Kelp Forest at Monterey Bay Aquarium

Kelp forest can be found up and down the California coast, and especially in the Monterey Bay. When visiting the aquarium you could see sea otters playing in the tops of the kelp forest off in the distance from the boardwalk in front of the aquarium. The main exhibit in the aquarium features a kelp forest, which is where I took this photo. The Moneterey Bay Aquarium pumps millions of gallons of water through its exhibits from the bay every day, providing natural nutrients for the exhibits resulting in a thrivingly healthy sea environment.

Coral and Starfish Monterey Bay Aquarium

Once again I am guessing at exactly what is the subject of this photograph. I think it's a coral reef, but perhaps it's not. (Will aquaken from the Monterey Bay aquarium staff enlighten us once again?) That is a red starfish in the bottom foreground - that much I know, but I bet it has a fancier name than that!

Fullmoon Over Rene and Henry Segerstrom Hall

Photo of Rene and Henry Segerstrom Hall

The Rene and Henry Segerstom Hall has only been open about a year now. It is a magnificent building and concert hall. Just like its exterior, the interior surfaces are characterized by being curved rather than flat. This is now the home of the Pacific Symphony and I recommend going there for one of their concerts to experience not only a great conert, but also this magnificant venue.

Canon EOS 20D
0.8secs at f/10
ISO800
18~55mm lens at 27mm

Full Moon Over South Coast Rep #2

Nighttime Photo of South Coast Repertory with Full Moon

This shot of the fullmoon over South Coast Repertory includes the pink floodlit marquee tower.

Canon EOS 20D
5secs at f/20
ISO800
18~55mm lens at 25mm

Imperial Bank Walkway in Color

Imperial Bank Walkway at Night in Color

Here's the same photo as the previous post but in its original color. What do you think: better in color or better in black and white? Post a comment.

Imperial Bank Walkway in Black and White

Black and White Photo of the Walkway In Front of the Imperial Bank

In front of the Arts and Theater District in Costa Mesa is the Imperial Bank Building. The walkway in front of the building is made of these stainless-steel columns that have a light at the bottom. At night it all looks very cool with a lighted grid cover overhead as well. The lights came out like twinkling stars.

Canon EOS 20D
4secs at f/20
ISO800
Lens 18~55mm at 54mm

Full Moon Over South Coast Repertory

Full Moon Over South Coast Repertory

I did mention when I created the first post for this series that it was the night of a full moon; a "blue moon", in fact. Well here it is finally, shining brightly from behind the Plaza Tower and above the South Coast Repertory. What a typically sparkly night it was! Actually, when I first moved to Southern California one of the things that struck me was that you'd see the complete lunar cycle replayed over and over again because of the consistently clear skies. In my native New Zealand it would be rare to have months on end of cloudless sky. In fact, come to think of it, it was rare to have a cloudless sky!

Hamlet at the South Coast Repertory

Photo of the South Coast Repertory at Night

There are three buildings that comprise the Theater and Arts District at South Coast in Costa Mesa. The South Coast Repertory has two stages dedicated to the staging of theatrical works. On the night I took this photo, a season of Hamlet was in full-swing.

Canon EOS 20D
0.5 secs at f/16
ISO800
18~55mm lens at 27mm

Plaza Tower by Night #2

Nighttime Photo Series

Here's the west side of the Plaza Tower where you can see its curved front. As you can see, it is quite a different looking building from this side. Contrast it with this photo of the back-side of the Plaza Tower.

As you can see, there's also this "groovy" artwork on the lawn in front of the tower that really caught the light nicely.

Plaza Tower 1

Nightime Photo Series

Last Friday night (June 30) there was a "blue moon". A blue moon is the second full moon that falls within the same month. So I packed up my camera and tripod and headed over to the area around the Orange County Performing Arts Center to take some shots.

I've often thought when I've been over there for shows that it would be a great location for a shoot on the night of a full moon. There are many spectacular buildings in the area, and lots of good architectural features to try and make something of for a good architectural photo.

So here we go. This is the first of the series, a photo of the spectacular Plaza Tower. I don't know what the exterior of this building is, but it's a shiny silver in the daylight. On the back (eastern) side of the building, it's a typical flat surface, but on the front side (west) it's curved. Coming south down the 405 S. freeway at sunset you get some spectacular sights of the sunset being reflected from the building's surface. This is one of my all-time favorite buildings.

This photo is taken from the north-eastern corner.
Canon EOS 20D
30 secs at f20
ISO 800
18-55mm lens at 18mm

The Whanganui River

Whanganui River from the Gentle Annie Hill

Wanganui, (the local spelling drops the "h"), is actually the town I grew up in in New Zealand. Situated at the mouth of the Wanganui River, the city is nicknamed "The River City". The river is rich in Maori and early-European history, and in the last decade or so the river was designated "The Whanganui River National Park". The river is the second longest in New Zealand after the Waikato River.

This photo was taken from the River Road from the top of the Gentle Annie Hill from which you get a commanding view of the river valley.

Matiatia Waiheke Island

Sunrise at Matiatia Wharf Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is a 30-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. Still clinging somewhat to its appealing "stuck-in-the-past" atmosphere, in recent years it has also developed a successful boutique wine and olive-growing industry. The mix leads to a very appealing combination of the quaint and sophisticated. Blessed with beautiful beaches and a temperate climate, Waiheke Island is a "must-do" on any trip to Auckland.