1898 FERRY BUILDING & CLOCK TOWER
San Francisco, California

The Ferry Building is an impressive structure on the Embarcadero. There are wonderful farmer’s markets, restaurants, and shops for nearly everyone’s taste. I took this photograph from the Larkspur Ferry as it was arriving at the Ferry Building. The links below will offer the rich history of the building.

http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/

http://www.eastbayferry.com/where/ferrybuilding.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferry_Building

http://ferrybuildingmap.com/

http://www.sanfranshuttletours.com/ferry_building.htm

Woman on rocks, South Yuba River State Park, near Nevada City, California.

I was on a bridge high above the rushing South Yuba River when I saw this woman carefully walking on the steep rocks. I admired her courage and skill in navigating the slippery rocks. A fall was certain to be critical. As she walked toward me, I took this photograph. Click on the links to learn more about the interesting South Yuba River State Park.
http://www.nccn.net/~syitrail/

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=496

http://www.nevadacitychamber.com/area_hike.htm

LOMBARD STREET "THE CROOKEDEST STREET IN THE WORLD"
Russian Hill, San Francisco, California

This is a very steep and crooked street with beautiful gardens. I took this photograph from the bottom of the street. Click on the links below for more information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lombard_Street_(San_Francisco)

http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/casfmenu/a/lombard.htm

http://www.viamagazine.com/top_stories/articles/lombard01.asp

Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii), Butler Playground, Lithia Park, Ashland, Oregon.

This Western Screech-Owl, sitting about 20 feet up in a tree(Megascops kennicottii), is near and dear to my heart. It was the first wild Owl that I saw and photographed.

This female Owl appeared to enjoy watching children. She would sit intensely in a hole in the tree and look down at the children in the playground.

Whenever I walked from the parking lot and heard the joyful sounds of children, I knew I could count on the owl being present.

Another day I watched how it stretched way out of the hole to watch an Eagle and then slowly shrank down its hole.

She became a well-known and beloved Ashland resident.

This is my first wildlife photograph that I sold at a one-person show in Ashland, Oregon. The same image hangs in the park office of Ashland Parks and Recreation Department.

Click on the links to read more about the Western Screech-Owl.

http://www.desertusa.com/mag05/nov/owl.html

http://www.peregrinefund.org/Explore_Raptors/owls/wscreech.html

http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Megascops&species=kennicottii

De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, San Luis Obispo, California.

The De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, Short Take-Off and Landing utility transport, was sitting at the end of the tarmac when I was visiting the airport .

A reliable and beautiful single engine aircraft, I decided to take this photograph of the engine.

To see what the rest of the aircraft looks like and learn about it click on the links below to learn about this versatile aircraft.

http://www.nzwarbirds.org.nz/bvr.html

http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/AC/aircraft/DeHavilland-Beaver/Beaver.php

Pigeon Point Light Station SHP, Pescadero, CA

I moved as far away from the lighthouse, currently closed to the public, as I could to take this photograph. It was clear that the lighthouse could use repair and, a fence kept visitors from getting too close. I appreciate the lore of lighthouses and this one is no exception. See the link for additional information about the Pigeon Point Light Station SHP.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=533

Mary D. Hume, Gold Beach, Oregon.

During a visit to Gold Beach, I noticed this prominent shipwreck along the highway and near the marina. Although it was a very windy day, I quickly got out of the vehicle and took this photograph. The story of the ship is well worth reading. Follow the link or additional information.

http://explorenorth.com/library/yafeatures/bl-whaling.htm

Coastline near McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, California.

I drove from Monterey Bay to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park along the spectacular coast to visit the McWay Falls. I arrived when there was fog moving in.

One path that leads to an over-view above the falls also has a beautiful view of the Big Sur coastline. I enjoyed this view before taking this photograph.

I watched many people stand at the same spot and admire the coastline.

There is more about the park and the falls in the link.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578

Solitary Starburst Anemone (Anthopleura sola), McAbee Beach, Cannery Row, Monterey Bay, California.

I was searching the tide pool at low tide when I discovered this Solitary Starburst Anemone (Anthopleura sola). I looked at the textures, colors, and all of the sand and debris on it. This was the first Anemone that I photographed and the first one I have seen since I was a child. I took this photograph as the tide was beginning to come in. The Anemone is fascinating to explore. To learn more about the Solitary Starburst Anemone, click on the links.

http://zipcodezoo.com/Animals/A/Anthopleura_sola.asp

http://www.californiaintertidal.com/

http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20o?search=Anthopleura sola

Red Skimmer (Libellula saturata), Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Watsonville, California.

I was hiking in the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve when I came to a small pond. This Red Skimmer (Libellula saturata) was flying around the pond but not landing. I followed it around the pond many times. Finally, it landed just as the breeze picked up, moving the Red Skimmer rapidly back and forth. I was nearly so mesmerized by the brilliant colors that I almost did not snap the picture just before it flew away. Well, almost. Click on the link to read more about the Red Skimmer.

http://www.odonatacentral.org/index.php/FieldGuideAction.get/id/47122