouds, but that didn't dampen the beauty of the rugged hidden beach.
Small waterfall along the Hoh River valley trail, Olympic National Park, WA.This small lush waterfall was up the hill from the main trail. We quickly agreed to take the trail to see how close to the waterfall we could get. Once we got up to the base of the falls, the only way to get across was a narrow tree that had fallen across the small ravine created by the stream. I ditched my backpack and with some encouragement from Crtr Grl, I carefully scooted across the log with camera and tripod.I successfully made it across and took my shots along a steep muddy trail that continued up and over the falls. On my way back, I lost my balance and fell into a bush along the side of the stream. As I fell, I was able to hold onto the bush to stop from falling all the way into the small ravine, but I think Crtr Grl's heart stopped. Another scoot across the fallen log and I was back on the right side of the stream. Everything is slippery in a rain forest, even if it hasn't been raining!
Home Is Where I Lay My Bed - Long exposure at the Oceanside Pier, Oceanside CA. After the stormy day, the skies around the pier actually cleared for the sunset. After the sunset, however, clouds started coming in again fast. And yes, that is a hammock. A kid strung it up to the pier pilings in the surf zone and was laying there over the water as the sun went down.
