Hey – I caught one!!!

What could be more fun than an afternoon of trout fishing with your son! We found this little pond in San Diego County and caught limits of trout in a couple of hours.

O — Deer!

Two young California Mule Deer in the wild. I was returning to a campground in the California High Sierra and happened to see these deer on a dirt road approaching the campground area. I changed to a telephoto lens and positioned myself where I thought they were heading. Sure enough, they came to within less than 100 feet of where I was standing. Talk about being in the right place at the right time! You can see more of these two deer on my website.

These Boots Are Made For Walkin . . .

What kind of a story can these boots tell? Where have they been? Who wore them? What are they used for? Send us your essay and we’ll publish the winner next week.

Cinco de Mayo! – the Kook

The Kook celebrates Batalla de Puebla on the 5th of May. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day.

Does These Look Tasty?

Are you a fish? Then they probably don’t. To saltwater fish in the surf, these represent their food! See those little sand crabs on the left? Yummy!

The Kook Celebrates Earth Day!

“Recycle, Reuse, Reduce” the Kook cries out to the world on Earth Day, to raise everyone’s awareness of the need to recycle and reduce waste.

I Feel A Little Slow Today

A Desert Tortoise strolls along in the Mojave Desert of California.

Happy Birthday Van Gogh – the Kook

The Cardiff Kook was decked out as an artist, complete with easel and brush and an impressionist painting signed “kook”, in honor of Vincent Van Gogh’s birthday.

Where Do I Go From Here???

The Cardiff Kook sculpture in Encinitas, California. The surfer appears to be falling off the rock from this angle. Although the statue has come under heavy criticism for the way the surfer is portrayed, you can’t deny it’s popularity.

I Gotta Run!!

A wild Chukar escapes into the brush of the desert. This wily bird is seldom seen by the casual visitor to the desert, but they are out there! This is a less than perfect photo but believe me, these are one of the hardest birds to photograph out there!

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a … ????

There was a strange sight at the Torrey Pines Glider port when this manned craft appeared in the sky. It flew like a glider, but must have had some kind of propulsion. It was able to stay out of the way of the hang gliders and parasailers, sharing the airspace over he cliffs with a spectacular view of the ocean.

Ten Commandments – of Surfing!

They’ve done it again! The mystery team that dresses the Cardiff Kook has him cloaked and carrying the Ten Commandments of Surfing. Only in California. For more photos of the Cardiff Kook, visit my website.

I’m Mr Lonely

Carlsbad beach looks pretty lonely this time of year – come back in a few months and try to find a place to park!

The Cardiff Kook in soccer garb!

On a sunny Saturday morning, I happened to go by the Magic Carpet Ride sculpture with my camera and lo and behold – he was decked out as a soccer play by one of the local soccer leagues!
BTXFDVP7H4MQ

Oceanside Pier

We have four great fishing piers in San Diego, here is one of them. The Oceanside Pier is one of the nicest in the county, with a great restaurant, Ruby’s, at the end with a spectacular view of the ocean. This shot was taken on a clear winter morning.

Mount Whitney

At 14,505 feet, Mt Whitney is the tallest peak in the continental United States. Located on the Sierra Crest near Lone Pine, California, it can be seen from Highway 395 as you drive through the Owens Valley. If you look closely, you can see wisps of clouds streaming from the top of the peak. Known for weather extremes, climbers need to watch the weather closely before making the ascent at any time of the year.

Wildlife Guzzler

Water means life in the desert for all kinds of wildlife. This wildlife guzzler was built and is maintained by Quail Unlimited. Hunters were the first conservationists and continue to lead the efforts for wildlife.

Henry’s Fork on a summer day

The Millionaire’s Pool on the Henry’s Fork as it flows through Harriman State Park

Alpine Lake in Nevada

In Nevada? Yes, this beautiful alpine lake is in Nevada. The last time I was there, trout were dimpling the surface everywhere and there were only 2 people fishing! Send me an email and I’ll send you a map.

Cardiff Kook the Veteran!

In honor of Veteran’s Day, they outfitted the surfer in a Marine combat uniform. Any comments?

Magic Carpet Ride

This sculpture of a surfer, named “Magic Carpet Ride”, has met with a lot of controversy since it appeared at the entrance to San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff, CA. Known locally as the “Cardiff Kook”, it was met with derision from the local surf fraternity, who say it does not represent their idea of a surfer on a surf board. See other photos of the sculpture on my Photoshelter site.

The Long and Winding Road

This road winding up the mountain leads to Angel Lake near Wells, Nevada. You say Nevada? That hot dry desert? Yes, this is the Nevada many people don’t see. You don’t know what you’re missing!

Millionaire’s Pool

The “Millionaire’s Pool” on the Henry’s Fork, called that after becoming a favorite fishing spot for Averill Harriman and his millionaire guests at the Railroad Ranch.

Osborn Bridge

The Osborn Bridge on the Henry’s Fork, Harriman State Park, Idaho. This old bridge is still used by hikers, fishermen, ATVers for crossing the river. Last summer I saw a small herd of cattle cross the river here, the cowboys used the bridge to keep dry!

Let’s Go Fishing!

A young fly fisherman on the banks of Valley Creek gets ready for action. Valley Creek flows into the Salmon River in Stanley, Idaho.

Buzzard’s Roost

An old Miner’s cabin known as “Buzzard’s Roost” in the El Paso Mountains near Randsburg, California.

Lower Owens River

A duck enjoys the rewatered section of the lower Owens River near Lone Pine, CA

Roundup!

It’s almost roundup time again in Idaho!

What Do You Think?

This guy sits in the Cedros Design District in Solana Beach watching over the crowds as they go about their business.

Riderless Parasail

A parasail at the Torrey Pines Glider Port appears to be without a pilot

A Tandem Ride

On a sunny afternoon at the Torrey Pines Glider Port near La Jolla, two people ride a parasail over the cliffs with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. Tandem rides are offered for a fee to the public, not for the faint of heart. This pair were actually flying below the top of the cliffs on much of their ride and needed strong thermals to get them back up for a safe landing.

Bear Creek

A recent trip in to Bear Creek shows the flow strong for this time of year. As anyone who has tried to fly fish there in the last couple of years knows, the willows and trees have pretty much taken over the creek bed. This small stream flows out of Big Bear Lake and eventually into the Santa Ana River before becoming a domestic water source.

Antelope Pass

Antelope Pass, at nearly 9,000 feet, is at the Southeast end of the Copper Basin, East of Ketchum and Sun Valley, Idaho.

A Great Catch on the Madison

The end of a good day on the Madison River for this guide and his fishermen!

Don’t Get Caught!

Saltwater Fly imitating a baitfish

Hemingway Memorial at Silver Creek

The Hemingway’s legacy at Silver Creek includes countless hunting trips for Ernest, his cronies and his boys. Surprisingly, Ernest Hemingway did little fishing in Idaho. His love of the Silver Creek area was because of his upland bird and waterfowl hunting trips in the fall. Jack Hemingway was the prime force behind the purchase of Silver Creek from the Sun Valley Company and the subsequent laison with the Nature Conservancy.

Silver Creek

One of Idaho’s blue-ribbon trout streams, located about 30 miles South of Sun Valley. The slow spring creek water is a challenge to fly fishermen from around the world.

Parasailing at the Torrey Pines Glider Port

The Torrey Pines Glider Port is located on the bluff next to the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course, adjacent to UCSD and North of La Jolla

Mining Shack

This was the home to a miner in the Mojave Desert for 40 years

Lower Owens River below Tinemaha Reservoir

The river channel below the Tinemaha Reservoir. Photo was taken in early May, showing a lot of water available for the lower section.

The sign says it all!

On a cold January morning last year, I ran across this sign while photographing the dust mitigation area on Owens Lake near Lone Pine, California. Concerned that their berms were being damaged by careless equipment operators, the project put up several of these signs. The humor was not lost on anyone who happened to be in the area.

Lower Owens River Update

The Lower Owens River rewatering project is alive and well as you can see in this photo. Water levels are steady, I saw a lot of fisherman using the resource and lots of waterfowl enjoying their new home! You can download a goecoded copy of this photo to pinpoint the exact location.

Where does the tunnel lead?

One of the entrances to the Silver Reef Mine on the back side of the San Bernardino Mountains in California. A geocoded copy linking the photo to a map is available on my website.

Store for Rent

Prime retail location in Randsburg, hurry, wont last! Like to see where this is located? Download a geocoded image from my website.

This Old House

The house Burro Schmidt lived in for nearly 40 years while digging his tunnel through the mountain by hand. Located in the El Paso Mountains of the Mojave Desert near Randsburg, California. You can see the exact location on a map by downloading the photo from my website.

Up, Up and Away!!

Digital painting of hot air balloon near San Diego

Mosquito Time

Almost mosquito time

Just hanging around

A tandem Hang Glider at the Torrey Pines glider port

Could-it-be-a Seal Rock

This seal never made it back in the water!

The Sailor returns to his Sweetheart

This sculpture is one of many located next to the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier in San Diego.