Point Lobos is considered one of California’s most beautiful state parks. The world renowned photographers Ansel Adams and Edward Weston would agree. They spent years returning to the park again and again to capture its beauty. it is located just south of Carmel along highway 1. Hiking out the Cypress Grove Trail, Peggy and I came upon this sea stack known at the Pinnacle.Peggy found unique ways of framing it, including the twisted limb on the upper right.She was having great fun with her new camera! See the black dots on peak…Like many sea stacks up and down the Pacific Coast, it had its own flock of cormorants.Another perspective. Following are other views along Cypress Grove Trail.Both sides of the peninsula leading out to the Pinnacle provided different views of Pacific Ocean waves rolling in.I am ever fascinated by the patterns in water created by the waves and tides— infinite works of art.A view from the south side of the Cypress Grove Trail.And another.A close up.As might be expected, we found some very impressive cypress trees growing along the Cypress Grove Trail.Ansel Adams and Edward Weston both loved the gnarly cypress trees. I rendered this one in black and white to honor them.Flowers are also abundant in the Reserve. I stopped to capture this iris. Peggy had beaten me to it.Invasive but striking, Oxalis or Bermuda buttercup, is another native of South Africa.Does a flower get any more yellow?Wild lilacs greeted us at the beginning of the Cypress Grove Trail.As did this nettle, coastal hedge. You can look, but best not touch.I had my nose in a flower when Peggy said, “Curt, check out this buzzard.” She had photographed it with its wings spread. We were on the Whaler’s Cove Knoll trail on our way to Whaler’s Cove.It had ignored Peggy but it started to give me the eye with a hungry look. Or was I imagining things?Hmmm. I wasn’t sure about being eyed by the buzzard, but I admired its beautiful feathers.This may the occasion for one of those “You know you are old when a buzzard thinks of you as a potential dinner,” jokes.The daisy I ‘had my nose in.’ I totally missed the spider!Another daisy of a different color. Our flower app identified it as a seaside daisy.An old friend: Bush, monkey flowers.A small museum housed in an old whaler’s cabin at Whaler’s Cove provided a bit of history. I should not have been surprised to learn where Monterey Jack Cheese came from. Jack made it. Grin. Actually, it was originally known as Jack’s Cheese. The Monterey was added later. A number of industries were located at Point Lobos. In addition cattle ranching, cheese making, and whale hunting, they included the largest abalone factory on the West Coast.One reason I wanted to hike over to the Cove was because the last time I was at Point lobos, I saw a seal nursing its baby there. We missed that, but we did see a mother with its baby swimming along behind. We had to travel down to the southern part of the park to find more mother seals and their pups. We will be featuring them, along with cormorants, and more great scenery in our next post.Next time: There will be close ups!
20 thoughts on “Point Lobos Natural Reserve: Where Ansel Adams Wandered. As Did We… Pacific Coast Series 3”
Oh it’s such a funny perspective to see that last shot of the seals all scattered around on the beach, like they were tossed there, and just stayed put. This photo series is fabulous. I love Peggy’s creativity with the curvy Cypress branch, and the close ups of the feathers. Also love the cormorants up close: you got the white face feathers on a couple of them: really neat. I agree that the swirls and cascades of water from the rocks is endlessly mesmerizing, and also that aqua colour. Wow.
Like random! We took a lot more, as you can imagine, Crystal. What amuses me so much about seals is how wondrously fat there are. Wasn’t the framing neat. The next post will feature lots of the white feathers on cormorants. I’ve never really noticed them before. But maybe that’s because we couldn’t catch the closeups. I thought that the ocean’s colors were particularly vibrant this time. Wow is right!
Peggy and I had a delightful lunch with Jenny from Bull Dog Travels today. She’s a neat woman.
It’s always the water color that gets me first, and then the cascading of the water around the rocks. For someone who lives with flat, featureless beaches and muddy water — well, let’s just say a teensy bit of envy sets in.
I got a kick out of the crab spider. They’re such lurkers, and are far more common than I ever realized in blooms and seedheads. Sneaky, they are!
You two are making excellent use of your cameras. Great shots of the sea stack, the waves, the flowers, and vulture. He did look like he was checking your out, Curt. I think you fooled him though – he’s got a long wait. Hehe. And a bit of fun history in here too to go along with those beautiful blue skies. Happy Travels!
Incredible scenery, beautifully captured! (And the buzzard – wow) We have to wait a while, but we are just now planning a CA trip starting in Carmel in September … looks like we have much to look forward to. Enjoy your wanderings!
Wow, Curt, those shots of the ocean and the waves are stunning, and I’d beware of that buzzard too. But to get a shot of his wings spread, pretty incredible! I love the flowers, the seals, and the daisy with the hiding spider, yikes! Wonderful photos! Have fun!
Point Lobos is one of my favorite coastal places in California, Curt, and you did an excellent job of covering it here. I look forward to the next post, too. There is SO much to enjoy at this park and your timing with the spring wildflowers couldn’t have been better. You and Peggy had such a wonderful adventure that day, and you both offered gorgeous photos, thanks for sharing this coastal romp.
Thanks Jet. Sorry this took so long to respond. Pt. Reyes got in the way. Grin. Be sure you pick up our post on Abbotts Lagoon. I know it is one of the places that you and Alexander find special. Post Lobos has always been a favorite of mine as well. I never pass up and opportunity to visit there when I have been in the area. And that goes back over 50 years!
Wandering through Time and Place 
Oh it’s such a funny perspective to see that last shot of the seals all scattered around on the beach, like they were tossed there, and just stayed put. This photo series is fabulous. I love Peggy’s creativity with the curvy Cypress branch, and the close ups of the feathers. Also love the cormorants up close: you got the white face feathers on a couple of them: really neat. I agree that the swirls and cascades of water from the rocks is endlessly mesmerizing, and also that aqua colour. Wow.
Like random! We took a lot more, as you can imagine, Crystal. What amuses me so much about seals is how wondrously fat there are. Wasn’t the framing neat. The next post will feature lots of the white feathers on cormorants. I’ve never really noticed them before. But maybe that’s because we couldn’t catch the closeups. I thought that the ocean’s colors were particularly vibrant this time. Wow is right!
Peggy and I had a delightful lunch with Jenny from Bull Dog Travels today. She’s a neat woman.
I am so excited that you met Jenny in real life. I have read her blog for years and I am happy to know she is a neat person, as I suspected. 🙂
Peggy’s photos can rival that of any photographer!
She is loving her new camera, G.
Art at it’s best in the twisted trees, Curt.. buzzard of vulture.. he has a eye out for you, my friend. Glad you’re having fun💕
Those trees had personality, Cindy, no doubt about it. As did the buzzard! Thanks. ❤️ Curt
❤️🦅🌲🪶🌲❤️
Birds, trees and hearts!
Such an incredible coastline and the history of Monterey Jack Cheese!
I was amused to learn about Monterey Jack, Peggy. I certainly eat my share of the spicy hot brand!
Wow! Such wonderful photos!
It’s always the water color that gets me first, and then the cascading of the water around the rocks. For someone who lives with flat, featureless beaches and muddy water — well, let’s just say a teensy bit of envy sets in.
I got a kick out of the crab spider. They’re such lurkers, and are far more common than I ever realized in blooms and seedheads. Sneaky, they are!
You two are making excellent use of your cameras. Great shots of the sea stack, the waves, the flowers, and vulture. He did look like he was checking your out, Curt. I think you fooled him though – he’s got a long wait. Hehe. And a bit of fun history in here too to go along with those beautiful blue skies. Happy Travels!
Those buzzards taste like chicken. I am sure the buzzard was concerned that you were going to eat him.
Great pictures and great weather! Enjoy!!
Great shots of the buzzard!
Alison
Incredible scenery, beautifully captured! (And the buzzard – wow) We have to wait a while, but we are just now planning a CA trip starting in Carmel in September … looks like we have much to look forward to. Enjoy your wanderings!
Wow, Curt, those shots of the ocean and the waves are stunning, and I’d beware of that buzzard too. But to get a shot of his wings spread, pretty incredible! I love the flowers, the seals, and the daisy with the hiding spider, yikes! Wonderful photos! Have fun!
Point Lobos is one of my favorite coastal places in California, Curt, and you did an excellent job of covering it here. I look forward to the next post, too. There is SO much to enjoy at this park and your timing with the spring wildflowers couldn’t have been better. You and Peggy had such a wonderful adventure that day, and you both offered gorgeous photos, thanks for sharing this coastal romp.
Thanks Jet. Sorry this took so long to respond. Pt. Reyes got in the way. Grin. Be sure you pick up our post on Abbotts Lagoon. I know it is one of the places that you and Alexander find special. Post Lobos has always been a favorite of mine as well. I never pass up and opportunity to visit there when I have been in the area. And that goes back over 50 years!