I took a trip to the coast today

[NV Whino]

Wow, what a day. I threw my down jacket in the car because you never know what the weather will be like on the Northern California coast. Nope, warm and sunny. Just an incredible day. Got hot in my light sweatshirt.

Anyway, there were waves,


People,


Birds,




And seals. This little lady scrooched her way up the beach, and then rolled back down.






Then she laughed.


I even found an alien crop circle on the beach.



I had lunch and then I pushed on another 12 (they said) miles to Fort Ross. With the switchbacks it seemed more like 20 miles. Highway 1 is not for the faint of heart.

This is the church. I didn't see the birds until I processed the photos. A nice bit of luck.


Church bell


Got a few interior shots.




And the light coming through the trees.


First windmill in Northern California. Yeah, I know it's the bottom, but I loved the construction.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. What a great bunch of pics!

Ya done good!

Love the laughing seal, the waves, the details on the bell, the bottom of the windmill, oh hell, I love all of them!

I'm glad you decided to go, and to take us along!

[elleng]

2. Great shots,

and a lovely day! Glad you got those birds, captured the ones I didn't TRY to get as they flew overhead around sunset, ravens with red rays from sun reflecting off their wings, flying too quickly, no time to get camera out.

[NCarolinawoman]

5. "red rays from sun reflecting off their wings"

Love that! Can "picture" it.

[elleng]

6. Was wonderful,

will always remember it and regret I didn't catch it. Iridescent.

[NYC_SKP]

3. Beautiful!

It's a great part of the state, I prefer the north coast to the south in every way except the temperatures!

[Blue_In_AK]

4. Nice!

I really love the northern california coast.

[NCarolinawoman]

7. Spectacular!

Great variety. Love the animals.

I am fascinated by winter light coming through the trees. Often go out to my deck to watch the sun going down, If I'm lucky there will be a few clouds in the sky giving off a sunset. As we all know, it changes so quickly. Then that sudden last burst of color, and then that quieter softer look of dusk and twilight. All good in their own right.

I've never been to the North-West. I wonder if the change in latitude affects the lighting during the seasons. Is there more gold in the skies during the autumn/early winter where I live? Is it all about clouds? This seams like something I should know.

[Scuba]

8. Great shots, thanks for sharing!!

[Solly Mack]

9. Excellent photos!

I love, love number 1!!

I love them all.

[CrispyQ]

10. They are all fabulous! Love the posing seal!

But that first shot is postcard perfect!

Looks like a fun day.

[mnhtnbb]

11. Nice trip to the beach!

Alien crop circles made me laugh!

[Adsos Letter]

12. Love Fort Ross.

One of our favorite places on the coast.

I really like these, but I really, really like that alien crop circle you stumbled upon.