Basilica

For Skywatch Friday, here's a shot of the basilica at Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo.

And one more from the same mission.

I had a couple of questions as to why Copper Mountain (and most of the other Colorado ski resorts) close when there's still so much snow. It's a simple matter of economics - tourists don't plan ski trips this late in the season so it's mostly locals. And that won't pay the costs of running a resort.

Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo (2)

My second post about Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo will focus on its basilica.

It's a beautiful building and still used for services.

Here's a close-up of the altar.

There are other rooms as well.

Finally, here's a whimsical look at the ceiling, shot with a fisheye lens.

Our World Tuesday

Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo (1)

When in California I love to visit the old missions that run along the whole state. This post features some outside shots of Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, near Monterey. It is the only California mission to have it's original bell tower.

It's a beautifully preserved set of buildings with a lovely courtyard.

Covered walkways always catch my eye.

What a peaceful place.

For those interested, it's very much worth a visit.

Inspired Sunday

Point Lobos Coast & Trees

To finish up my series on Point Lobos in California, here are some general photos.

I'll never tire of shorelines like this.

What a wonderful, rugged coastline!

I also loved seeing the trees here as they're so different from the dry climate where I live.

There's plenty of moss.

What a lot of green!

Our World Tuesday

Point Lobos Coves

Point Lobos in California has numerous little photogenic coves. Here's China Cove.

Hiking around to the top shows a totally different view.

The aptly named Cypress Cove is another pretty one.

These windblown trees are so distinctive.

It's so different from our local Colorado scenery!

Our World Tuesday

Rocky Point Lobos

Point Lobos in California is very rocky.

I found this lovely rocky reflection.

I definitely recommend visiting this park if you're in the Monterey area.

You can even find a beach!

Weekend Green

Weekend Reflections

Pacific Coast Highway (3)

Here are some final shots from the Pacific Coast Highway near Monterey - it's an area that was simply shown as "Dune Park".

I loved the wildflowers in this area (probably flowering bushes rather than actual flowers, but I'm not an expert).

I'll never tire of that rugged coastline.

Our World Tuesday

Birds!

Here's another shot from last year's trip to California, some nesting seabirds at Point Lobos near Monterey. I've got a lot more to come from this beautiful park.

Camera Critters

Saturday's Critters

Pacific Coast Highway (2)

Here are some more shots from a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway in California.

Along this stretch is the famous Bixby Creek Bridge.

Here's a close-up of it.

A few flowers were out while I was there.

It's certainly a rugged coastline!

Our World Tuesday

Pacific Coast Highway (1)

When we were in Monterey I took a little drive down the famous Pacific Coast Highway, which runs along the rugged coastline. It's got lots of little bays like this one.

The morning was foggy (common in this part of the world) so the light was flat, but I took what I could get.

There's more to come from this drive.

Our World Tuesday

Los Angeles 1988 (2)

Here's another Skywatch Friday shot from my first time on Los Angeles in 1988, scanned from an old slide. Lots of fog and smog below the mountain.

Half Dome

To finish my series on Yosemite, here are a few shots of Half Dome, probably the park's most famous sight.

Our World Tuesday

Yosemite Reflections

We didn't have time to do much hiking during our one day at Yosemite, but the trail we did take (Mirror Lake) led to this fabulous scene. I captured all these shots with my ultra-wide-angle fisheye lens; nothing else in the kit did the job.

Here's a slightly wider view of it.

And another a little further down the stream.

Definitely worth the walk, and a perfect Weekend Reflections post.

Yosemite Redwoods

I often make trees look taller with my wide-angle fisheye lens, but these Yosemite Redwoods really are some of the tallest trees in the world.

Skywatch Friday

Yosemite Tunnel Overlook

One of the classic stops in Yosemite is the Tunnel View and it's easy to see why. El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Falls are all visible in this stunning vista.

This is such a classic glacier-carved valley!

I could have stayed here all day but it was time to move on...

Our World Tuesday