Pictures from CA

[WhyNot]

My wife and I were talking about a trip to California for years. It finally happened this July...

We were blown away by the beauty of the places we visited. I took hundreds and hundreds of pictures. I just couldn’t stop! I would like to share just a few of them. Only Discovery channel stuff. Let's start from the wild life.

Here is a lonely sea otter from Monterey.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2556.jpg

Few shots of sea lions from the same area. I couldn’t believe how close you can get to them. It looks like they enjoy your attention.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2579.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2595.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2599.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2620.jpg

This seal was so shy:

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2685.jpg

Here are some pelicans at Malibu beach in LA.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2083.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2086.jpg

These pelicans are "surfing" not far from Pebble Beach.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_27882.jpg

I believe I shot this one somewhere along Pacific Hwy north of Monterey.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2770.jpg


WhyNot

[WhyNot]

There is nothing like Yosemite National Park. Here some shots from Yosemite Valley.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2433.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2431-crop.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2382.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2471.jpg
The famous Lone Cypress from Pebble Beach and few more cypresses from the same place. It looks like they grow straight from the rocks.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2698.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2717.jpg

WhyNot.

[uhiforgot]

Whynot,

First off, you've done some beautiful photography here ESPECIALLY with the Yosemite shots. Your pictures are not like postcards found at the tourist trap shops; I've seen more than enough of those photoshopped recyclables. The shot of Half Dome is slightly fogged like when I first saw it over the treeline, and seeing it in this picture gave me the same thrill except I didn't almost run my car off the road :o Please tell me you found your way to the Monterrey Bay aquarium too?

Also, this has opened my eyes quite a bit. I've lived in CA for most of my life and have actually grown to dislike it due to the expense of living and the relentlessly fast pace of life as a whole, but getting to see CA through somebody else's eyes has made me remember what I've been taking for granted. It's been a long time since I've been to Yosemite, or even to the local beach for that matter, and even longer since I've been able to stop long enough to take it all in. Thank you for putting it in a new light for me, and I hope you have more pictures to post!

[Caly E]

And I thought your knife pics were untouchable. Maybe its the beer but i just shed a tear. In my 26 years I have been to Chicago, Detroit & Southern Ohio. I feel bad saying this but I think I might soon sell some Spydies so I can fund a trip to Yosemite, thanks whynot.

[RIOT]

wow nice pics, i live here in CA and never been to these places, thanks for making me feel like a hermit

[spydutch]

Very nice pics from a very nice environment:cool::cool:

[EarthDog]

Thanks for the great photos, WhyNot. The first Yosemite shot took my breath away!

I need to get out more.

[bh49]

I took hundreds and hundreds of pictures. I just couldn’t stop!


Hundreds? Can we have some more?




These pelicans are "surfing" not far from Pebble Beach.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_27882.jpg

I believe I shot this one somewhere along Pacific Hwy north of Monterey.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2770.jpg

WhyNot

These pelicans look scary like ashiest Pterodactils :eek::eek:

[ozspyder]

Great pics mate,

Looks like you guys had a fantastic time if the photos are anything to go by. I really like the Yosemite ones, very picturesque and tranquil yet rugged at times.

Hundreds of photos you say ? well.... bring them on ! :p

[Axlis]

Thanks for sharing those wonderful photos, I think I am in love with your camera!

You have a great eye, can't wait to see more. :)

[WhyNot]

Thanks for the comments, guys!
I'm glad that my pictures brought some memories for those of you who visited Yosemite, or even inspired somebody to see that place.
I think everybody living in this country has to visit Yosemite at least once. The place is not just beautiful but is very well maintained and run. Something to be really proud of. It is real national treasure.
BTW. Very large number of tourists we saw over there were from abroad - Canada, France, Germany, Italy and other European countries. A lot of families with kids.
uhiforgot, we did not manage to see Monterey Bay aquarium. We had only day and a half to explore Monterey, 17- mile drive and Carmel. Maybe next time.
OK, here are some more pictures from Yosemite:

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2294.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2373-1.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_24902.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2509.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2425.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2447.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2456.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2457.jpg

And here is something different - several of what they call Painted Ladies in San Francisco.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2999.jpg

WhyNot

[bh49]

Beautiful pictures. Thank you.
Can you post more sea animals, no scary flying Pterodactils please.:D

[slice22358]

Aw man your lucky to get to go to Monterey! That's where I was born all 16 years ago. Now I live in hot and humid Texas. Wish I could have gone too...

[Tank]

Great photos why not. Thanks for sharing
Monterey is a great place as is Yosemite. I live only about 30 mins from Monterey and a few hours away from Yosemite. While I only get to Yosemite about every other year, we go to Monterey quite often. If you every get a change to go back I would suggest spring and booking a humpback whale watching trip. They show up in #'s to feed and play in the deep waters. Its really fun.

[TheKnifeCollector]

Those are all incredible pictures!! Thank you for sharing them with us!!

[OuchThatsSharp]

Nice Pics!

[Agent Starling]

I'm glad you shared those pics with us, why not! you really have a good eye for photography! I especially liked the waterfalls coming through the rocks, and the sea lions. :)

Agent Starling

[amen74]

Beautiful pictures WhyNot. Your photography skills and your camera are stunning! They're giving me some motivation to get on over to Yosemite and hit the beaches of northern and southern CA.:D

[WhyNot]

Thank you guys and gals!


...
Can you post more sea animals, no scary flying Pterodactils please.:D

Ok. Just a few more pics. No scary birds this time!

The Sea Lion King

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2626.jpg


http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2578.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2686.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2954.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2568.jpg

WhyNot

[bh49]

Great shots, WhyNot.
#2 and 4 are my favorites. You were lucky to visit these places. i am just jealous. :):p

[jag-engr]

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/WhyNot_007/California-2008/DSC_2447.jpg


I have almost this same picture hanging on the wall in my office!

[A.P.F.]

Great work, WhyNot! Number 2 and 5 are my favorites from that last set. That seagull is communicating on many levels. :D

[Peter1960]

I like your pictures of nature a lot, looks like you an your wife have had wonderful impressions. Thank you very much WhyNot :)

[dialex]

Thanks for the awsome pics. A real eye candy. And it looks like you had a great time. Did you meet The Governator there, BTW? ;)

[Gibsoniam]

Whynot, thanks for the fantastic photographic trip down memory lane. :)

I was born and raised in Sacramento. While I never made it to Yosemite; Montery/Carmel and the SF coast were favorite weekend trips for my wife and I. Right up there with the Redwood National forest and Lake Tahoe.

We now live in southern Texas- which has nothing to offer that even comes close to the beauty and majesty of California.

Thanks for sharing! Great photography!