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photo by Donald Kinney
Sometimes I am truly amazed...
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photo by Donald Kinney
...I have been known to fall to the earth, flail my arms and legs, and remark; "what a spectacular place".
March 31, 2014
soaking it all in -- at Point Bonita
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photo by Donald Kinney
Sometimes I am truly amazed...
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photo by Donald Kinney
...I have been known to fall to the earth, flail my arms and legs, and remark; "what a spectacular place".
March 30, 2014
inside and outside San Francisco Bay
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photo by Donald Kinney
Friday morning, inside San Francisco Bay...
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photo by Donald Kinney
...and at the entrance to San Francisco Bay, from Point Bonita.
March 29, 2014
Nicasio, west Marin
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photo by Donald Kinney
A giant Elephant Mountain [a.k.a. Black], obscured by an even larger cloud.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Tree rooted ever so poetically, on a hillside, back towards San Geronimo.
March 28, 2014
electromotive forces in Marin County
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photo by Donald Kinney
There it is, just about enough force & power for all our Marin County gizmos.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Here in Marin we have our own Marin Energy Authority, who have a mission of bringing renewable power sources to Marin residents who opt into their [rather expensive] system.
M.E.A. also operates a municipal solar farm just north of San Rafael--with an output that is probably a drop in the bucket when compared to Marin's total energy needs, but this is a pilot project--the first of many more installations that will be needed in order to wean ourselves away from electricity sourced from coal, natural gas and oil. [Which as we all know isn't going to happen until we either exhaust our natural resources, or their price rises so high it then becomes economically favorable to switch over to renewable sources.]
March 27, 2014
atmospherics -- the grand view
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photo by Donald Kinney
Point Bonita, at the entrance to San Francisco Bay.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Rodeo Beach, just around the corner to the north.
March 26, 2014
wildflowers seem a bit confused this year
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photo by Donald Kinney
Yeah, I've stopped and chatted with a few wildflowers recently, and they've reassured me that they are just getting a late start...
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photo by Donald Kinney
...and now this morning it is raining at a fairly good clip, so that should help out a lot.
March 25, 2014
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
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photo by Donald Kinney
Click for the tune on YouTube; 3min 4sec with no advertisement
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
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photo by Donald Kinney
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
It's all right, it's all right
March 24, 2014
more creaures we might find at Point Reyes
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photo by Donald Kinney
Of course, obvious question is; "how close to that Elephant Seal w-a-s I ?", followed by a chorus of; "well, that was w-a-y too close"...
In any case, I was only 20 or 30 feet away with a long lens, but I swear I wasn't out looking for Elephant Seals that day--my intention was to explore the old Coast Guard buildings in the area of Chimney Rock and I just happened to stumble on this adorable creature with the soulful eyes who was t-r-y-i-n-g to enjoy a peaceful afternoon.
Okay, y-e-s, there were some stern signs warning me to stay out of the area, and I know that the Federal Government comes down pretty hard on those who don't follow her rules--hey I have no excuses for my behavior. After all, as the signs pointed out--close contact with humans puts a lot of stress on Elephant Seals which can interrupt their desire to mate for the replenishment of their species.
This seal didn't seem too concerned about my presence, though. But I do realize that, signs or not--I really shouldn't have been where I was. It is only by pure luck, I suppose, that I am telling y-o-u all of this, instead of a federal court judge.
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photo by Donald Kinney
The first photo was made in January of 2013, and this photo (above) was made in May of 2010, and the only rule I was breaking here is that I was probably m-u-c-h too close to the edge of the unstable cliff. Oh, I usually try to be careful, but there is not much I can do about my s-t-u-p-i-d-i-t-y...
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photo by Donald Kinney
Well yes, what an odd looking animal. Sort of like a cross between a horse and a deer, I think. Taken December 2012.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Taken December 2010. Tule Elk were well on their way towards extinction until 1978 when the federal government established a fenced refuge for them to Tomales Point at the northern tip of the Point Reyes peninsula in a last ditch effort to repopulate the species. Until the mid-1800s vast herds of these noble creatures roamed California valleys and grasslands. You only have to use your imagination as to what (hunting) and who (man) brought these beautiful animals to the brink of extinction.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Taken December 2010. Like the Elephant Seals, it is best to keep distance from Tule Elk. Reportedly they can be quite unpredictable. That is historic Pierce Point Dairy in the background. I have done numerous posts on the old dairy over the years.
March 23, 2014
Point Reyes and creatures we might find
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photo by Donald Kinney
Welcome to the Point Reyes peninsula, or as it has been officially known since 1962; Point Reyes National Seashore. Here we will find a variety of life--some domesticated, some incarcerated, and some wild.
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photo by Donald Kinney
No bull... I was more than a bit concerned that this fellow might come crashing through the thin barbed wire fence that separated us.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Point Reyes has a long history of dairy farming which continues today.
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photo by Donald Kinney
With the exception of the first photo (landscape) these images are not new, but are snaps that I have accumulated over the past 7 or 8 years. I always let you know when my photos are not brand new.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Tule Elk are not native to the area, but were brought here in order to bring them back from the brink of extinction. I'll tell you more about them tomorrow.
March 22, 2014
shooting the sunset -- on my beloved Mt. Tam
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photo by Donald Kinney
Normally I prefer capturing the sunrise, but on Wednesday I thought I would try my luck with the sunset from Ridgecrest Boulevard on the northern shoulder of my beloved Mount Tamalpais.
March 21, 2014
poppies are popping
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photo by Donald Kinney
Well, thank your GOD that my grandparents had a bit of adventure and wanderlust in them--otherwise I might be writing this from some gawd-awful and frigid spot in North Dakota.
Anyway, 'round these parts, the poppies are popping. First flags of Spring.
March 20, 2014
all in the way we look at it
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photo by Donald Kinney
Spelling "dog" backwards we get "god".
But in spelling "art" backwards all we get is "tra".
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photo by Donald Kinney
Well, I was young and it could have been the very first piece of "modern art" I had ever seen. This was the modern art exhibit at the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle. Hanging there was a huge canvas painted entirely with black. Oh, there were tones of black that varied just slightly--in a grid pattern as I remember. And I also remember remarking that; "hey, I could have done that"... Problem is, that I hadn't.
March 19, 2014
early at Covallo Point
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photo by Donald Kinney
As a lad I spent a lot of my time in darkroom darkness--time that I probably should have been spent doing my school homework.
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photo by Donald Kinney
And as an old fart, I still seem to enjoy darkness--but instead of sloshing film through solutions, these days I just stand silent and wait for the curtain to rise.
March 18, 2014
San Rafael to Richmond -- the Whoop-Whoop Bridge
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photo by Donald Kinney
No, I wasn't around when the Pyramids were built, but as a lad of 10 or so I definitely remember seeing the San Rafael to Richmond Bridge being built, as our family in our 1947 Pontiac paddled along side the bridge on a soon-to-be obsolete ferry boat during bridge construction.
The San Rafael to Richmond Bridge is more utilitarian than architectural, and the question of why it was apparently built from roller-coaster blueprints begs to be asked. "Simply a cost cutting measure" is the common answer--the roadway supports away from the tall cantilevered section could be substantially lowered, saving money on steel in the process.
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photo by Donald Kinney (taken in August, 2009)
Oh, ferries are great--if we don't mind being herded like slaughterhouse cattle, or don't object to paying for an overpriced boarding pass. And I suppose there could still be a romance associated with ferries--enough of an inspiration to bring them back in the 1980's after 30 years. Today, operated and heavily subsidized by the Golden Gate Transit Authority, the modern fleet of ferries only carry passengers and bicycles.
March 17, 2014
getting a handle on Lagunitas Creek
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photo by Donald Kinney
"La-goo-ni'-tas" translates from Spanish as "little lagoons", and I've been photographing her ripples and reflections for over a decade.
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photo by Donald Kinney
The Lagunitas is at her mightiest right now--a raging torrent, but before long she will return to her normal bucolic self. A bit less fast-moving water will reveal more of her seductive curves and boundless whimsy.
March 16, 2014
the road to Point Reyes
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photo by Donald Kinney
That is Elephant Mountain (a.k.a. Black Mountain) as seen from the western shore of Tomales Bay. During the work-week you normally won't find a soul, but on weekends a steady stream of autos ply the road to Point Reyes.
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photo by Donald Kinney
The date of 1579 is well established, but the place English explorer Sir Francis Drake landed along our west coast, claiming it for England, has been debated.
There is no dispute that Drake sailed north along the Pacific Coast after raiding Spanish settlements in Panama. His ship, the Golden Hind, was leaking badly, and he needed to find a harbor on this unexplored coast.
On June 17, 1579, he sailed around the hook of an unnamed point of land, and found what he thought was good harbor, protected from the westerly winds and the mist Drake called "fogges." This reminded him of England.
Drake's crew made contact with local people - possibly the Miwok people who lived in the region - repaired the ship, nailed a plate of brass to a tree claiming the land for Queen Elizabeth and sailed home, around the world.
However, the description Drake and his officers left behind for future historians was somewhat vague. For years, scholars said they were sure Drake landed near Point Reyes. But over the years, other scholars and amateur historians claimed Drake landed on their coast. "As far north as Alaska"; some say, while others say the fair harbor that reminded him of England was San Diego. Nevertheless, Drake's Bay at Point Reyes, about 20 miles north of San Francisco, is officially recognized as Drake's landing spot by the National Register of Historic Places.
March 15, 2014
seals and sea-lions -- doggies of the bay
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photo by Donald Kinney
Okay, it's a [Bennie Buffano] statue, and has been photographed a million times... Curiously, I seemed to be the only photog on duty in Sausaltio early Thursday morning.
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photo by Donald Kinney
From my archives (above), taken October 2009 at a genuine snapshot hot-spot -- San Francisco's Pier39.
March 14, 2014
windpower at Montezuma Hills
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photo by Donald Kinney
Yes... Electricity to power all those warm electronic gismos I love so much.
I am truly indebted to you, Mr. P.G.&E...
Well, here's the story;
It is simple math--and the big investment corporations like New York Life Insurance are sinking huge sums into 4 million dollar wind turbines. French company EDF Engergies Nouvelles also has a big piece of the pie.
Iberdrola Renewables holds claim to "largest Montezuma Hills player".
Clean and renewable energy generation is big business but also helping to save the planet, at least a few megawatts at a time. Currently, no coal fired generating plants are being built in the U.S., so either the price is going to go way up or we're going to have to plug into sources like wind and solar.
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photo by Donald Kinney
I don't have a total count of all windmills, but I'd estimate 500 or more. There has been an explosion of windmills since I first started coming to these peaceful rolling hills over 40 years ago. At first there were only twenty or thirty, of a much smaller type. They are still generating electricity today, feeding into the grid. All these companies have contracts to sell their generated power to P.G.&E. But of course, initial investment is enormous.
The land for the turbines is leased from two dozen (+/-) local landowners, who continue to use it for sheep grazing and growing wheat. Wheat is the major crop here. Cows are allowed to roam in the stubble after the fields are cut. Ranchers and farmers receive sizable checks for the use of their land. Up close, the wind turbines do produce a bit of noise, but the cattle and sheep don't seem to mind. Bird-strikes is a common windmill problem.
March 13, 2014
by thin threads
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photo by Donald Kinney
Rather convenient--that electricity doesn't arrive by dump-truck.
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photo by Donald Kinney
The G.G.--a bridge to my Marin County, suspended by thin threads.
March 12, 2014
di Suvero's bad beams, great sky -- at Crissy Field
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photo by Donald Kinney
Now starring at Crissy Field: "Huru", an Australian aboriginal word meaning both "hello" and "goodbye".
But don't worry--this and 10 other monstrosities will be gone at end of May.
I'm sorry, but I just don't GET di Suvero's mish-mashes. To me they are colossal duds, gun-like, perhaps a high-school metal-shop project gone horribly wrong. But yes, I went around to each and every one of them and tried my best to render them in their best light.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Which made me realize--I should have been shooting the light all along.
March 11, 2014
the grand view -- Point Bonita
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photo by Donald Kinney
The topic might sound a bit familiar, or to some; "like a broken record".
I did another g-r-a-n-d post recently -- scroll down to March 5.
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photo by Donald Kinney
And yes, we had some weather roll through. We still need several big storms to get our water storage back to normal.
March 10, 2014
Look -- -0-^-0- -- Clouds in the sky
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photo by Donald Kinney
Okay, I'll just go on record right now that a sky full of clouds is better than sex; but then again, what do I know?
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photo by Donald Kinney
But bring them on. I have an insatiable appetite--and that I DO know.
March 09, 2014
China Camp -- thick with the past
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photo by Donald Kinney
Frank Quan's pier at China Camp Village. Current population; 1.
This is on San Pablo Bay, the northern "thumb" of San Francisco Bay.
In the late 1800's China Camp was home to hundreds of Cantonese immigrants who brought with them expert netting skills for harvesting Bay Shrimp. Discrimination was rampant. Netting shrimp was one few industries Chinese were legally allowed, however, regulations of the day required the Chinese to sell their catch in San Francisco through a white middleman.
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photo by Donald Kinney
With his shrimping boat resting on mud, Frank Quan walks with coil of rope.
Over the years, fresh water flowing into San Pablo Bay has been increasingly diverted for agriculture. The resulting higher levels of salinity have been detrimental to the Bay Shrimp habitat. The shrimp are mostly gone.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Salty old Frank Quan; his dapper self, a bit closer, taken in July 2011.
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