at Chimney Rock, Point Reyes

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Well, despite all the distractions and photo-ops in Inverness, I finally made it to my destination -- the Chimney Rock plateau of Point Reyes National Seashore. That's Drake's Bay in the background, and of course those deer call this area home.

No photos of Tule Elk to show from this outing, but they're out there -- I'll try to track them down for you some day -- stay tuned.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

These two Sea Lions were having a bit of a squabble. I didn't spot any on this trip but Elephant Seals are common at Point Reyes. Also, of course, Harbor Seals.

What this area doesn't need is off-shore drilling! I think the Sea Lions would agree, at least on that.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Chimney Rock is most noted for it's spectacular shows of wildflowers each year -- this is the time when they should be at their best -- but something has happened this year and the display is no where as dramatic as it usually is. What a disappointment.

This makes my third trip out to Chimney Rock recently -- the other times the wind was just too stiff for flower photography -- but there I was, on a relatively windless morning, among wildflowers that seem to be taking a year off. So strange, because the wildflowers in other parts of the county have been exceptional this year -- I guess Chimney Rock has it's own little climate zone way out there on the western tip of Point Reyes.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

But I found a few splendid samples of what is usually a vast expanse of color. This Indian Paintbrush was doing proud duty.


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