The light was pretty good all day,but I was working and couldn’t go out when I wanted to.
I had to wait until 3 pm or so and by that time the sun had gone into a cloud bank! I got suckered and the photographic year went out with a whimper!
I missed the good light and the sun got snuffed. Not a good sign for next year!
I only took a few shots tonight and basically did what Frank and Frieda did……….chilled.
Good health to all of you !
Month: December 2010
Frank and Frieda Chillin
yes,thats them on the far right perched.
They both seemed to be waiting for the New Year like everyone else?
Coast Guard Helicopter at Sunset
Walking About
The beach had alot more people milling about than normal.
Which is to be expected at New Years Eve! Alot of people come into Tofino for the holidays.
Which is to be expected at New Years Eve! Alot of people come into Tofino for the holidays.
Lighthouse Sunset
Well,I’m back in the saddle!
I just got back from my Christmas vacation and was greeted by a beautiful day/sunset at the beach!
I had a great time visiting my sister back in my home town! Another sister came down to visit acouple of times as well!
It’s always great to sleep in your own bed however.
Looks like we are in a small high pressure cell right now,so tomorrow should be just as good as today!
I want to get out in the boat to visit my friends!
Stay tuned folks
Sunset Kiss
She leaned over and kissed her partner and I was in a perfect spot to take advantage of it!
Sunset Flying
Taking a Shot
I got a shot of someone else taking a shot himself!
Miscellaneous Beach Shots at Sunset
UPDATE ( Dec 21)- I have gone on a Christmas Vacation until the end of the month,so I will not be uploading anything until than.
Have a great time with your loved ones and good health to you all for the coming year!
Have a great time with your loved ones and good health to you all for the coming year!
Wave Rider
I think they call these “Wave Riders”,but am not sure. He was doing his thing and I tried to shoot him with the Lighthouse in behind.
They seem very mobile!
They seem very mobile!
Wick Surf
Various Surf Shots
I went out to the beach this afternoon. The tide was fairly high and the surf was up! There was alittle light able to get through,but nothing close to what I prefer!
There were a few good rollers coming in!
There were a few good rollers coming in!
Tofino Air Taking Off
Lighthouse Surf
Beach Stroll
Both the couple and birds were strolling on the beach .
Ernie and Ethel
The female is the one on the right.
They were named by a local family. The Palms on Strawberry Island.
There is a perch tree on Strawberry that they always use. I know it very well. I’m not sure if it was the male or female,but one of them had been perched and a someone shot it. The poor thing fell to the ground and was found by one of the Palms at the base of the tree. They took it in to nurse it. They had to wrap it up with a blanket to restrict it’s movement. They cared for it as much as they could and went to bed for the night.
I’ll always remember Coral Palm telling me how she woke up early to go see how their new found guest was doing,only to find out that it was out of it’s straight jacket and had crapped everywhere!
I do not know if you ever have seen a eagle let loose but it could paint a small boat!
I guess the eagle had pulled a “Houdini” and gotten out of it’s prison and had to go. And when you gotta go……you gotta go!
I only got a few shots today. A small clearing opened up in the afternoon. I saw it coming. I went out to Chestermans for a walk with a friend.
Heading Out
These guys were just arriving for a afternoons surf. The surf looked big! Not a beginners surf !
Frank
Frank was cruising above the beach trees. They catch the wind coming off of the ocean. The wind comes off the ocean horizontally and is forced verticaly when it hits the trees.
Eagles are lifted by this upward current,but can only soar along the beach/forest line. They have to keep doing small circles to travel down that line.
Eagles are lifted by this upward current,but can only soar along the beach/forest line. They have to keep doing small circles to travel down that line.
Light Flash- Wave Crash Game
On poor light days like today,I sometimes go out to the beach and play a game with the Lighthouse and the waves.
I try to shoot the waves crashing at the same moment the light flashes. Sounds simple,but it’s not.
The light has a 10-11 second cycle. I count to myself and it gives me a rough idea when it’s going to flash next.
I than watch the waves while I’m counting to myself and try to guess if it’ll hit at just the right moment.
I’ve gotten much better at it over the years. The waves were not too big today,but big enough to play.
I try to shoot the waves crashing at the same moment the light flashes. Sounds simple,but it’s not.
The light has a 10-11 second cycle. I count to myself and it gives me a rough idea when it’s going to flash next.
I than watch the waves while I’m counting to myself and try to guess if it’ll hit at just the right moment.
I’ve gotten much better at it over the years. The waves were not too big today,but big enough to play.
Sunset Panoramic
I like going out to the beach after a good rain.The land “bleeds” all that rain water out onto the beach and makes a really nice mirror !
If the sunset “goes”,the reflection can add a really nice dimension to the shot!
You can look down the beach and see where the rain water comes out and whats more,you can watch that line descend towards the ocean as the days go on and the land drains!
Wave Sequence
I didn’t get out in the boat today. The clouds looked to tight. So I went out to the Chesterman’s beach. The clouds near the horizon looked promising.
A rainbow came out for 20 minutes or so.
A rainbow came out for 20 minutes or so.
Chesterman’s Beach Rainbow Panoramic
I shot this from Frank Island .
The rainbow was only showing near the ground and did not complete the arch.
It goes from the Wick to Long Beach Lodge.
It’s probably about 160 degrees or so and is composed of 18 shots!
Frank’s Sunset
It’s hard to see in this shot,but Frank is on the nest tree.
Top centre. Right above that little patch of white.
Jim and Jane
I met this couple down on the beach. Nice couple.
Lighthouse Sunset
Frank Island
Frank’s Sunset
Sunset Stroll
The Kristy & Amy
This is a crabbing boat. I see it out all the time.
It was my first victim of the day. I got out in the boat today and went out earlier than what I normally do. Theres a Frontal system coming and today was the only good day for awhile! So I took advantage of it and went out earlier.
I went up Tofino Inlet to Almond Islet. It’s on the south side of Warne Island.
Theres always a eagle there. Today the Inlet had many Sea Lions basking in the sunshine. They’ve all moved back into the Inlet for the winters storms. I originally wanted to head down to Cannery Bay to get some shots of them on the rocks. They like it on the rocks just out in front of Cannery.
I had to stop at Almond Islet. There wasn’t enough time to go to Cannery Bay and go out to the Lighthouse for sunset. So ,I turned around after Almond Islet and went right through town to the Lighthouse area. There were no clouds on the horizon and I knew the colours would come out.
It was my first victim of the day. I got out in the boat today and went out earlier than what I normally do. Theres a Frontal system coming and today was the only good day for awhile! So I took advantage of it and went out earlier.
I went up Tofino Inlet to Almond Islet. It’s on the south side of Warne Island.
Theres always a eagle there. Today the Inlet had many Sea Lions basking in the sunshine. They’ve all moved back into the Inlet for the winters storms. I originally wanted to head down to Cannery Bay to get some shots of them on the rocks. They like it on the rocks just out in front of Cannery.
I had to stop at Almond Islet. There wasn’t enough time to go to Cannery Bay and go out to the Lighthouse for sunset. So ,I turned around after Almond Islet and went right through town to the Lighthouse area. There were no clouds on the horizon and I knew the colours would come out.
The FLASHER
It’s got to be a guy!!
Birds spread their wings when they want dry out them out and/or cool down.
However…..the sun is in behind him in the other direction! It must be trying to dry/warm the backside of it’s wings.
Blue Heron Jumping
I liked the calmness of the water. It gave a nice reflection.
Coming in
Buffalo Head
I found a female Buffalo head down at Tsappee Narrows.
Hitting
Farm Boat
I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that this is a Fish Farm boat and he was probably coming from one of “Mainstreams” farms up in Fortune Channel!
You can see a Fish Farm in the background. That one is owned by Creative Salmon and is the Warne Island Farm. I’m looking east down Tofino Inlet.
Sea Lion
I came across a few of these guys up the Inlet. They seemed to be in their own little world. I have no idea what they were doing,but I have seen this behavior before! It almost seems as if they were enjoying something! What that something is………I don’t have a clue?
I can get close to them when their doing their thing because they are preoccupied and not paying close attention to whats going on around them!
I can get close to them when their doing their thing because they are preoccupied and not paying close attention to whats going on around them!
Sea Lions
There was a group of Sea Lions by Almond Islet. They seemed to like to stick their flippers and tail up into the air.
I’m going to assume that they do this to warm up the extremities?
I’m going to assume that they do this to warm up the extremities?
Almond Islet Eagle and Crows
The crows landed all around the eagle. They do that so as to bug the eagle! It’s a less strenuous method of getting a eagle to move! Crows are constantly harassing eagles! A crows strength can be found in their numbers. They are a member of the Corvid family as well and as a result, very intelligent!
I have never seen a eagle attacking a Crow or a Crows nest. I’ve have read that they do raid the nests for the eggs,which I’m sure is the root of the discord!
I have never seen a eagle attacking a Crow or a Crows nest. I’ve have read that they do raid the nests for the eggs,which I’m sure is the root of the discord!
Gull,Mallards,Kingfisher
The Neighbours
I see these eagles occasionally. They are the neighbours to the Tsappee Narrows couple. I was just watching the Daredevil and he took off across the inlet in a hurry! He landed on a perch close to these guys. Eagles are in a constant state of fending off encroachment and or trespassing!
The Daredevil was just watching them. I could draw a line where their territory’s meet. I know the exact limits and so do the four of them!
Think of them like a small gang in LA! They know their turf and defend it!
Profile at Sunset
I couldn’t get him to pose directly looking into the light! He just gave me a profile and that was it!
They just never seems to listen to me!
Shadow Eagle
The Daredevil went close to the ground and the low winters sun produced his shadow.
I wonder if it is like the Groundhog in the Spring? I can see his shadow………so 6 more months of Winter!
Maybe I should stick to shooting and leave the weather predictions to the Pro’s!
I wonder if it is like the Groundhog in the Spring? I can see his shadow………so 6 more months of Winter!
Maybe I should stick to shooting and leave the weather predictions to the Pro’s!
Strathcona Heron
The tide was out,so all the birds were on the Mudflats to get supper.
Frank Island House
I know the owners of this house. They are both very nice people. I shot this one to thank them for allowing me to hike on their property. Frank Island is a private island,but they do allow people to access it in the middle of the island. People gravitate towards the middle of the island for sunsets.
Wickaninnish Inn at Sunset
Whenever I go out by the Lighthouse,I always shoot the Wick.
A friend asked me why I shoot the Wick so much! I explained that the Wick is the only subject I can shoot in front of Strathcona. Strathcona faces south and so does the Wick.
I knew that the mountains of Strathcona would turn pink tonight. There were no clouds on the western horizon. Thats when the longest wavelengths can be seen………….the pinks!
Watch as how the light goes from gold to pink to a cooler tone in the transition .
This is the reason why I went out there tonight. Normally I do not go out there at this time of year! It’s just to rough for my little boat. It wasn’t too rough,but I still had to watch every wave that I was going to hit. I can get thrown out of the boat if I hit a wave on a angle! I always am very careful when I go out here and even more so when the waves are up a bit!
A friend asked me why I shoot the Wick so much! I explained that the Wick is the only subject I can shoot in front of Strathcona. Strathcona faces south and so does the Wick.
I knew that the mountains of Strathcona would turn pink tonight. There were no clouds on the western horizon. Thats when the longest wavelengths can be seen………….the pinks!
Watch as how the light goes from gold to pink to a cooler tone in the transition .
This is the reason why I went out there tonight. Normally I do not go out there at this time of year! It’s just to rough for my little boat. It wasn’t too rough,but I still had to watch every wave that I was going to hit. I can get thrown out of the boat if I hit a wave on a angle! I always am very careful when I go out here and even more so when the waves are up a bit!
Lighthouse Sunset
Sunset Flight
I found this shot kind of interesting.
There are two jets flying in behind Tofino Air’s Beaver. You can see the small con-trails.
Three planes all flying in the same direction!
The afterglow was excellent,but I didn’t have any subject material!
Middle Beach Lodge after Sunset
Take Off
The Daredevil was perched and I just waited for him to jump. It took about 10 minutes or so of waiting. The blood in my arms drains after awhile and the camera become heavy. I cannot use a tripod in the boat. The boats moving, so the use of the tripod is useless. A tripod is generally only used on solid land.
However, I guess you could use one on a large boat,but you will have to use a faster than normal shutter speed. If you do use a tripod,there is going to be movement , so you have to use a very fast shutter speed to capture whatever it is your shooting. If the subject is moving it’s self……….. well,your really asking for trouble than!
Eagles move very very fast and when you have a lens that brings you close to them………………it’s even faster!
I could of used a tripod in this case however. I beached the boat and just waited and waited……
However, I guess you could use one on a large boat,but you will have to use a faster than normal shutter speed. If you do use a tripod,there is going to be movement , so you have to use a very fast shutter speed to capture whatever it is your shooting. If the subject is moving it’s self……….. well,your really asking for trouble than!
Eagles move very very fast and when you have a lens that brings you close to them………………it’s even faster!
I could of used a tripod in this case however. I beached the boat and just waited and waited……
The Daredevil and Romeo
I was able to get out in the boat today. The light was great up until the time I wanted to go out! Some Cirrus clouds moved in and diffused the light too much.It really choked off the light. The best thing I could do was to silhouette the eagles against the sky. Better contrast.
The sun did come out of that Cirrus cloud right near sunset. It was a great sunset. If you were out at the beach,it would of been one of those sunsets you’d always remember!.
Unfortunately ,Wickaninnish Island and Vargas Island block my view to the west. It was too rough to go out to the Lighthouse and I didn’t have time anyways. Thats where the money shots were tonight.
Photography is all about being at the right place,at the right time.
I missed it tonight,but I’m sure one is just around the corner.
Romeo is the one on the ground. The rest are the Daredevil.
The sun did come out of that Cirrus cloud right near sunset. It was a great sunset. If you were out at the beach,it would of been one of those sunsets you’d always remember!.
Unfortunately ,Wickaninnish Island and Vargas Island block my view to the west. It was too rough to go out to the Lighthouse and I didn’t have time anyways. Thats where the money shots were tonight.
Photography is all about being at the right place,at the right time.
I missed it tonight,but I’m sure one is just around the corner.
Romeo is the one on the ground. The rest are the Daredevil.
Tofino Photography 