Tag Archives: bay

Crissy Field Windsurfers

wpid10508-C59F8577.jpgOne weekend afternoon, we ended a day out by heading down to Crissy Field in San Francisco. With the nice weather on the bay, plenty of people were out making the most of things. This included a bunch of kids paddling in the water and a lot more people out either windsurfing or kite-boarding. At this time of day, the sun is off to the west so backlights anything that is in the direction of the Golden Gate Bridge. However, this had a pretty pleasing effect with the bridge both backlit and also in the edge of some fog that was lingering out in the entrance to the bay. The backlight also worked well with the sails and kites that the people were using out on the water.

wpid10512-C59F8585.jpgI wasn’t shooting with the longest lens but it was enough to get a good view of the guys out there. One of the guys had a foil on his board which meant he was well out of the water when he had some speed. Others were getting plenty of air which always looks cool. Having so many of them zooming around at one time looked very nice. I might have to go back specifically to shoot this I a bit more detail. Shortly before we left, we even managed to get a Beaver on floats flying through the scene. I can always squeeze an aviation theme in if I try (as if getting air or foiling wasn’t enough).

Some Bay Birds

wpid6121-AU0E9860.jpgShooting down by the Bay in San Francisco always provides lots of bird activity.  This time there was plenty going on including one flock that decided to fly around in front of me just as something interesting was taking off.  However, they also provide a chance to shoot something different while waiting for the planes to move.  I have done this on many occasions including here.

wpid6127-AU0E9944.jpgThis time there was one bird that looked particularly interesting to me.  I have tried looking it up and my book of birds suggests it might be a Western Grebe.  I am not an ornithologist so don’t take this as a fact but it certainly looks like that.  However, some bird species look identical to a non-expert like me so I can’t say for sure.

wpid6124-AU0E9863.jpgWe also had a flock of shore birds swooping around.  They were a mix of different types and I will make no effort to identify them.  However, the business of the group is what attracted my attention. There were also gulls, of course, but they provide good practice for tracking!

wpid6119-AU0E9608.jpg

 

Pelicans

wpid5280-AU0E2378.jpgI was out shooting with my friend Hayman in the San Francisco Bay area.  Our primary goals were aviation (of course) but one of the nice things about the Bay is that some cool wildlife also lives there.  I am always keen to see the pelicans that live there.  They will often be seen cruising along the shoreline.  Occasionally you will see them fishing as well.  The plunge into the water with wings folded back is very impressive.

wpid5276-AU0E2176.jpgI suspect if you grew up with them around, you wouldn’t be so bothered and maybe view them as nothing more than a larger seagull.  However, I didn’t grow up with them so they always get me interested.  This day wasn’t the best to try and shoot them but I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity whenever one (or more) flew by.  Hopefully I will be back in the Bay before too long and I might make an effort to focus on them for a change.

wpid5278-AU0E2355.jpg

Hanalei

The place we stay on Kauai is a short journey from the lovely town of Hanalei.  You drop down the side of the hill and cross the river to get to the town which is beside a lovely bay.  It certainly isn’t a large town – this is Kauai after all – but it has a few nice shops and some good places to eat.  However, the best feature is the bay.  (No sign of Puff the Magic Dragon though!)

As the sun goes down, the light on the beach is really attractive.  Not only is it a beautifully curved beach but the mountains in the background make the whole place feel even more special.  I really could stay there for a very long time.  It is an attractive spot to others as well.  If you have seen the Descendents, this is the beach they walked along and the house that the other family were renting.  Here it is below for those movie buffs amongst you.