Mountain of Gold

Or Montana de Oro SP as most of us know it. What a great spot! I finally had a chance to take a trek over there on our way home from from visiting family in San Diego. This park really surprised me with photo op possibilities. I loved the many stratified rocks that lined the shore and stuck out like fingers into the ocean. And the large waves just added to the experience. So I will definately be back.

The amount of detail the 5D II exhibits in the originals is pretty crazy. This image looks better in larger form here:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6234693_bgVA8#442299905_Y8y4z-A-LB

Others favorites include:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6234693_bgVA8#442311785_dQmhc-A-LB

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6234693_bgVA8#442019752_gDv2J-A-LB

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6234693_bgVA8#442025626_PuQR9-A-LB

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6234693_bgVA8#442027714_VTLrd-A-LB

Derek

Derek, all are nice, but I would say I prefer number 95 as the better of the group in overall composition and no shadowed area.

Thanks Paul,

I deleted a couple that weren't working for me. So the 95 you were referring to is now 93.

Anyway I think 93 is my favorite as well in terms of composition with the finger reefs pointing straight out into the big waves breaking. From my surfing days I would call it 'I dare you.' LOL...

I really want to head back there in the Spring when the poppies are blooming. This place has a lot of great potential.

Derek

Derek, the glorious Montana de Oro SP otherwise known as "the place where photographers are not welcome" if there are big waves nearby heh. I'm partial to shot #97 since the wave is A-framing

That spot is one of the last 'secret' big wave spots on the Central Coast called Spooner's Cove and the locals get really gnarly with the photographer crowd there when its macking surf. But to me, it's irresistible to see how beautiful it can be there and how dramatic the wave can be. Nonetheless, caution is advised FYI on those types of days. I've heard horror stories of camera gear getting chucked down the cliff and cars getting vandalized.

Some other great personal highlights there are spring wildflowers on good years and a bunch of really good birding locations.

Bryan,

I was wondering if anyone else would notice that wave. The waves that day were actually really good shape and large - double to triple overhead depending on the spot. All the shots I posted were taken on the south trail above Spooner's Cove. There were about ~4 guys out. Here are shots of the cove. They aren't that special so I hadn't posted them. But I really like that arch rock on the south end of the cove:

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/4037468_kxbME#443662774_qriKh-A-LB

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/4037468_kxbME#443658967_w9fpa-A-LB

The waves in photos I posted were from the reefs just to the south. I wonder if anyone ever surfs out there? The rocks are intense!

Thanks for the heads up on the local situation. It is good to be aware of for sure. I used to surf localized spots growing up so I know how ugly it can get. Fortunately the Park is large enough to not have to sit right there in the wrong spot at the wrong time.
And who can resist shooting there especially in Spring with the wildflowers.

Derek

I really like the image that includes that arch. The mixture of those wonderful cloud patterns, the arch and that cliff face make for a very engaging photograph with lots of interest front to back. Good stuff!

Eric,

Thanks for the compliment. And that is kinda funny for me on that one because I thought of it as a throw away for information/scouting purposes only. The photo is straight out of camera with no processing. Maybe I should give it a second look in PS. The not so attractive brush on the left cliff kind of bugs me. Maybe if I cropped that it would work better.

I do like that arch and would really like to shoot there again as it has nice potential.

Derek

Derek, I forgot to mention, beware the poison oak on that cliff face this spring! Its almost as nasty as the Big Sur stuff but has a sneaky ability to blend in with the local fauna without notice. Guess how I discovered that ;)

If you head back that direction, you can imagine the possibilities for long exposures near sunset on those cliffs by the way... great stuff!

I like it. I was just there myself looking at this very scene!