Category Archives: San Diego County

Old Point Loma Lighthouse pictures

March 6, 2012California, Lighthouses, Photography, San Diego CountyMarc Perkins

After taking pictures of pelicans at La Jolla this past January, Greg and I headed down to Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego to get pictures of Old Point Loma Lighthouse. I probably shouldn’t admit this, but the lighthouse was what I was really looking forward to when I woke up that day; birds and sunrises are fun and all, but I have a mild obsession with lighthouses¹.

Old Point Loma Lighthouse stands on the top of a hill at the end of Point Loma, one of the peninsulas that shelter San Diego’s natural harbor.

Old Point Loma Light standing proud, seen end-on from the south on a sunny winter day. The light is in Cabrillo National Monument near San Diego, CA. Framing the lighthouse are three withered agave inflorescences along with fields of green bushes and trees. The assistant keeper's quarters are visible as a separate white building behind the inflorescences. (Marc C. Perkins) — Old Point Loma Lighthouse: From the south.

The two buildings visible in that image are the primary lighthouse (the multi-story painted brick building to the left) and the assistant keeper’s house (to the right).

The lighthouse and its tower are entrancing with their contrast and symmetry:

A somewhat cropped view of Old Point Loma Light as seen from the east on a crystal clear blue sky winter's day. The bright white painted brick building contrasts with the clear blue sky and black lantern room. The flagpole (currently lacking a flag) can be seen to the right of the house. The windows of the lighthouse are just barely visible at the bottom of the crop. While I generally prefer pictures of lighthouses either tightly cropped or whole with their surroundings3, I find this view of the house to be strangely entrancing. It seems to be standing alone in front of a clear blue sky; what's before it and behind it are unknown, open to the viewer to decide. (Marc C. Perkins) — Old Point Loma Lighthouse: From the East.

The lighthouse started operation in 1855 with a Fresnel lens; its light was visible more than 25 miles out to sea. The lighthouse currently contains the Fresnel lens from the Mile Rocks lighthouse that was moved to the lighthouse in the 1980’s and installed with the light offset by a few inches (so it’s not nearly as powerful as it should be).

The lens and latern room are gorgeous up close:

A close-up view of the lantern room and its attached black-painted balcony seen from beneath. The lantern room appears to be towering above the viewer, and the details on the lantern room's green (copper?) roof are easily visible. For instance, the room can be seen to have lion or gargoyle figureheads at each of the room's 10 corners, and above each window is a cut-out pattern in the roof's edging of what look to be waves heading towards each other with the cutouts themselves appearing to be horns. A black ladder climbs to the top of the copper roof, reading the large dome on top. The white, black, and green building contrast beautifully with the dark blue sky. The lighthouse is in Cabrillo National Monument near San Diego, CA. I have another version of this same view that is less cropped, if you want. (Marc C. Perkins) — Old Point Loma's Lantern Room and Attached Balcony

I didn’t notice these fully while on the site, but when I processed the images I discovered that the edge of the tower’s roof is finished with beautiful details:

A highly-cropped detail view of my "Old Point Loma: towering lantern room" image. This crop shows the beautiful details of the construction of the lantern room's room, including lion or gargoyle figureheads at each of the roof's 10 corners, and a vertical cut-out portion of metal above each window. This cut out patterns appears to be made to look like a series of waves heading towards each other, with the cutouts themselves appearing to be horns. The lighthouse is in Cabrillo National Monument near San Diego, CA. As this is a severe crop, this image is not suitable to be printed exceptionally large (maybe up to 8 or 10" wide?), though the image it comes from can probably be printed up to 20"x30". (Marc C. Perkins) — Cropped detail view of "Old Point Loma's Lantern Room and Attached Balcony"

I love the cutouts on the roof’s edging, with their Escher-esque detailing. If you look at the metal itself, it’s cut into patterns of waves flowing into each other, yet if you look at the void spaces you can see either horns or birds (I see horns, Michelle sees birds). There are also gargoyles / lions at each corner of the roof. I wonder if these details are original, or a later addition.

Old Point Loma Light is in Cabrillo National Monument near San Diego, CA. This image is made from just south of the assistant keeper's house, showing the points of both the roofs of that building and the main lighthouse with its chimney. Behind these, standing tall, is the lantern room of the lighthouse, with its installed lens. The bright white buildings contrast with the clear blue sky and black lantern room. (Marc C. Perkins) — Old Point Loma Lighthouse: Angles

As the lighthouse is no longer a functioning navigational light (it was decommissioned in 1891 due to frequent interference from fog), it’s open daily for people to explore. While the latern room itself is sealed off, visitors can climb the staircase to nearly the top of the lighthouse tower (to where the window is in the “From the East” picture above). Climbing lighthouse stairways is just awesome, and this one had a little landing Greg and I could set up on to photograph the beautiful symmetry.

Lighthouse staircases are just plain awesome, and Old Point Loma Light's stairway in Cabrillo National Monument is no exception. Greg and I spent a good half hour up at the top trying various compositions, waiting for people to stop walking in, and admiring the Nautilus-like stairway. To bring out the textures and lines I prefer this in black and white, especially since the colors aren't particularly grabbing. (Marc C. Perkins) — Old Point Loma Lighthouse: Nautilus Stairway

That was one cramped little landing with all of our gear set up, and we both had to wait quite a while for an opportunity to capture images of the stairs with nobody else in the tower. But it was worth it, and how could one possibly mind spending time inside a lighthouse? 🙂

I’ll leave you with a final overview image, showing the lighthouse and it’s rebuilt concrete water-catchment basin with native plant landscaping:

A wide-angle view of Old Point Loma Light as seen from the east on a crystal clear blue sky winter's day. The foreground bushes mostly block the concrete water catchment basin. The lighthouse itself is clearly visible, as is the assistant keeper's house (to the left). Note: Please contact me if you're interested in purchasing this image for use printed or displayed large, as I should give you some background on the image (the sky has been burned to reduce uneven polarization, and it should be test-printed before final images are made). (Marc C. Perkins) — A wide-angle view of Old Point Loma Lighthouse and the assistant keeper's house.

Oh, and if you want to see the scale of the stairway in the tower, here’s a self portrait of me in the stairway:

I'm standing on the second level of the stairway to the top of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse in Cabrillo National Monument, waving up at the camera. Greg (of Alpenglow Images Photography) is nicely pressing the trigger of my tripod-mounted camera. (Marc C. Perkins) — Some photographer got in my shot, darn it!

Stay tuned for more lighthouse pictures!

¹ This will hopefully be the inaugural post of a multi-post series highlighting lighthouses I’ve photographed in the past year. And don’t get me wrong – the pelicans at La Jolla Cove turned out to be awesome.

More pictures

To see more pictures from the lighthouse, head to my Old Point Loma Lighthouse Gallery or click on the thumbnails below.

Getting There

Cabrillo National Monument: Old Point Loma Lighthouse is in Cabrillo National Monument, which is at the end of Point Loma peninsula in San Diego, CA. The national monument’s webpage has an excellent directions page, including a great regional map. From interstate 5 you’ll need to take a few turns on city streets that aren’t necessarily well marked, so print out a good map or have your GPS handy. You’ll also be driving through an active naval base to arrive at the national monument, so park hours are strictly enforced. You’ll need to pay an entrance fee; parking was plentiful on site when we arrived on a winter weekday morning.

Waves crashing over the La Jolla Children’s Pool Beach sea wall

March 4, 2012Beach, California, Photography, San Diego CountyMarc Perkins

Greg and I walked to La Jolla Children’s Pool Beach (Casa Beach) back in January after we got our pelican pictures at La Jolla Cove. La Jolla Children’s pool is a small area of sandy beach that’s been walled in by a beautiful brick sea wall, apparently with the plan being that children could go swimming. Seals have had other plans for the beach, though, so there aren’t many children.

While I’m not entirely pleased with my seal pictures from the day, there was something else on view: waves crashing into the sea wall.

Water cascades over a brick sea wall at La Jolla Children's Pool, with its slightly rusty fence visible to the top. A wave has just hit the wall, and white foamy water is flying over the bricks as the water crashes to the sea in front of the wall. This contrasts with the perfectly calm blue water in the background. (Marc C. Perkins) — Crash of the wave; La Jolla Children's Pool, San Diego.

Big waves were somewhat infrequent, so I wasn’t able to get too many good captures, but I did get these two.

Water cascades over a brick sea wall at La Jolla Children's Pool on a gorgeous sunny winter day. A wave has just hit the wall, and white foamy drops are dripping and streaming off the bricks, as the water foams to the side and front of the wall. The water and sky, though, are perfectly calm, making a great contrast. (Marc C. Perkins) — Cascade of the wave; La Jolla Children's Pool, San Diego.

My only problem is this: I can’t decide which picture I like better. Each time I look at the pair I pick one that I like, but then I wait a few days, come back, and find myself preferring the other one.

So, I need you, my kind reader, to solve this dilemma for me. Which do you like better?

Getting There

La Jolla Children’s Pool Beach (Casa Beach): Found in La Jolla (San Diego), the beach is (to quote Wikipedia) “located at 850 Coast Boulevard, at the end of Jenner Street, in La Jolla, California.” Greg and I left our cars in the lot we used for our pelican pictures (directions can be found in this post) and walked; it was a very pleasant 10 minute or so walk. I have no idea how available parking is in La Jolla or what would be the best location to park, so I can’t help you much; sorry. The beach can be freely accessed by walking down a few concrete stairs, but much of the beach’s sand is roped off to allow seals to lay on the beach unperturbed.

Gulls at La Jolla

February 6, 2012Beach, California, Photography, San Diego CountyMarc Perkins

In addition to the pelicans Greg and I found in La Jolla last week (see post 1 and post 2), there were also a lot of western gulls (Larus occidentalis) on the cliffs. While the pelicans are a bit showier, I think the gulls are every bit as gorgeous:

This western gull (Larus occidentalis) is standing in front of a rock on a coastal cliff with the blue ocean visibile blurred in the background. Getting the proper exposure to bring out the detail in their white feathers was non-trivial! Note: a small piece of debris on the bird's feathers was digitally removed; I can provide an unedited version of the image if needed/desired. (Marc C. Perkins) — Western gull: standing by the sea.

With the gulls I also wanted to try something a bit more landscape-ish, putting them in context with the sloping oceanside cliffs leading to a sea of blue. I’m happiest with this attempt:

This western gull (Larus occidentalis) is sitting on a rock in front of a coastal cliff with the blue ocean and sky visibile blurred in the background. Getting the proper exposure to bring out the detail in their white feathers was non-trivial! (Marc C. Perkins) — Western gull: relaxing morning on the ocean cliffs.

After our morning with the birds we photographed seals and lighthouses, but those pictures will have to wait for another post.

More pictures

To see more pictures from the day, head to my Birds: Pelicans and gulls gallery

Getting There

La Jolla Cove Cliffs: This location doesn’t have an official name as far as I can tell, but it’s accessed from a small parking lot on the right side of Coast Blvd. in La Jolla (San Diego, CA), just after Coast Blvd. branches off from Prospect Place. The best I can do for you is give you GPS coordinates: N 32.84936 W 117.27038. Parking at the location is highly limited (and has a 2-hour max during the day), but it’s a short walk from other parking areas in La Jolla and the lot was virtually empty when I got there half an hour before sunrise on a weekday. The cliffs are accessed from a stairway that descends from the parking lot; be careful to stay well back from the edge, as the cliffs are steep and venturing too far forward will scare the birds away and prevent them from landing.

Pelicans at La Jolla, part 2: active birds

February 1, 2012Beach, California, Photography, San Diego CountyMarc Perkins

Last week I headed to La Jolla with Greg to photograph pelicans. In my previous post I shared my highlights from the day, but most of those shots were of calm, sedate birds. There was also a lot of action and anatomy on display:

This California brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) is photographed on a rock standing in front the ocean. The pelican is seen from the side standing on one leg. It's right leg (easily visible) has been pulled up and is arched up against its body, while the other stands on the rock. It's wings are open and back, and it looks like its doing yoga or some martial arts move (a'la Karate Kid). (Marc C. Perkins) — California brown pelican: yoga bird.

Who knew that pelicans did yoga?

And, if you remember my Cat anatomy: the third eyelid post, you’ll probably appreciate this picture:

This California brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) is photographed sitting on a peaked rock in front of the ocean. The third eyelid of the pelican (palpebra tertia or nictitating membrane) is in the middle of a blink, half-covering the eye. (Marc C. Perkins) — California brown pelican: The third eyelid.

In that image the third eyelid (palpebra tertia or nictitating membrane) of the pelican is in the middle of a blink, half-covering the eye (click on the image to see it somewhat larger). In birds the third eyelid is under more conscious control of the animal, and is often visible (and is reportedly used to protect the eyes of marine birds while diving, for instance).

And who could resist a bird just about to jump in the air and fly:

This California brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) is photographed standing on a rock in front of the ocean, just about to take off. The pelican's feet are splayed out on the rock, and it's hunched forward with its wings arched out, ready to leap into the air and start flying. (Marc C. Perkins) — California brown pelican: about to fly. A frame taken less than a second later shows the bird in the air.

One of the distinguishing features of pelicans is their large bill pouch (gular sac) that they use to capture and carry food in. While grooming themselves they will sometimes move their bills in such a way that they invert their gular sac (so the inside is visible), as in this image:

This California brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) is inverting its bill pouch (gular sac) on a rock in front of the ocean. (Marc C. Perkins) — California brown pelican: inverted bill pouch.

Oddly, in some of my images of inverted gular sacs (see, for instance, this image) there appears to be some type of gland or organ at the base of it. I have no idea what it is.

For a last photo of pelicans, who can resist a picture of a photographer taking a picture of a pelican?

A California brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) standing on a rock with a photographer blurred out of focus in the foreground, both of which are standing in front of a peaceful blue ocean. The photographer is Greg Russell of Alpenglow Images (http://www.alpenglowimagesphotography.com/). (Marc C. Perkins) — California brown pelican and a photographer (Greg Russell).

Oh, and I was also asked by e-mail whether my pelican images were heavily cropped. Most of these images are essentially full-frame captures, with just a bit of rotation or cosmetic trimming; they should easily be able to print up to 16×24″ or even possibly 20×30″. The location Greg took me to was just amazing; we could literally get just a few yards from the birds.

I’d appreciate any and all comments on these pictures.

More pictures

To see more pictures from the day, head to my Birds: Pelicans and gulls gallery

Getting There

La Jolla Cove Cliffs: This location doesn’t have an official name as far as I can tell, but it’s accessed from a small parking lot on the right side of Coast Blvd. in La Jolla (San Diego, CA), just after Coast Blvd. branches off from Prospect Place. The best I can do for you is give you GPS coordinates: N32.84936 W117.27038. Parking at the location is highly limited (and has a 2-hour max during the day), but it’s a short walk from other parking areas in La Jolla and the lot was virtually empty when I got there half an hour before sunrise on a weekday. The cliffs are accessed from a stairway that descends from the parking lot; be careful to stay well back from the edge, as the cliffs are steep and venturing too far forward will scare the birds away and prevent them from landing.

Pelicans at La Jolla, part 1: the highlights

January 30, 2012Beach, California, Photography, San Diego CountyMarc Perkins

Last week I headed to La Jolla with Greg to spend a day photographing birds, seals, and lighthouses. The day started with the two of us sitting on cliffs above the Pacific Ocean watching California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) wake up in the soft pre-sunrise light.

This long exposure image taken before dawn on a calm morning at La Jolla Cove shows hundreds of nesting pelicans sitting on the coastal cliffs above the ocean. Palm trees and the ocean define the horizon. (Marc C. Perkins) — Nesting pelicans on coastal cliffs before sunrise.

There are few better ways to start a day.

Soon after that picture was taken, the pelicans began to fly over to the cliffs Greg and I had set up on (illusion warning: we weren’t alone — a half dozen or so other photographers were also there, including the awesomely skilled and friendly Maxis Gamez). Greg and I stayed there for around three hours, and in that time dozens of pelicans flew up and landed only a few yards from us. They didn’t seem to mind our presence, and just sat their grooming themselves, resting, and doing other birdy things.

Here are my highlights from the day:

This California brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) is photographed sitting on a rock in front of the ocean. This closeup shows only a portion of the bird, focusing on the beak with its The beak, bill pouch (gular sac), and eye are all sharply in focus, and visible clearly above the folded-up body. (Marc C. Perkins) — California brown pelican: Closeup.

California brown pelican: Proud.

California brown pelican: Profile and water drop.

I don’t typically do bird photography, but if there are more places like the La Jolla cliffs I could see myself doing lots more.

I’d appreciate any and all comments on these pictures. This was functionally my first bird photography shoot, and I’d love to improve.

More pictures

To see more pictures from the day, head to my Birds: Pelicans and gulls gallery (and wait for my next few blog posts).

Getting There

La Jolla Cove Cliffs: This location doesn’t have an official name as far as I can tell, but it’s accessed from a small parking lot on the right side of Coast Blvd. in La Jolla (San Diego, CA), just after Coast Blvd. branches off from Prospect Place. The best I can do for you is give you GPS coordinates: N32.84936 W117.27038. Parking at the location is highly limited (and has a 2-hour max during the day), but it’s a short walk from other parking areas in La Jolla and the lot was virtually empty when I got there half an hour before sunrise on a weekday. The cliffs are accessed from a stairway that descends from the parking lot; be careful to stay well back from the edge, as the cliffs are steep and venturing too far forward will scare the birds away and prevent them from landing. The cliffs are within walking distance of beautiful seaside La Jolla, with much to see and do. I don’t know how often pelicans are there, but I’ve heard they’re only there during a short period in the winter.

Silly Sunday: The Legend of Sleepy La Jolla

January 29, 2012Beach, California, Photography, San Diego County, SillyMarc Perkins

A few days ago I was out at La Jolla with Greg taking pictures of California Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus), when I suddenly realized that I was on the set of a new movie. There were big cameras all around me, and in front of me was the star!

The movie was a remake of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow set in La Jolla, but instead of the headless horseman, it starred this fine creature:

This bird is starring in a remade of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", called "The Legend of Sleepy La Jolla". Instead of the headless horseman, the movie features a headless pelican. (Marc C. Perkins) — The Headless Pelican: star of The Legend of Sleepy La Jolla

I’ll post some more serious pelican pictures shortly, but thought I’d share this fun one first 🙂

Hope your weekend is going well!

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