Bowling Ball Beach, Schooner Gulch, CA
Bowling Ball Beach is located in Schooner Gulch. Schooner Gulch rests along the beautiful Mendocino Coast about three miles south of Point Arena in Northern California. I accessed the beach by parking off Highway 1 and following a trail that led through a grassy meadow down to the beach. Erosion has occured over the years and the lower part of the trail has washed away. Climbing down a makeshift ladder and hopping over a large driftwood pile completed the hike. The “bowling balls” appear at low tide and number in the dozens. Some of the bowling ball shaped rocks have small circular impressions, giving the appearance of finger holes in a bowling ball. There are great views from the bluffs above the beach, unfortunately much of the land is private property. Learn more about Schooner Gulch...
Subway Cave, CA
The Subway Cave is located in the Lassen National Forest. It is actually a Lava Tube that formed tens of thousands of years ago when lava flowed through Hat Creek Valley from fissures that developed in the valley floor. The tube extends for about a third of a mile. This view is from approximately 150 feet in. I attempted to walk the entire length of the tube with my small flashlight, but about halfway in it got too dark to continue. The floor is very bumpy, the walls dark and there are small alcoves that could get you turned around without proper illumination. One misstep, and it could be quite sometime before someone finds you. Especially in the offseason. It’s a great place to go if you just need some “alone time”. I’ll revist it again with a latern next time.
Burney Falls, CA
Burney Falls is a spectacular waterfall located in the Shasta National Forest. The waterfall is inside a state park, so a fee is paid upon entering the park. Burney Falls can be seen from small viewing areas that exist just off the main parking lots, but to fully appreciate the falls, you must take a trail that leads you to the base of the waterfall. As you approach the falls, the mist will give you quite a drenching. I draped a jacket over my camera and tripod until I was ready to shoot. In between exposures, I would cover the camera to prevent the mist from soaking my lens. After photographing the waterfall, I took a trail that followed the creek and ended up at Lake Britton, think “On Golden Pond”. A beautiful area and definitely a place I will revisit. Learn more about Burney Falls...
Susanville Sawmill, CA
Susanville is located off Hwy 36 approximately 2 plus hours north of Reno. It’s a small town with some real old west charm to it. Murals painted on building walls remind people when this used to be a logging town. There are quite a few towns like this smattered up and down Northern California. Apparently, we don’t really cut down trees anymore in California. We just get other states and countries to do it for us. Enough of that. Well, the sawmill is shutdown with just the decaying structures remaining. The water tower still stands proud in the horizon, a symbol of a once forgotten industry. The guy at the coffee shop tells me with a sigh, “This is a prison town now”, referrring to the High Desert State Prison that now employs many of the town’s folk. I say, “Well, it’s probably the prettiest prison town in America”.
Fowler Falls, CA
Fowler Falls is located off of Higway 89 a few miles east of McCloud. After photographing Burney Falls in the afternoon, I was anxious to get to the city of Mt. Shasta for a nice sit down meal. I saw the sign for Fowler Campground but decided not to stop. That evening a waiter at a local restaurant said I should have stopped. He mentioned people always miss it on their way through. The next morning, I drove back to photograph the falls. Fowler Falls consists of three falls. An upper, middle and lower falls. The middle falls drop from a higher height and the upper falls seems to shoot out from the side of the mountain. If you decide to go, be prepared for a bit of hiking unless you are content with the view from above. This view is of the Lower Fowler Falls.
Feather Lake Highway, CA
Feather Lake Highway 44 to Highway 89 has to be one of the prettiest drives in California. The contrast between the earthy brown soil and the pine trees off in the distance are just amazing. There are dense tree clusters that open up into grassy meadows. Small ponds and lakes appear along the drive with the occasional ranch or farm. It was difficult not to stop every few minutes to photograph something. This tree caught my eye from the distance. It’s about 1000 feet from the Highway. It was so curious to me standing there among all it’s green branched brothers. I set up in the rain and photographed it for a few minutes. You can just hear the highway off in the distance behind me. I wondered what it would be like to walk into the forest just past the horizon. Talk about isolation.
Hakodate Rice Fields, Japan
Okay, I have to admit, I’m not completely sure what is going on here. These are rice fields in Hakodate, Japan. I believe they are drying the stalks before harvesting the rice. They look a little like Native American teepees. Something as simple as stacking rice stalks can be very beautiful. Many places I went in rural Japan have small farms. I walked onto one farm while driving through the area. I liked the simplicity of how everything was organized. They take advantage of all the space. Even in the city where land is scarce, neighbors may share common land to plant vegetable crops and fruit. You manage your own small section of land and harvest your crop when it is ready. I may photograph more farming images in the future. It’s something that really interests me.
Osanbashi Pier, Japan
Osanbashi Pier in Yokohama, Japan is quite an architectural marvel. It was designed by the Foreign Office Architects, FOA. This view is looking down toward the terminal lobby below. The walkway has this cool blue lighting that extends the entire length. The pier itself is more like a building. I don’t believe there are stairs anywhere on it. You can walk along the outside of the pier on different levels. The views of Yokohama Harbor are fantastic. It’s a great tourist and couples destination. The day I went, there were many photographers setting up to photograph the lights of Yokohama Bay. I think I was the only one photogaphing the pier itself. If you ever make your way to Yokohama, check out Osanbashi Pier. It’s well worth it. See more images of Osanbashi Pier.
Ginza District, Japan
Someday they will create a day that no cars, buses, or motorcycles of any kind will be allowed to use the streets. We can all walk, ride our bikes, and skateboard down the middle of the street or freeway. How great would that be? Well, in the Ginza District Japan, you can do that for a few hours a day before they reopen the street to traffic. This day the sky was a pinkish, purpley color. Almost as if a volcano had just exploded in the background. People strolled along the boulevard carrying their wares or just sightseeing. A woman sat in a wheelchair shouting some anti-government rhetoric as people walked past her. I visited Japan for the first time when I was 17. Ginza has always been a favorite place to go. I love being able to stand in the middle of the street and have nobody bother you!
Bald Hills Road, CA
For anyone who looked at a map and said, “Let’s try this road, I think it goes through.”, this ones for you. Bald Hills road borders the Redwoods National Park. It connects the interior of California with the coast. To be fair, I scoped it out on google maps beforehand. It’s a windy road that turns to dirt before you head into the park. I was worried that if I broke down, it might be sometime before someone found me. Truth be told, someone usually comes along every few minutes so you are never really alone. The dirt portion of the road is well kept as it meanders through beautiful grass covered hills. There are a few wooden structures, and livestock can be seen grazing in the distance. The landscape quickly changes to beautiful redwoods as you descend towards the ocean.
