2/16/08 Ano Nuevo Outing!

(Sumitted by: in the field reporter - Xavier Cohen)

6:00AM: alarm clock ring....no one woke up! It starts well. Quick shower, quick breakfast, and I am out. The sun is still sleepy and the cold temperature reminds me that we are still in winter. I jump on my bike ready to fight the cold and the 6 flat-miles to meet with other FM fellows. Since we love nature, we have decided to respect her: let's carpool! After one hour drive, the FM_NorCal south bay group (Larry H, Smada H, Alan M, Deepak L and I) arrived at the parking lot. @#$% we forgot our FM sign. Fortunately enough, the parking lot is almost empty...and other FM fellows (Margie R, Ed R and Allen H) are pretty easy to spot with their white Canon bazooka :-). Susan "our" docent is there as well already smiling...

8:45AM: The first group allowed in the park is us! We are rushing to the first spot in order to use the remaining clouds as the weather is forecasted to be gorgeous (which means "so so" for elephant seal photo op). After an overall view of our new "game area" from the top of the first dune, we stopped to see two young males sleeping calmly in the watershed. Suddenly one of them decided that sharing time was over: a fight starts just in front of us...No time to change lens, 400mm is too close...Even 200mm! Wahoo, the day promises to be more than just interesting! What a start! After finding our ways around their lying body (they are literally everywhere!), we ended up our first tour from the "Harem overlook". Not only Susan was consistently watching these guys around us, but she also pointed out good opportunities: mating, potential and real fights, strange behavior/tactics of losers trying to use any lack of vigilance from the alpha male. Without her comments, we would have lost half of what was going on in front of our eyes...I mean lenses. Too soon our allowed time was over. After a quick walk we were back on the parking lot to enjoy a quick lunch (our next tour was scheduled for

12:45).Great the happy FM Nor Cal group was complete again and we were able to run our second tour. Due to the heat behavior seems to have slowed down. While we were climbing the final butte to enjoy the "Harem overlook", we were treated to a fight and then a pursuit between an alpha bull and a loser! Both were heading in our direction! Susan did not have to ask us to get out of their way! Hopefully they stopped way before they reached us...good reminder. After a final session on top of the overlook, all of us were heading back happy from this shooting day. While we stopped on our way back to shoot some birds, pelicans decided to wait, since Ed had packed his gear, as they began to show up! At this moment, our outing turns into a pelican shot contest :-): they were going back and forth in front of us, perfectly side lighted. The day started well, it ended up as high as he began! Thanks Susan. Thanks Nelcha. You made our day!

1/13/08 - Ano Nuevo Group Trip

by FM_NorCal in the field Reporter, Suprada

Early morning on Saturday, Jan 13^th, seven stalwart
photographers had the courage to get out of their
warm beds and drive all the way to meet their
fearless leader on yet another photo trip.
The mission this time was to photograph
the elephant seals at Ano Nuevo.

Shiva, Ed N., Steve, Allen, Scott F., Carrie and I
met Susan our fellow FM_NorCaler,
photographer and docent, at the visitor
center and by 8:45AM we were on our way
to visit with the elephant seals.

We were the first group of the day, and so we motored
on to the walk. We decided to hear about the
Elephant Seals while walking as opposed to scheduled stops
which one makes on a “regular walk”.
We went straight to the “(named by the locals) "Loser’"s Beach”"
where we got some very nice environmental shots and close ups
of the males hanging out there. Those elephant seals
are just such amazing creatures!
Its amazing to see them flop around,
and then sudden movements. Susan very graciously would
point out opportunities for us to shoot, would alert us
when some other seal became active and kept an eye out
for our general safety. We spent quite a bit of time
with these loser seals and were treated to some half-hearted chases.

From there it was off to the “"Harem Overlook”" point.
On the way, we were treated to a very nice image of
an elephant seal with the path he made on the clean dunes.
Susan got a very nice shot of this! At “Harem Overlook” we saw
the general goings-on in an harem, alpha males trying to mate
with harassed females of his harem, some losers hanging out
in the fringes trying to mate with the females when the
alpha male wasn’'t looking, the chase when the alpha male
found out, females feeding their pups and general barking.
We were treated to a rare sight of one female
with pup trying to steal another female’s pup.
These girls went at each other, biting and barking.
Luckily, the mother was able to defend her pup
from the pup-thief and all was well.

After many clicks, our allotted time for the walk was over
and we had to make way for groups behind us.

It was a very satisfying morning. We headed back
to the visitor center, and Steve, Allen, Ed and I headed
to Pescadero for an amiable lunch at Duane’s Tavern,
thanks to Nelcha'’s reservations. In the late afternoon
Ed, Allen and I joined Susan for the after hours walk.
We went back to “Loser's Beach” and spent much time
taking photos there. As the sky darkened
and shadows lengthened, the atmosphere was special,
mystical. A thin mist made everything hazy.
The air smelled of salt and the elephant seals
around us started bellowing and barking.
It was a very special experience.

As the sun set, we walked back to our cars
and bid each other good-bye,
to meet on another photo excursion.
Thanks to everybody who came for their good company,
thanks to Susan for being the docent
and leading our walk and the after hours walk,
and thanks to Nelcha for setting this trip up!

FM_NorCal- Happy New Year! 2008

Happy New Year!! to all of Members !!
We have had numerous photo outings and
shared good times and made new friends.
A number of our members were also at
Treasure Island to make images such as this
for their 1st outing of the New Year ;-)
May we have fresh powdered snow,
slightly cloudy days, with no wind,
lots of Spring Flowers, High Flights,
Happy Weddings, Soaring dreams,
Fun Sports and wonderful Landscapes
to share together during this coming year......
Thanks for coming out to play together and
for posting and sharing your friendship
in our land of NorCal ;-)

11/17/07- 135th Pigeon Pt. Fresnel Lighting

About half-way between San Francisco and Santa Cruz
on the Sat. after Nov. 15th each year the Pigeon Point Lighthouse
celebrates the anniversary of the original lighting of the
Fresnel Lens and re-Lights the Fresnel for all to SEE
and enjoy for ONE evening.... Some years it is clear.....
This year is was pea soup FOG.... But then, isn't that
WHY the Lighthouses and Fog horns were built and used?
So the ancient mariners could see and hear thru the fog
where the land was so they wouldn't get ship-wrecked?
This year a number of our members braved the bone-chilling cold
and some were rewarded with excellent images.
Kudos to all of those that went....... Maybe next year
we will bring our own foghorn, so I'm sure it will be Clear ;-)
In the meantime, enjoy these our members, Ed and Stephen,
are sharing with us....as we all Give Thanks
for our many blessings this year and next.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Nov.3,2007- Elkhorn Slough Outings

It took a bit of planning but it was worth it
in the end and many of us are waiting for
our return when Capt. Yohn calls !
Not only was it just a beautiful marina with
boats old, new, fishing & research, but the slough
is a tranquil place (that day! ) and was filled with
much wildlife (birds and mammals alike)
It is located 1/2 way between Santa Cruz and Monterey.
We filled 2 FULL tour boats and lunched together in between.
It was a Wonderful Day filled with beautiful sites and
Great to meet the New Friends with whom we have been chatting!
We now have new phrases...like "Incoming!!"
and Ed's Jokes to remember.... ;-)
and new definitions for what a Red Nose means ;-)
So now we have even more shared memories and
I don't know about you, but I'm waiting for Capt. Yohn
to do the next schedule so we can set another date!
The entire day went by WAY too fast for me......
You all have seen the images of the critters & winged ones
so here's them that got them ;-)
Thanks for being such a Great group of folks!!
Suprada's Mamma Otter & baby image is now gracing
our Group homepage for awhile....
taken with a 300mm, so don't be scared
if you don't have a Beast like some do....!
It's what ya do with what ya got !
Good folks+Good images= Good times !
Who's ready to go back?

Oct.27th Outing for Fall Yosemite Color

Oct. 27th found 11 members of FM_NorCal heading to Yosemite
to gather the Fall Colors on their film or pixels. The day was a bit
smazey from the smoke from the L.A. fires, but the Fall colors
and dogwoods and Oaks were Gorgeous, as was the company!
Although other members had said the colors were past their peak,
we found plenty to make images of and even had a show
put on by some "rut-rack" play fighting buy some
mule deer bucks. Some of us were meeting face to face
for the 1st time, and others didn't connect until we shared
a rousing dinner at of course, The Mountain Room!!
At the dinner was Scott (Archon), Mike G., Shiva, Viswa,
Oliver & his lovely wife and myself. Randy, Jim S.,
Thien Anh and bro Anh D also made it to the park, but not for dinner.
Where we shared a Re-Union and the 2 virgins on the trip!
My new "Rumi"car (Guess I'll have to go back when
I get the Rumi Plate back ON;-))
and Mike Goertz who had never been there
before......so it was a Momentous Occasion!!
"Sake-it-to-me" ;-)

Bodie Photog Days Group 6/17/2007

(L-R) Lance, Suprada, Nancy, Jim Fox, & Mike.....
On June 16, 2007, 5 of our members made their way
up the hill in the dark to photograph Bodie Sunrise
and some took off during the heat of the day for lunch
and other photo ops, then met again late afternoon
when the longer shadows returned to stay until after sunset.
Some shared a memorable meal at the
"Whoa Nellie Deli" at the Hwy 120 Tioga Gasmart!
And all came home with beautiful different versions
of this Golden State Historic Park.
Some took off the next morning for the Tioga Pass area
to photograph the last of the melted Spring ponds
and wildflowers......I heard the mosquitos were very friendly !
Thanx to Nancy for making the group image ;-)

Foothill Spring Outing

I know you don't hear much from one of our member's,
Linda Sauer, but that is cuz she is always on the road making images.
I met her one night after sunset as we were walking back to
our cars at So. Tufa, Mono Lake, and then met her the next day
in Bodie. There we actually stoppped to talk and found out
that we were BOTH from Sacramento ;-) She is one of our
original members of OUR group.....
I managed to catch her while she was here in town last month
and we headed up to the foothills to an Iris Farm that was
in full bloom and they even let us in 2 hours before the public
so we could make images without the crowds. On the way there,
I discovered just before their driveway a field of LUPINE!
Some of our members KNOW what this means to me ;-)
We were at the Iris farm for about 6 hours...
Afterwards we spent another 3 hours at an Alpaca Ranch
where the animals were so tame they kept coming right up
to our lenses and wanted us to pet them. It was a wonderful
day spent with a good friend.
Here's a little something I found along the way.....
In gratitude, Nelcha

PABaylands outing 4/14/2007

Well, we had ONE member that thankfully made some
group images, but there are so many of you I can't name
the people for the birds...BUT, it looks like everyone
was enjoying the nice weather including the birds and
photogs busy making their images. These images are nice
because they show those of us that don't live 10 minutes away,
what the place looks like and what to look for, so THANK YOU!
This image below shows the area where photogs stand and
the members a little better, but you are still going to have
to tell us who is whom? At least it sounds from the posts
that are coming in that long lens envy was going on
and some bird intimacy was being spyied on ;-)
Congrats to ALL that had the great time
and made some nice images!

Bodie/Mono Lake Kamikaze trip 3/31/07

On March 31st, an unusual Mountain gift
(aka low snowpak) found the Road to Bodie S.H.P.
OPEN early!! So another kamikaze trip was planned
and found 5 participants heading for the
Eastern Sierra early in the year!

It was 25F at the So. Tufa Preserve
of Mono Lake in the wee hours of the AM
while trying to make sunrise images. Then we were
off to the Sand Tufas, and then grab breakfast
to go in Lee Vining and headed to Bodie for the
rest of the morning. After lunch we made a trip
down to Mammoth Mountain and then around
the June Lake Loop.

We then made a 3rd stop for images at the
3rd parking lot for the So. Tufas, back at
Mono Lake, before heading off for our
sunset location of one of the turnouts just
North of Lee Vining and Mother Nature put on
a wonderful Fuschia pink sunset for us!

The we all shared a nice dinner together
at Nicely's in Lee Vining B4 heading home.

Thank You Scott for being my wingman and
making the video.
If you missed it..it his here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MqqruWCgjg
We ALL did live to bring our images
 gladly home....Nelcha

2/07 Yosemite Snow Kamikaze Run!

It was the 2nd Snow kamikaze of the season for
Nelcha and Xavier, but this was the 1st one of
the New Year and Alan's 1st trip with us. It was a
beautiful trip and we were READY for the Firefall,
but it waited until after we left the next day ;-(
We did have a Wonderful dinner at The Mountain
Room with Randy Walton, his wife and Jim Fox,
another FMer from the LA area that arranged
to meet with us. This was Xavier's 4th trip to
Yosemite in his short stay here!

Rain Warriors at Ano Nuevo!!

On February 10, 2007, ten members of FM_NorCal
BRAVED "the elements" in the name of nature and photography
to capture the illusive and fast moving Elephant seal.
Not only were the dedicated photogs fighting the elements
BUT, those that perservered on into the afternoon
were privy to a HUGE Bull fighting for his dominance
as Beach Master! The series posted by members
was indeed a feat to behold. KUDOS to ALL!!!

It's NOT just Elephant Seals !!!!

Another group image has been discovered and it even
shows the illusive Dennis. This is an example that the
this outing is about MORE than Elephant Seals!!
It's about the entire group getting out to photograph
having a good time and getting to know each other.
As we wait for the 2nd Ano Nuevo group to share
their images, keep in mind that we are coming into a
busy photographic time of year. The Snow Geese
are up by Gray Lodge and snow is finally landing
on the Sierras and with any luck we will be making trips
to Yosemite for the awaited snow on the Valley Floor
or over to the Eastern Sierra if the snow allows.
It is also almost time for the Palo Alto Baylands birds
to start showing their breeding plummage. It is a time for
the wedding photogs to be booking their schedules,
and a good time for whale watching trips. The model/studio
photogs are busy and creating better work than ever.
Please be sure to let us know what is happening
near you so we can enjoy it also. Also, a reminder to
vote in the 1/29 Poll on the Group website. Trying to get
like photogs to know who they share interests with.
While we are waiting to see some of the images hiding
out there from the 1st Ano Nuevo participants,
here is a sample of a souvenir from a new member from
the 1st outing of the winged variety. Who can tell us
the exact name of this variety of Pelican?

Addendum Group Photo 1/20

1st Ano Nuevo Group Outing-Jan.20th

The 1st Ano Nuevo Group Outing was Jan.20th. and it sounds like a great times was had by all! I will leave it to the attendees to post the images of the Elephant Seals, Pelicans, or whatever...but thanks to Dennis Luz we have some "in action" images that he said we could post.
I can't wait for the rest of the participants to process their images and let us see what they got.
I have NEVER been there so I am leaning from you. Would like to hear back from a few more members that went but haven't reported in yet. If anyone has any suggestions to make Group Outings better in the future, please let me know.
Our NEXT FM_NorCal Ano Nuevo Group Outing is 2/10
Next time we'll have MORE group pix.
Enjoy & in gratitude,
Nelcha

Image Posting.....

Please resrict your image posting to no more than
2 images per post and keep them small
or moderate in size.
If you Save for Web and keep them
no larger than 100K and then use Medium
as your upload size, that would be appreciated.
PLEASE be sure to say somethig about yourself
so others get to know you.
This not meant to be each person's daily blog,
but rather a blog for the group.
So please, each member, only blog occasionally
and give others a chance
and get to know one another and have FUN most of all.
Thank you

FM_NorCal "NOW" has a VOICE !!!

Howdy all,
We now have our own website/blog where we can share images and anecdotes and experiences we have shared in the filed. Maybe we can use it for posting ideas of places that we have seen neat things that others may want to make images. You can all blog here and help turn this into another forum for all of us. The only limitations here are your creative abilities to turn this into the best site for NorCal photogs to want to see!
OK, time to start the fun......if you want to join in....email me and I will add your name to the list of folks that are permitted to blog here.........I'm waiting to hear from you.......
We have alot of talented members that I KNOW can help us turn this into a top notch site!!

WELCOME and Let's Get Started !!!!!

In gratitude,
Nelcha