Big Sur // Monterey, CA - 2025
I always love driving up the California Coast. My first trip was a drive out to San Francisco around 1993 with two buddies of mine.
We had no agenda or reservations. We just drove up and found a place to stay in the raunchiest hotel in Berkeley that I have ever stayed in…
Glad we survived.
We stopped at this cool pizza place called The Big Sur Taphouse and there were several of these blue jays around. There was too much in the background to get any good pictures of them, but this one stood out for me. I felt the silhouette in B&W stood out more. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/4 ISO 100 1/1000s.
Big Sur Cliffside. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/3.5 ISO 100 1/640s.
Solo Flight in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/3.5 ISO 100 1/640s.
The Hidden Village. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 39mm - f/4 ISO 100 1/800s.
...and it was all yellow. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 29mm - f/4 ISO 100 1/1250s.
...and it was all black and white. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 29mm - f/4 ISO 100 1/1250s.
The Solid Ground Between The Movement Above And Below in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/5.6 ISO 100 1/1250s.
The Solid Ground Between The Movement Above And Below in higher contrast B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/5.6 ISO 100 1/1250s.
Taking Formation. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/800s.
Rock Formations. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 56mm - f/5.6 ISO 100 1/800s.
A Flock Of Pelicans. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/5.6 ISO 100 1/800s.
The Path To The Sea in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 24mm - f/5.6 ISO 100 1/800s.
The Crash. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/5.6 ISO 100 1/800s.
The Crash in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/5.6 ISO 100 1/800s.
Clear A Path For The Trees. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/5.6 ISO 100 1/400s.
This End Leads To The Beginning. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 24mm - f/6.3 ISO 100 1/800s.
The Trees Talk To The Wind. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 48mm - f/6.3 ISO 100 1/400s.
Minimal Shade in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 24mm - f/5.6 ISO 100 1/160s.
After spending time at the beach in Big Sur we stopped over at the Marina in Monterey and had dinner on the pier just before nightfall. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 36mm - f/5.6 ISO 100 1/160s.
Sail Monterey. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 24mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/800s.
Coming Your Way. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 24mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/400s.
The Rock Of Elimination. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/4 ISO 100 1/400s.
Elimination Rock v2.0. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 135mm - f/5.6 ISO 50 1/1000s.
You can never predict the weather or when to leave your camera behind. We ventured onto the 17-Mile Scenic Drive in Monterey and this is basically the before shot for everything to follow. Editing took quite some time but I'm glad I didn't leave my camera behind. BEFORE: Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 111mm - f/5.6 ISO 50 1/400s.
AFTER: Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 111mm - f/5.6 ISO 50 1/400s.
Follow The Leader. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 111mm - f/6.3 ISO 50 1/400s.
We Live In The Water. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 111mm - f/5.6 ISO 50 1/400s.
The Tilted Tree in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/5.6 ISO 50 1/400s.
The Tree Of Sadness. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 89mm - f/5.6 ISO 50 1/400s.
The Tree Of Sadness in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 89mm - f/5.6 ISO 50 1/400s.
The Crash Behind the Cliff. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/5.6 ISO 50 1/800s.
The Big Splash! Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/5.6 ISO 50 1/800s.
The Big Splash cropped in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/5.6 ISO 50 1/800s.
Exploration Pt. 1. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/5.6 ISO 100 1/800s.
Exploration Pt. 2 in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/5.6 ISO 100 1/800s.
First Offspring in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 158mm - f/5.6 ISO 50 1/640s.
These Waves Will Not Knock Me Down! Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 113mm - f/4 ISO 100 1/2500s.
These Waves Will Not Knock Me Down in B&W! Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 113mm - f/4 ISO 100 1/2500s.
OceanSprayed. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 153mm - f/4 ISO 100 1/2500s.
OceanSprayed in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 153mm - f/4 ISO 100 1/2500s.
There was this sea lion just moving about with the waves. Unfortunately even at 200mm you can't get that close, but you can see the waves that he was easily navigating. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 200mm - f/4 ISO 100 1/2500s.
Hazy Blue Sea. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 200mm - f/4 ISO 100 1/2500s.
The Ocean Mist. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 200mm - f/4 ISO 100 1/2500s.
The Ocean Mist in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 200mm - f/4 ISO 100 1/2500s.
There's plenty to see on the 17-Mile scenic route but my main stop is always here. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 200mm - f/8 ISO 100 1/400s.
The Floating Island Above The Solo Tree. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/4 ISO 100 1/800s.
Get In Closer. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 100mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/1250s.
...in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/1250s.
The Lookout! Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 100mm - f/8 ISO 100 1/320s.
At One With The Salty Breeze. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/8 ISO 100 1/200s.
Running To Stand Still. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/8 ISO 100 1/400s.
Peering Through The Trees. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 86mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/2000s.
Peering Through The Unsaturated Trees. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 86mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/2000s.
Peering Through The Trees in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 86mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/2000s.
The Details In The Foliage. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
The Details In The Foliage in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
Waltz With The Trees. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/400s.
Misty Lone Cypress in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 168mm - f/8 ISO 100 1/200s.
The Mossy Tree in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/8 ISO 100 1/100s.
The cloud layer was so thick that the peninsula looked like a floating island. While I was out marveling at this site, my family was sitting in the car because it was too cold out, somewhere around 54 degrees F. To us Cali Natives, that's cold! So I have to photograph it for them to enjoy. It doesn't compare to seeing it in real life, but the pictures are always good memories. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/8 ISO 100 1/200s.
Flying Towards The Void. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/8 ISO 100 1/400s.
After The Haze. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/8 ISO 100 1/400s.
California Cold. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/8 ISO 100 1/400s.
California Cold in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/8 ISO 100 1/400s.
Bird Rock Lo-Fi. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 84mm - f/8 ISO 100 1/400s.
The Muted Mission. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/8 ISO 100 1/320s.
The Muted Mission cropped in B&W. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/8 ISO 100 1/320s.
This is a Great Egret aka a Great White Heron. I was watching him from above about 50ft (15 meters) away. A 400mm lens would have been great, but nonetheless, I waited patiently as he was hunting. I was fortunate enough to catch him take flight. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 153mm - f/5.6 ISO 100 1/400s.
Initially I thought he was a crane as we have them out here in Los Angeles along the L.A. River. But one key factor is the neck - the heron has an S shaped neck so he will bend his it back in flight, whereas a crane will fly with its neck completely extended. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm - f/5.6 ISO 100 1/800s.
You see the curve in his neck. I chose to do B&W for most of these shots as the color shots were too washed out and I wanted him to stand out. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 200mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
Getting Ready For Launch. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 200mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
We Have Liftoff! Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 135mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
Catching The Wind. The remaining photos in this album is a sequence of his movement in the air. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 135mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
Above The Beach. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 135mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
Catching More Air. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 135mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
Gliding With The Wind. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 200mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
I Wanna Go Higher. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 135mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
Panning is essential in a case like this. This whole experience only lasted less than 10 seconds after he ascended from the water... Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 200mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
Above The Asphalt. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 200mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
This is probably my favorite shot. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 200mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
Sign Posts Do Not Apply. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 200mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
Angled Extension. Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 200mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.
Lookout Below! Shot taken with a Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 200mm - f/2.8 ISO 100 1/3200s.