Rodeo Beach Sunset - 1/18/12

          I had just enough time after work to make it to Rodeo Beach for sunset. I walked south along the beach to the sea stacks where there were a few photographers with tripods set up. Some say that Galen Rowell made this location famous, but I disagree. In my opinion mother nature made it famous for what it is; Galen Rowell might have made it a famous place to photograph.

Swirling Surf

Sea Stacks
          A layer of clouds blocked the sun and showed potential for a colorful sunset. Eventually the sun broke through a gap in the clouds for just a minute and the photographers jockeyed for position to capture the shot.

Sun Star
          I'm not too keen on photographing with mobs of people around but in some instances it is unavoidable and enjoyable nonetheless.

Rodeo Beach Sunset
          The sun soon set and we were not disappointed with the display of colors.

Marin Headlands Sunset


          A longer exposure shows off the motion of the waves appearing like an eerie fog.





Natural Mystic

Rodeo Beach Sunset

Capturing The Image


          What can I say but what an amazing sunset!

Battery Mendell Sunset - Marin Headlands - 11-9-11

Room with a View
          Another after work adventure left me with just enough time to drive out to Battery Mendell in the Marin Headlands to catch sunset.
          I parked in the newly redone parking lot near Battery Mendel which now holds only several cars. In years past you could pull right up to the Battery itself with parking for many cars. I guess it is for the best to keep impact to a minimum.
          I climbed up a couple of flights of steps which led me to the top of the main building overlooking the ocean. Following a use trail I headed south along the precarious bluffs toward an old tower and some bunkers where I posted up and waited for sunset.

Cliffside Tower

Point Bonita Lighthouse
          To the east, the rising full moon above Hawk Hill and Conzelman Road momentarily took my attention away from the setting sun.

Rising Moon over Hawk Hill
          The remnant war time bunkers and buildings with their quilt works of graffiti were a nice juxtaposition to the natural pacific landscape of the Marin Headlands.Sunset

Graffiti Sunset



Bunker Art



Bunker and Lighthouse

Marin Headlands - Rodeo Lagoon Sunset - 2/11/11

Sunset at Rodeo Beach

          The work day ended and I made my way out to the Marin Headlands to take a walk. I explored Gerbode Valley for a while before driving over to Rodeo Beach & Lagoon. After enjoying sunset I began driving back when I noticed a Great Blue Heron land in the Lagoon at the waters edge. I knew it would make a great silhouette so I pulled over and got out my camera. The Heron stood absolutely still and was very accommodating as the colors got better and better.

Great Blue Heron at Sunset


Great Blue Heron Silhouette & Firey Sunset

          At this point another photographer pulled over and began shooting right beside me. I decided to head back to the car as the light was nearly all gone, when I noticed I did not have my car keys. I went back to the area where I was taking photos and scoured the area frantically for several minutes until it got dark. I would have no luck! I went back to the car and realized that I locked the keys in the car along with my cell phone and wallet. So now I'm feeling pretty dumb. I asked the photographer if I could borrow her cell phone but there was no service. Fortunately she was kind enough to give me a lift to Sausalito where the cell phone worked and I was able to arrange for a pickup.
          Although things did work out alright in the end, I definitely learned my lesson.

Marin Headlands - Rodeo Lagoon Sunset - 2/9/11

          I made my way out to the Marin Headlands after work to unwind and look for wildlife. I was treated to a beautiful sunset over the Rodeo Lagoon. The water was as still as I've ever seen it making for a great mirror image.

Sunset Over Rodeo Lagoon

Blurred Sunset