Beach Bums

[Trever1t]

Lazy Beach Bums by Trever1t, on Flickr



Along the California coast, in particular areas (this one just north of San Simian) the Elephant Seals laze about in the sun like big blobs....oh to be an Elephant Seal! :lmao:

 

[vipgraphx]

great composition. I really like those two rocks by the horizon. I am looking for something to nitpick but I can't seem to find to much. You did a great job on the processing. It has some warmth colors but also some cool colors. I use to live in San Diego and looking at this picture reminds me of the how it feels to be there on an over cast day. Mission accomplished.

As I am looking at it if you could clone out that little bit of rocks by the horizon on the right side I think it would look better. My keeps looking at that spot now.

 

[Trever1t]

yeah, I considered cloning those but got lazy...like those big blobs on the beach


Thanks man, I am loving playing with HDR too much!

 

[Desi]

Nice shot of Piedras Blancas. I like what your HDR was able to do to this scene. I was there 2 months ago on a similar day and definitely didn't capture the same range of colors. Makes me want to give HDR a try.....but I have such a long way to go first.

BTW, also enjoyed the shots from Hearst Castle.

 

[Trever1t]

Desi, yeah, it was a really overcast foggy day and looking at the individual frames there's really no color pop. HDR can really take an otherwise bland image and make it interesting. Thank you

 

[Bynx]

Is it ok to go down and get closer shots of the seals?

 

[Trever1t]

No, I don't think so. These animals are protected from harrassment and getting close would probably require special permit. There's no ladder down or trail that I noticed but really I only jumped out of the car, snapped 5 frames and got back on the road

 

[Desi]

Is it ok to go down and get closer shots of the seals?

Actually, there is a beach just past the Piedras Blancas lighthouse that has a small turnoff and an open gate to allow beach access. There is actually a sign telling you not to get too close to the wildlife, so access to that beach is definitely allowed. However, you would never know it by just driving by. I stopped to get a shot of the lighthouse and then noticed the open gate.

I took these shots at the beach there. http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/nature-wildlife/277406-portraits-beach.html

 

[Trever1t]

Hey, those are great! Wish i had known that!

 

[EDL]

If you can make it further north, stop in Monterey and head down to the wharf. The seals climb up on the docks and lounge all the time. You could walk right up to one.

 

[Trever1t]

I live in San Jose, about an hour north of Monterey, yup. Best place to see them that I know of is Ano Nuevo wildlife reserve, about 30 minutes north of Santa Cruz. I used to have to step over sea lions to get on my boat.

 

[fokker]

I wouldn't have even noticed the seals if I hadn't read your description, they blend in with the rocks too much. You needed to be a lot closer to have them as the subject of the shot.

 

[EDL]

Ah, San Jose, I know that place. I was in Monterey for technical school when I was in the Air Force. I went to the presidio (Defense Language Institute). Spent about a year and a half there back in the mid 80's.

I love Monterey and the surrounding areas. Unfortunately I'm not rich enough to live there and not sure I'd live there anyway...too much shaky ground there!!

Wish I'd had an underwater camera set up as I did a lot of diving in the bay. Some gorgeous scenery and critters down there.

 

[shortpants]

Very nice! I actually like how the seals almost look like rocks, keeps me looking at the photo. Of course a closer shot would be great too.