Flying in Formation, Wilder Ranch State Park - Santa Cruz, California

I was shooting the coastline at Wilder Ranch State Park in California when I saw these sea gulls passing by. I took a quick shot and just happen to capture them in a neat circular formation.

Santa Cruz • California • Wilder Ranch State Park • Sea Gulls • Ocean >> Show in Gallery

Sleeping Boats, Municipal Wharf - Santa Cruz, California

Taken at the municipal wharf in Santa Cruz, California. These boats were on their side, sleeping, as evening approached. I was attracted by this nice yellow color and the repeating elements.

Santa Cruz • California • Municipal Wharf• Yellow Boats >> Show in Gallery

Wild Flowers, Wilder Ranch State Park - Santa Cruz, California

The striking wild flowers as seen at Wilder Ranch State Park in California. Wilder Ranch is part of the California State Park system and is located just north of Santa Cruz, California. I was attracted by the color of the flowers and its contrast to the cool blue of the ocean. I also found a rustic fence along the trail just as I reached the coast.

Santa Cruz • California • Wilder Ranch State Park • Wild Flowers • Ocean >> Show in Gallery

The View Beyond, Wilder Ranch State Park - Santa Cruz, California

The view beyond the old fence at Wilder Ranch State Park in California. Wilder Ranch is part of the California State Park system and is located just north of Santa Cruz, California. I like the contrast of the rustic fence to the beautiful coastal scenery beyond. There are also some striking wild flowers that I found later along the coastal trail.

Santa Cruz • California • Wilder Ranch State Park • Fence • Beach >> Show in Gallery

Closing Time, Amusement Park - Santa Cruz, California

Blue hour at the Amusement Park on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk taken at closing time. After my stroll thought the beach and wharf at Santa Cruz, I rushed over to the amusement park to get some wide angle blue hour photographs. While I arrived on time to capture the peak blue color, unfortunately, the amusement park was closing down for the evening. I missed the contrast of the man-made lights against the deep blue sky. The ropeway shown nicely blurred in this image was also shutdown less than a minute after I took this photo.

Santa Cruz • California • Amusement Park • Long Exposure • Blue Hour >> Show in Gallery

Marissa, Riva Fish House - Santa Cruz, California

A portrait of Marissa, who works at the Riva Fish House on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. After I took the image of the boat that I posted yesterday, I continued down the wharf to capture more scenes from Santa Cruz. I noticed Marissa through an open window and asked if I could make a portrait. I'm enjoying making environmental portraits like this since it gives some context as to where the person is and what they are doing.

Santa Cruz • California • Municipal Wharf • Riva Fish House • Marissa • Portrait >> Show in Gallery

Boat, Municipal Wharf - Santa Cruz, California

Taken at the municipal wharf in Santa Cruz, California. After I shot scenes at the beach, which I posted over the last couple of days, I walked over to the wharf for some more images from this laid back place. A group of kayakers passed by and can still be seen at the left of the frame. The quality of light was fantastic and I decided to capture the details of the raised boat.

Santa Cruz • California • Municipal Wharf • Boat • Evening >> Show in Gallery

Coin Operated Telescope - Santa Cruz, California

Continuing with the theme of peaceful beach scenes, here is another photograph from Santa Cruz, California. I used the blue coin operated telescope as the focal point with a picturesque, pastel backdrop.

Santa Cruz • California • Coin Operated Telescope • Beach • Boardwalk >> Show in Gallery

Seagull Profile - Santa Cruz, California

A late afternoon scene from Santa Cruz, California taken several months ago. I'm assuming that this is a Seagull but from my quick research, the brown coloration may indicate that it is still a juvenile. The peaceful colors of this image reminds me of the feel of this laid back town.

Santa Cruz • California • Seagull • Beach • Boardwalk >> Show in Gallery

Sarah at Burgers. Restaurant - Santa Cruz, California

A candid portrait of Sarah at Burgers. a restaurant in Santa Cruz, California. Sarah is holding up a mug shot of Jim Morrison of the Doors. The restaurant uses mug shots instead of order numbers to identify customers. I'm not sure if I'm starting a trend of taking candid portraits of order takers at Burger joints but here is another image I took recently at Hopdoddy in Austin. For the record, while the burger at Burgers. in Santa Cruz was tasty, I prefer Hopdody's.

Santa Cruz • California • Burgers. Restaurant • Candid • Portrait >> Show in Gallery