Day at Point Pinos Lighthouse

[kurtwall]

The lighthouse shots didn't inspire, so I settled for these residents of the beach in and around Point Pinos.

Excuse me, but squirrels playing on the rocks at the beach totally confused this Southern boy. Squirrels at the beach? WTF?

Tiring of gratuitous squirrel cuteness, I found this Heermann's Gull. The Heermann's seem much more attractive than the standard western and California gulls.

On one of the golf courses along 17 Mile Drive, I saw this handsome fellow, a Red-shouldered Hawk. I was shooting handheld at the far end of my 300mm lens, but I still got the catchlight, which shows up better in the larger version).

Finally, this serious-looking fellow is a male Brewer's Blackbird:

Man, I love the beach.

[Hayward Taylor]

Hello there - wow - that is quite an excursion .. did you at least dip your toes in the water? .. handheld at 300mm? ... very steady hands, my friend .. excellent assortment of wildlife .. and beautifully photographed

[Ella1267]

Maybe the squirrel was hot also and wanted a cool down. Awesome set of pics....I love the eye in the second pic.

[fstopMike]

Very interesting shots. I like how the speckles on the fur of the squirrel match those of the rocks. The gull is well photographed and its colorful beak is beautiful. The hawk looks like a sentinel guarding private property. Well done and an enjoyable set.

[vandizle]

i like your photos....but the third one i like most....the hawk on the golf course...it is catchy for it tells a story...as if the hawk guards the area...that any offenders will face a grave threat……nice one!!!!

[leonaashlee]

Nice work on these shots. I like them.

[Stilelibero]

ah lovely the photo of the squirrel!!!!!!! she has a look of surprise on her face, that makes her looks funny. And this Squirrel Rocks, she loves the Beach!

I love the second shot too, it came pretty sharp
well done

[corry]

LOVE the squirrel one........he is just so perfectly posed for ya!

[mikez53]

Nice set of shots! Hand held shot of the hawk at the far end of your 300mm, that is amazing..

[kurtwall]

Originally Posted by Hayward Taylor

did you at least dip your toes in the water?[...] excellent assortment of wildlife .. and beautifully photographed

Thanks, Hayward. Nope. no dipping of toes into the water. We don't live far, though, so we can go back when the water is warmer.

Originally Posted by Ella1267

Maybe the squirrel was hot also and wanted a cool down. Awesome set of pics....I love the eye in the second pic.

Thank you, Ella.

Originally Posted by fstopMike

I like how the speckles on the fur of the squirrel match those of the rocks. The gull is well photographed and its colorful beak is beautiful.

fstopMike, I noticed the complementary colors during post-processing. This has become one of my favorite shots (so far). I like the gull, too -- the eye is tack sharp for a change.

Originally Posted by vandizle

i like your photos....but the third one i like most

Thank you, vandizle. I wanted to get closer to the hawk, but I didn't want to trespass on the golf course.

Originally Posted by leonaashlee

Nice work on these shots. I like them.

Thanks, leonaashlee.

Originally Posted by Stilelibero

ah lovely the photo of the squirrel!!!!!!! she has a look of surprise on her face, that makes her looks funny. And this Squirrel Rocks, she loves the Beach!

Thanks, Stilelibero. Indeed, what's not to like about the beach? I just wasn't expecting to see a squirrel there.

Originally Posted by corry

LOVE the squirrel one........he is just so perfectly posed for ya!

corry, quite so. Very cooperative indeed. Much better than the animal backsides which I usually get.

Originally Posted by mikez53

Nice set of shots! Hand held shot of the hawk at the far end of your 300mm, that is amazing..

mikez53, thank you. It is a little soft. I probably wouldn't be able to hand-hold again at that length.