Point Lobos State Reserve

…or more commonly, simply, Point Lobos, lies just a few miles south of Pacific Grove on Highway 1.  The website for the park quotes artist Francis McComas, who found the area to be  ‘…the greatest meeting of land and water in the world…’  Hmm.  Well, it’s very pretty indeed.  Point Lobos was established as a part of of the  California State Park system in 1973.  The park derives it’s name from the rocks that lie offshore of Punta de los Lobos Marinos.  Los Lobos Marinos…that’s a curious phrase, sea wolves.

Northwest of Whalers Cove

The image above, shot looking north from the headlands overlooking Whalers Cove, was recorded at about 12:00 PST on March 30th, 2009, using the Nikon D700 and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens at 28mm.  Exposure was f/16 at 1/125s, ISO 200.

There are a number of excellent trails in the park.  Each trail blends views of the shore and the ocean with an encounter with the flora and fauna of the headlands.  My favorite areas are Cannery Point in the north-central section of the park, and many points around the Allan Memorial (cyprus) Grove, and Cyprus Cove on the western edge of the park.

Daredevil Otter

The image above, of a daredevil otter lounging in the surf between North Point and Cyprus Cove, was recorded at around 19:00 PST on March 31st, 2009, using the Nikon D700  and the AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED lens at 300mm.  Exposure was f/11 at 1/500s, ISO 800.  Handheld.  This otter had a remarkable ability to sense a big incoming wave and drive for the bottom just an instant before getting pummeled.

Seagull Silhouette

The image above, of a California Gull perched on the rocks at sunset, was recorded at about 19:00 PST, March 31st, 2009, using the Nikon D700 and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens at 70mm.  Exposure was f/16 at 1/1600s, ISO 200.  Handheld.  A patient subject.

Point Lobos at Sunset

The image above, shot north from Cyprus Cove, was recorded at about 19:00 PST, March 31st, 2009, using the Nikon D700 and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens at 24mm.  Exposure was f/11 at 1/30s, ISO 200.  Yes, I believe I might be in the market for a couple of acres in the area.  What?  No, you’re kidding!

Self Portrait 20090331

It’s just me here – no HP!  And, as you can see by the grim determination of the artist, that holding up the WhiBal card is no funny business…

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4 Responses to “Point Lobos State Reserve”

  1. Amy says:

    Lovely Pictures!!! Next time you should remember to smile 🙂

  2. Peter says:

    It’s true. I’m one of these folks that don’t much care to have my picture made, apparently…

    Cheers,

    P.

  3. Bob Towery says:

    They are all nice, but I particularly like the otter shot. I love how the crest of the wave and the otter are lit so well. You must have amazing skills to orient the sun, ocean and otter so neatly for your image! Great capture.

  4. Peter says:

    Hi Bob,

    Thank you for the comment. Yes, these Monterey otters are real
    performers. I just happened upon this guy playing in the rocky surf
    while waiting out the sunset. The only price was scrubbing salt off of
    the filters, cameras, and my specs – pretty good deal!

    Cheers,

    P.