Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Total Solar Eclipse, August 21, 2017

Jill and I drove up to Metrolius, Oregon a few weeks ago for the Total Solar Eclipse.  We met with many new and old friends on "Harvey's Farm" and camped out for several nights.  It was a glorious event and very moving for all of us.  Heck, we're even talking about South American in 2024!!

We began our journey by spending the night in Lava Beds National Park near the Oregon border.  We need to get back there again; incredible caves.  Unfortunately, there were lots of fires in NorCal and Oregon but they sure do make for spectacular sunsets.  Finally, Jill flew home, and I met Chris and Bruce on the coast for a few days of fun before the long drive home.


We were the first ones to arrive at Harvey's Farm on Friday, but the next day several friends joined us and by Sunday there were about 60 "umbraphiles" on the ranch ready for the big show.

Here is one of Jill and me in our eclipse uniforms.  I did purchase a special filter for my lens so as not to fry my sensor, much less my eyes.  Anyone need a filter?  I also have about 25 pairs of eclipse glasses that I will send to an outfit that gets them to children all over the world. Seems worthy.


TOTALITY!




Diamond Ring Effect



 Neskowin, Oregon



Beautiful Oregon Coast

Thursday, February 23, 2017

San Simeon Elephant Seal Rookery, February 2017

Jill and I visited the crowded Elephant Seal rookery last week.  It's birthing season and there was lots of activity on the overcrowded beach.   The seals only spend a few weeks on the beach twice a year.  They really are incredible creatures and we're very lucky here in California to be able to see them.   Here's a link to a very interesting Wikipedia article:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_seal