Northern California Nature Photography

Morro Bay Photo Expo

2012-01-27T20:47:00.001-08:00

For anyone living on the central coast who wants to improve their photography skill, there's a great opportunity coming up at the end of March. I've included the link at the bottom of the post. I'm definitely going to try and attend so iff you go, I may just see you there!

http://www.morrophotoexpo.com/

Busy, Busy

2012-01-25T20:48:00.000-08:00

Once again I have to apologize for the lack of posts. This quarter has turned out to be one of my busiest. I feel more like I have a full-time job! Not to mention all the homework. As a result, I have had hardly any time to get out and shoot. I have, however, recently completed a new slide show of some of my nighttime architectural work. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7YYDn0p4pI&context=C3c87097ADOEgsToPDskI1-JVn1TT0XRTPNFQ7WISb

A Walk at Night

2011-10-23T21:48:00.000-07:00

I've recently begun a project photographing my college campus at night using HDR. For me, night adds a lot of mystery and suspense to images. The campus also feels like a completely different place at night. Here are some of my first photographs from this series.

Online Store

2011-10-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

My online photography store is now up and running! I will be adding new items over the next several days, so check back periodically.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jswillems?ref=si_shop

Film

2011-10-01T21:40:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I bought an Ansco medium format folding camera. I have been interested in trying film photography for a while, so I was looking forward to using this camera. I got my first roll back a couple days ago and while I still have a lot to learn, I can already tell I'm going to really enjoy this camera.

West Fork Hat Creek Falls and Paradise Meadow

2011-09-11T17:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening my parents and I went on a hike to West Fork hat Creek Falls in Lassen National Park. It was a great hike, and especially beautiful due to the bountiful wildflowers along the creek.

The Spin-Off

2011-08-04T16:18:00.000-07:00

For a while now, I have been frustrated with my current Blogger set-up for sharing my photography. After seeing several people I know switch to Wordpress, I decided to take a look, and I liked what I saw. I will keep this blog up and running, so please keep checking in. My new Wordpress blog will be geared more towards showcasing some of my best work as well as more in depth explanations behind individual pictures. As such, I will more than likely not post to Wordpress as often as I do here on Blogger. So I encourage you to head over to Wordpress and check out my new blog! Here's the link:

http://jwillemsphotography.wordpress.com/

The design is still in flux, so any comments, critiques, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

A Change in Pace

2011-07-26T21:51:00.000-07:00

Well, my landscape photography has been lacking inspiration lately, so I decided to try something new, namely macro photography. I already had a large insect collection at my disposal, so I decided to do some shots in a makeshift studio I set up in my room. The shots turned out quite well in my opinion. Enjoy!

The Sundial Bridge

2011-07-08T11:41:00.000-07:00

The Sundial Bridge in Redding, CA, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is one of the focal points of the town. Spanning 700 feet across the Sacramento River and rising 217 feet into the sky, the bridge is quite a sight to see, and photograph.

Deadhorse Falls

2011-07-03T12:48:00.000-07:00

Wow, how time flies! The past month has been pretty crazy for me and I apologize for not updating my blog. First was the end of the school year and finals, then I've been out of town for the past two weekends. Anyways, I was finally able to go hiking the other day out to a waterfall I've wanted to visit for a while: Deadhorse Falls. The waterfall was gorgeous and it was great to be able to get out and enjoy nature again. Enjoy!

Salmon Creek Falls

2011-05-08T12:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long gap in posts, school has kept me pretty busy this quarter. I was finally able to get out yesterday and go for a nice hike. I went up to Salmon Creek Falls which is a couple miles south of Gorda, CA on HWY 1. It was an amazing waterfall and I was able to get some shots that I really like. Hope you enjoy them!

Slideshow

2011-04-23T22:01:00.000-07:00

I've been pretty busy lately and haven't gotten out to photograph much, so I decided to make a slideshow of some of my favorite pictures since starting this hobby. Hope you enjoy it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOpcIGPX8EA

Life in Monochrome

2011-03-09T20:52:00.000-08:00

Several weeks ago I was finding it a little difficult to find inspiration for my photography. To try and fix that, I decided to give myself a project. I decided to try a black and white beach/ocean project. I had quite a lot of fun and managed to get some shots I really like. I hope you enjoy them as much as do!

Oceano Beach

2011-02-27T17:38:00.000-08:00

Since I got a break from homework today I decided to go wander my favorite beach. One of the things I love about this particular beach is the abundance of sand dollars, which I enjoy both collecting and photographing. Enjoy!

Valencia Peak

2011-02-26T22:58:00.000-08:00

Well, today was an unexpectedly nice day so I decided to hike to the top of Valencia Peak, a 1,347 foot peak in Montana de Oro State Park. The hike itself was very refreshing and he scenery was amazing. I also happened across a rather unhappy alligator lizard basking itself on the trail. Enjoy!

Fossil Collecting

2011-02-22T17:04:00.000-08:00

Despite the less than ideal weather this past weekend, I took advantage of having Monday off school to spend some time with another hobby of mine: fossil collecting. Here are some pictures of some of my finds. Enjoy!

More Stars Part 2

2011-02-11T15:41:00.001-08:00

Well, my obsession with star trails has not faded, and in fact I've decided to start a personal project on long-exposure landscapes. Anyways, here are some more photos from the past couple weeks. Hope you enjoy them!

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)

2011-01-31T20:52:00.001-08:00

Egrets are usually very flighty birds, and try as I might I had never been able to get close enough to one to get good pictures. The other day I was at the beach and noticed this little guy hunting in the surf. Much to my surprise, he let me get very close and didn't seem to pay any attention to me.

More Stars

2011-01-26T22:29:00.000-08:00

If you haven't noticed, I've become a little obsessed with star trails lately. Here are a couple more from tonight. Enjoy!

Shooting the Stars Part 2

2011-01-24T14:38:00.000-08:00

Last night was a beautifully clear night so I decided to try to get a couple more star trail shots. Here are the results, hope you enjoy them!

Shooting the Stars

2011-01-22T11:49:00.000-08:00

I've attempted to try star trail photos a couple ties before but have never really been satisfied with the results, until last night. I was quite pleased with how this one turned out. This was about a 20 minute exposure. Enjoy!

K-7 Videos

2011-01-16T21:23:00.000-08:00

The K-7 is also able to shoot hd video, something I have been having fun with. Here are some links to some videos I took this weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMtzscBVQn0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt9PWFtjSK8

Testing the K-7

2011-01-16T18:41:00.001-08:00

As I mentioned in my last post, I just received a new Pentax K-7 on Friday. The past two days I have had quite a lot of fun testing it out. It's definitely a big step up from my old camera and will keep me satisfied for quite a while. I am extremely happy with it and look forward to using it much more. Here are some of my favorites from this weekend. Enjoy!

My New Camera

2011-01-14T14:15:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about upgrading to a new camera for a while. Well, Ifinally pulled the trigger and bought a new Pentax K-7. I just got it this afternoon and am already extremely impressed with it. Unfortunately, the batteries come uncharged so I have to wait a while before trying the camera out. Anyways, I plan on testing it out a lot this weekend so look forward to some new pictures!

Night

2011-01-09T21:14:00.001-08:00

The other night I decided to try and take some nighttime photos. I was hoping to get some nice shots of the stars, but I wasn't having much luck. I was able to get some shots I liked of the Morro Bay city lights. Enjoy!

Water, Water, Everywhere

2011-01-06T21:56:00.000-08:00

While I know that the recent heavy rains in CA had a devastating impact on parts of Southern CA, up here in the north, it made for some great photo opportunities. With all the rain, the mountains are covered with beautiful seasonal streams and waterfalls. I was lucky to be able to visit some during Christmas break. Enjoy!

New Link

2010-12-21T13:03:00.000-08:00

I ran into a problem with my YouTube account so I had to delete it and make a new one. Here is a new link to my latest slideshow. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Slideshow

Slideshow

2010-12-18T10:53:00.000-08:00

I decided to make another slideshow of my pictures since I enjoyed making the last one so much. I've included the link to YouTube where you can find it. Enjoy!

Burney Falls

2010-11-26T12:57:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I sure did. After a delicious lunch/dinner, my family and I headed up to Burney Falls for the afternoon. Despite the very cold weather, the waterfall ws amazing and I was able to get some shots that I am very pleased with. Enjoy!

Fossil Discovery Center - Madera, CA

2010-11-20T20:40:00.001-08:00

A little break from the usual, I wanted to share another one of my hobbies: paleontology. Since I was visiting family in Fresno, I decided to check out the recently opened Fossil Discovery Center in Madera. The center was small, but had a lot of neat fossils. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Facebook page

2010-11-16T11:26:00.000-08:00

Josh Willems Photography is now on Facebook! Check it out here: www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/profile.php?id=100001540691336#!/pages/Josh-Willems-Photography/112731898794060

Pacific Sunset

2010-11-13T10:56:00.001-08:00

Living near the coast has allowed me to do something I've wanted to try: shooting the sunset over the ocean. Here are several from this past week. Enjoy!

Sand Dollars

2010-11-07T14:23:00.000-08:00

While exploring another local beach, Oceano Beach, I began finding a lot of sand dollars. I enjoy collecting shells but had never found a sand dollar before so I was quite excited. As I looked around, I realized the beach was littered with dozens of sand dollars. Not only are they cool to collect, but I've also enjoyed taking in-situ photos of them.

Photo Slideshow

2010-10-27T18:45:00.001-07:00

Well, I'm going to give something new a shot today. I recently made this slideshow of some of my favorite photos put to music. Hopefully I can get it to upload here. Enjoy!

Well, the video is up but it is much smaller than I thought it would be. I will try uploading it to YouTube and posting the link here.

Yosemite National Park

2010-10-24T14:45:00.000-07:00

This weekend I got the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful places in CA: Yosemite National Park. Yosemite truly is one of the most amazing places I have ever been. No matter how many times I go there, it is always breathtaking. The weather wasn't the best and I had to combat scattered rain but I came away with some nice shots. Enjoy!

My Website

2010-10-07T20:16:00.001-07:00

Also, don't forget to check out my website for even more pictures! www.canaturephotography.com

Montana de Oro

2010-10-06T21:35:00.000-07:00

Montana de Oro State Park has quickly become my new favorite place to photography. The rugged coastline provides almost endless opportunities. Enjoy!

LIght Painting

2010-09-28T21:37:00.001-07:00

Light painting is a photographic technique that uses slow shutter speeds and moving lights to create unique, sometimes abstract images. The light sources for these images were either streetlights or a flashlight. These are straight out of the camera with no photoshop work done. Enjoy!

Bean Creek

2010-09-24T23:24:00.000-07:00

My family owns a cabin in the mountains north of Santa Cruz, CA that I love to visit. The scenery there is amazing! I've recently been trying my hand at some multi-level panoramas. The first three pictures here are all double row panoramas comprised of at least six pictures. Enjoy!

Mossbrae Falls

2010-08-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

OK, well I'm now officially moved into my dorm at Cal Poly. Sorry I haven't posted in a while. My computer at home was giving me major problems with blogger.com. Hopefully I'll be back up and running from here on out. A while ago, I decided to visit Mossbrae Falls just outside of Dunsmuir, CA. I had seen pictures of it before, but nothing could prepare me for seeing it in person. The water literally streams out of the hillside into the upper Sacramento River. It was truly one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever seen! I took tons of pictures, but these are my favorites. Enjoy!

Crystal Creek Falls

2010-07-02T10:29:00.001-07:00

As promised here are some pictures of what I've been up to lately. I have always loved waterfalls but I never really thought there were many around where I live. Luckily I found a website, http://www.waterfallswest.com/, and it turns out there are quite a few falls not that far away at all. the first one that I decided to hike up to was Crystal Creek Falls. It was a gorgeous waterfall and I had a blast photographing it. Hope you like the results. Enjoy!

Long Time No See

2010-07-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry for being gone for so long. The second semester of school was brutal. Then right after school I had the local fair which I'm involved in. Needless to say I've been quite busy. I plan on continuing with this blog. I've got some neat pictures from this spring that I plan on uploading soon. Also, I've created a website as a way to share my work as well. Here's the link:

http://www.canaturephotography.com/

Thanks for sticking around and look forward to some new pictures!

Waterfalls

2010-01-26T18:43:00.000-08:00

I've always loved waterfalls. I've also always wanted to try my hand at photographing them. Today was the first day that it wasn't raining in about 2 weeks so I decided to get out and do a little photography. I decided to visit an area I've never been to before, Clear Creek. Since it had been raining so much, there were many small streams coming off the road and flowing into the creek. Since the banks of the creek were so steep, the streams created mini waterfalls as they flowed down. Admittedly they were not as impressive as "normal sized" waterfall, but they were still pretty. Plus they allowed me to get some waterfall photography practice in. I am very pleased with the results. Enjoy!

Winter Pics

2010-01-13T14:02:00.000-08:00

It's really amazing how time can fly past. I apologize for not updating this blog in so long, but I've been really busy. First there was finals and then traveling for the holidays, then back to school and last night a photography group that I'm part of put together an exhibit which took a lot of time to prepare. Here are some photos that I've taken in the past month or so. Hopefuly I'll be able to get out again soon and start posting more regularly.

Beautiful Sunrise

2009-11-24T14:43:00.000-08:00

For a while now I've been wanting to get out and get some pictures of the sunrise. This morning I finally bit the bullet and got up at 5:45 am to do just that. I sure picked a good morning to be up! The sunrise was absolutely stuning!

Raindrops

2009-11-06T15:57:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how quickly the weather can change! A few days ago, it was sunny and in the 80's and now it's overcast, windy, and raining. Still, I was able to take advantage of the weather to get some shots of raindrops on some different plants.

Fall Bloom

2009-11-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

Surprisingly, some of the roses in my yard have been going through a late fall bloom. I really love the vivid pinks and reds of these flowers. Enjoy!

The Big 1,000

2009-10-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

Since I started keeping track, this blog has received over 1,000 views from over 60 different countries! This is truly amazing to me. I started this blog simply as a way to store my pictures and to show my friends at school. Never would I have imagined it would grow so rapidly. I want to thank each and every one of you who has visited my blog so far. I am truly humbled. I hope you stick around as I plan on having much more photography to show. Once again thank you.

Anderson River Park

2009-10-17T15:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I was finally able to get back out a do a little photography. I decided to visit a new place, the Anderson River Park, which borders the Sacramento River. It was a beautiful day and I was glad to be able to get out and enjoy nature.

Some More From the Airshow

2009-10-09T14:35:00.000-07:00

I had plans to get out and do some more photography this week, but I ended up getting swamped with homework. This coming weekend is also going to be very busy. So, in the meantime, here are some more photos from the airshow. Enjoy!

Redding Airshow 2009

2009-09-27T16:45:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I went out to the local airport to try my hand at a little aviation photography during the local airshow. The airshow itself was amazing! They had Eddie Andreini and Julie Clark doing aerobatics, a F-16 and Harrier jet demos, a B-25 bomber and Japanese Zero do a mock dogfight, many more, and to top it all off, the Blue Angels. It was also extremely hot. Out at the airport it was 111 degrees Fahrenheit. But, I stuck it out and came home with some nice photos. Enjoy!

Cabin 2009

2009-09-25T15:32:00.000-07:00

Every year, my family takes a trip to our cabin in the redwood forest just north of Santa Cruz, CA. It is one of the things I look forward to most during summer. Between reading, hiking, beeing lazy, and hunting for fossils, I was able to get some photography in.

The Return of Fall

2009-09-20T13:08:00.000-07:00

With fall finally approaching, I've been getting back out to some of my favorite spots. Out at the Battle Creek Wildlife Area, the ponds have finally been flooded again. With the water comes an amazing variety of insects, plants, and other wildlife.

Places I Want To Go

2009-09-14T16:48:00.000-07:00

For something a little different I thought I'd share some of the destinations that I hope to some day visit. After returning from the Galapagos, I have been very eager to travel the world. There's only the small problem of money. Oh well, enjoy browsing through these awesome places and who knows, maybe you may find your dream destination as well. (None of the pictures where taken by me)

1. Manu National Park, Peru

A vast region of unspoiled rainforest, Manu has a staggering diversity of plants and animals. The park contains an estimated 20,000 species of plants as well as 1000 species of birds, 159 species of mammals, 99 species of reptiles, 140 species of amphibians and 1307 species of butterflies!

2. Iguazu Falls, Brazil/Argentina

Listed as a possibility for one of the new seven wonders of the world, Iguazu Falls is rather impressive. Iguazu Falls is not just one fall, but is instead a series of 275 different waterfalls on a 1.67 mile stretch of the Iguazu River.

3. Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

Fiordland National Park, located in the southern part of New Zealand, is wet. Very wet. On average, parts of the park recieves almost 257 inches of rain per year! With all that rain comes an amazing diversity of plants.

September Sunset

2009-09-10T14:26:00.000-07:00

The other evening was kinda cloudy so I decided to go to a spot I knew would be a good spot to watch the sunset. I was hoping it was going to be a good one and I wasn't disappointed!

More Panoramas

2009-09-06T17:26:00.001-07:00

Lately I've been very interested in panorama photography. I just find it very cool. Here are a couple panoramas taken near where I live. Enjoy!

Battle Creek

Sunset

Ecuador Trip Panoramas

2009-08-18T15:00:00.001-07:00

I just found some new software that I used to put together some panorama shots I took while on the trip. Enjoy!

Crater on Santa Cruz Island

Cayambe Volcano

View From Bartolome Island

Ecuador Trip Part 5: Mindo

2009-07-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

The day after flying back to Quito, I had the opportunity to visit the Mindo Cloud Forest about 1 1/2 hours NW of Quito. The Cloud Forest is similar to a rain forest, but a little cooler. On the trip, we hiked to a waterfall, visited an orchid farm, and visited a butterfly garden. The huge variety of plants was amazing! We also got to see dozens of beautiful hummingbirds and hundreds of butterflies.

Ecuador Trip Part 4: bartolome Island

2009-07-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

The next day we got up at 4:30 a.m., got back on the same boat and took a three hour boat ride to Bartolome Island. On Bartolome Island, I saw more frigate birds, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, and marine iguanas. My group to a hike of about 360 stairs to the very top of the island. The view from there was absolutely stunning! After our hike we went down to one of the beaches and went snorkeling. While snorkeling, I got to swim with a white-tipped reef shark, a penguin, and thousands of tropical fish. It was one of the coolest things I have ever done! The underwater pictures where taken with an underwater disposable camera so the picture quality is not great, but it's better than nothing.

Tropical Fish

White-Tipped Reef Shark

Penguin

Colorful Fish

More Penguins

View From Bartolome

Pinnacle Rock

Sally-Lightfoot Crab

Volcanic Island

Galapagos Sunrise

Ecuador Trip Part 3: North Seymour Island

2009-07-23T14:20:00.000-07:00

The next day I visited North Seymour Island. It was about a one hour boat ride from Santa Cruz Island. One the way to the island, I saw frigate birds, petrels, pelicans, and rays jumping out of the water. On the island itself, I was able to see more frigate birds, tons of blue-footed boobies, many other birds, marine iguanas, sea lions, and two land iguanas. It was amazing how close you could get to the animals. I had one blue-footed booby get within one foot of me!

Our boat the Poseidon

Sea Lion

Frigate Bird chick

Blue-Footed Booby feet

Blue-Footed Booby

Blue-Footed Booby chick

Blue-Footed Booby

Pelican

Sea Lion on a buoy

Ecuador Trip Part 2: Santa Cruz Island

2009-07-22T12:12:00.000-07:00

The next day, my group and I flew from Quito to Baltra Island in the Galapagos. From there we took a bus then a ferry and then another bus to our hotel in the town of Peurto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. After a quick stop at the hotel, we walked to the Charles Darwin Research Station. It was an amazing tour. I got to see lava lizards, marine iguanas, birds, land iguanas, giant tortoises, and even Lonesome George!

Land Iguana

Galapagos Tortoise

Lonesome George

Small Yellow Bird

Lava Lizard

Marine Iguana

Ferry Ride

Santa Cruz Island Highlands

Ecuador Trip Part 1: Cotopaxi

2009-07-20T11:34:00.000-07:00

Well I made it back home safely from my trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands and what an amazing trip it was. It was one of the most amazing 9 days of my life. All in all, I took over 950 pictures. I'll be posting some of my favorites here in four (maybe 5) posts. The first installment is pictures form Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi is the 2nd tallest mountain in Ecuador and one of the highest active volcanoes in the world at an impressive 19, 347 feet. The park was very cool, even though the weather was uncooperative. There were many things to see, including many native flowers and wild horses.

Out Of Town

2009-07-08T11:51:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be out of town until the 18th. It's finally time for me to leave for my Quito, Ecuador/Galapagos Islands Trip. I'm so excited! I'll post some pictures of my trip when I get back.

The Pacific Northwest

2009-06-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

I just got back form a trip I took to tour Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA. Arcata is located in the extreme Northwest coast of CA. It is a beautiful area and a place I always enjoy visiting.

Shasta District Fair 2009 Results

2009-06-21T16:10:00.000-07:00

I entered two of my photographs in my local fair this year. The following pictures are the ones that I entered. The airplane got a first and the moon picture got a third.

A Few More Spring Pics

2009-06-03T18:24:00.000-07:00

More Springtime Pics

2009-05-29T22:39:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted for a while. I've been busy lately with end of the school year projects and studying for finals. Here are some pictures taken in the past couple weeks. Enjoy!

Spring Flowers

2009-04-13T14:32:00.001-07:00

Just a couple pictures of some flowers around my yard. Enjoy!

Spring is Finally Here

2009-04-10T15:25:00.000-07:00

Spring is finally here, and I was finally able to get out and enjoy it. Here are some new pictures from my latest trip out.

Foxtail

Small Purple Wildflower

Curious Otter

Small Blue Butterfly

Miscellaneous

2009-03-19T20:43:00.000-07:00

Since I have not been able to get out lately (the weather is nice, but now I'm sick) I'll post a couple of miscellaneous older pics that I have stored. Hopefully I can kick this cold and get outside soon!

Black Butte and Mt. Shasta

Foggy Hills

Curiosity

Backlit Cattails

Sorry For Not Posting For A While

2009-03-06T15:46:00.000-08:00

Sorry for not posting any new pics for a while. The streak of good weather here finally came to an end. I've also been really busy with school. This weekend looks like its going to be nice, so I'll try and get out of the house.

Yak 52 In Flight Photo

2009-01-29T19:09:00.000-08:00

A while back while my dad and I went flying, another pilot from the airport decided to fly up next to us in his Yak 52. Since I had my camera with me, I was able to get some nice in-flight shots of the plane. Enjoy!

BCWA Part 3

2009-01-28T16:44:00.000-08:00

Once again I took a trip out to the Battle Creek Wildlife Area. Its hard to beat a spot where you almost always see at least 1 bald eagle, 1 great blue heron, several dozen vultures, several flocks of quail, mergansers, mallards, and dozens of small birds.

Merganser Fly-Over

Thistle

First Robin of the Year

Battle Creek

Moonrise next to Mt. Lassen

2009-01-28T16:37:00.000-08:00

One night a couple days ago, my dad and I took a trip out to a lookout about 45 minutes from our house so that I could get some shots of the mountains. Since we were already up their, we decided to stay and watch the moon come up. Boy am I glad we did! See for yourself.

Battle Creek Wildlife Area Part 2

2009-01-14T15:39:00.001-08:00

Here in CA we are going through quite a heat wave, at least for winter. Yesterday it got of to 75! I have been taking advantage of this great weather and have taken several more trips out to the Battle Creek Wildlife Area.

Tree Reflection

Battle Creek

Acorn Woodpecker Storehouse

Hanging Out

Great Blue Heron

Battle Creek Wildlife Area

2009-01-06T19:46:00.000-08:00

Lately the weather has been fairly nice (for winter) and I have been able to go on more photo shoots. One of the new places that I have been going to is the Battle Creek Wildlife Area. Enjoy!

Vulture

Northern Mockingbird

Battle Creek (Both)

Reading Island

2008-12-23T12:03:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I took a trip out to Reading Island on the Sacramento River. It was sunny, but fairly cold and windy, so not many birds or animals were out. However, I was able to get some fairly nice landscape shots.

Anderson Creek (Both)

Old Tree and Sacramento River

Anderson Creek

Aerial Photos Part 2

2008-12-18T14:20:00.000-08:00

Another compilation of some pics I took on the last flight.

Technically not an aerial photo, a cool jet taking off

Foggy landscape

Stone fences built by Chinese workers around the turn of the century.
These things run for miles!

Mt. Lassen

Insects Part 2

2008-12-18T14:05:00.000-08:00

Here is the second part of my "Insects" series. Enjoy!

California Spread-Wing Damselfly

Cranefly (aka "Mosquito Hawk")

Soldier Beetle

Beautiful Sunset

2008-12-08T19:02:00.000-08:00

The other day, I walked out onto my front porch and saw this beautiful sight. What makes it a beautiful sunset, in my opinion, is the cobination of vivid color and the cool texture of the clouds.

Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area Birds

2008-12-07T13:28:00.000-08:00

The other day, I decided to take a trip out to the Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area to see of I could get any pictures of some birds. Unfortunately, a golden retriever from the neighborhood next to the wildlife area decided to stay with me. In total, it scared off 1 egret, 3 hawks, 1 kingfisher, and about a dozen quail. Not all photo shoots turn out the way you want them to! However, I was able to get a few nice shots.

White-Crowned Sparrow

(Both pictures)

Sunsets

2008-12-05T17:04:00.000-08:00

In my opinion, sunsets are one of the funnest things to photograph. Enjoy!

Aerial Photos Part 1

2008-12-05T16:48:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago, my dad and I went flying in our old Cessna. I decided to bring my camera along and try my hand at some aerial photography. Since that first time, I have been out on three other aerial photo shoots, and this is quickly becoming one of my favorite types of photography. The following pictures are from that first flight.

Sacramento River

Mt. Shasta

Shasta Dam

Insect Part 1

2008-12-05T15:54:00.000-08:00

Entomology, the study of insects, is one of my biggest hobbies. So, when I got into photography, insects naturally became one of my favorite subjects. Most of the following pictures where taken in my backyard. Enjoy!

Mayfly

Long-Legged Fly

Painted Lady Butterfly

Introduction

2008-12-05T15:38:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone and welcome to my new photography blog! I am an ameture photographer and specialize in aerial and nature photography. I will be posting new pictures periodically and I hope you enjoy them. Comments are welcome, but please keep them constructive.