Northern California

Marching Water Ants

Having been to this event once before, I knew that getting to the beach early was a necessity. Jens and I drove down and got there around 3 so we didn't have to stress about getting a parking space. We had a lovely time exploring the rest of Pfeiffer Beach before showtime. As the sun was going down and the tripods started multiplying on the beach, I could only imagine that there were even more photographers cursing in their cars unable to get into the tiny parking lot.

End of the World

Infinite Layers

There are two ways to get here: the wet way and the slide down on your butt and hope you don't fall off the cliff way. I'm bringing a rope next time.

Last Light on Bonsai

Taking in the Show

The Crack

There's not a whole lot to say about this location since it's become a staple in the Bay Area. I'm just going to describe my most memorable experience here. It's not PG-13. Probably about an hour before sunset, I got to Davenport, walked down the beach towards the crack and noticed a bunch of probably high school aged kids. As I came around the corner there were two teenagers, one, umm, pleasuring the other. As soon as they saw me they jumped, cleaned up and ran back out to their friends apologizing. Let's just say that wasn't the crack I expected to see.

Cotton Candy Storm

Back in the pre-Escaype days I read the weather reports just looking for clouds. To be honest, I didn't know much of the other physics of getting a burning sunset or sunrise at the time, so I went out only knowing half the equation. But I got lucky sometimes. Of course the creepy guy who wanted to get high with me on the way back did harshen my buzz.

The Road to Beelzebot

My first try at a great San Jose location. Couldn't have been luckier, both with the sky (freaking spectacular) and the company (running into Aaron M).

250ºF

Milky Bonsai

Winter Wonderland

This was the second weekend in a row that Martin and I drove up to Yosemite in the hopes of catching fresh snow in Yosemite. The first time there was some snow, but the skies were clear by the time we got there (4am). This time it took some time for the skies to clear. But as they did we got this magical soft light on the snow. Having grown up in California, I can only assume this is the definition of a Winter Wonderland.

Pacific Falls

Night Fog

Metastable

Trenteadue

Stars, No Stripes

This was my first ever Milky Way shot. It was 4th of July weekend and I was at my buddy's place a block from Donner Lake. We walked down to the lake with some beers to hang out on one of the docks. I had no idea what to expect but I set up my tripod, jacked up the ISO and did a 30 second shot. When I looked at the result I was psyched. This is probably still one of my favorite Milky Way shots.

Icy Captain

Alone with the Stars

Martin finally dragged me out with Dan for an all night star hunting expidition. Using a star tracker for the first time really allowed me to get details in the Milky Way I'd never seen before. But I assume this tree sees them all the time.