California coastline

Our Big Sur destination was about a 4 hour drive south of San Francisco.  What with the after-work traffic, then the coiling, treacherous roads in the dark, the drive down was a nightmare.  The drive back home was a million times better!

We stopped to check out McWay Falls, just a short walk off the highway.

1/400, f/10,  ISO 200

1/250, f/13, ISO 200

 Did another short but steep hike down to see another falls...

1/80, f/9, ISO 200

1/400, f/5, ISO 1600

 And, of course, couldn't help but stop a few more times to take pics. It was so beautiful!

1/500, f/11, ISO 200

1/400, f/10, ISO 200

Big Sur Wildlife

I had been hoping to spot some otters while in Big Sur, but I was in no way prepared for the incredible amount of wildlife we encountered.  While eating breakfast one morning at Treebones Resort we counted at least 5 whales and 3 packs (pods?) of seals. 

1/160, f/6.3, ISO 200

Over the weekend we also saw dolphins, a lone otter, countless hawks and other birds, tons of monarch butterflies...

1/50, f/13, ISO 200

And elephant seals! It was Loud, Smelly, all around Obnoxious pupping season at Piedras Blancas Roookery:

1/100, f/18, ISO 200

1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 1600

1/100, f/13, ISO 200

1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 1600

1/100, f/13, ISO 200

1/60, f/13, ISO 200

1/125, f/13, ISO 200

Treebones

One of my favorite birthday gift traditions is my dream weekend getaway.  I get to plan my ideal destination, lodging, and itinerary and cash it in sometime in January.  It is the perfect way to launch the new year.  This year I chose to go yurting at Treebones Resort in Big Sur, CA.

It's about 4 hours south of San Francisco, so we arrived in the dark.  It was so much fun to stargaze from our balcony!

20 sec, f/4, ISO 400

1/15, f/25, ISO 250

1/125, f/5.6, ISO 320

I woke up early and caught the sunrise!

1/160, f/6.3, ISO 800

1/80, f/22, ISO 160

We spent an amazing day driving and hiking around Big Sur and saw a TON of wildlife (more pics to come!). Back to home base in time for sunset and more stargazing.

1/15, f/22, ISO 160

1/30, f/7.1, ISO 320