#island lake northern sierra nevada

[stumblngrumbl]

#island lake northern sierra nevada #pixel 6 pro

[franklupelchiaro]

The Best Winter Destinations in the United States in 2023

As winter approaches, the United States transforms into a wonderland of diverse landscapes and thrilling activities. Whether you seek powdery slopes, serene hot springs, or sun-drenched beaches, the country has it all. Here’s a guide to the best winter getaways in 2023, offering something for every type of traveler.

Dunton, Colorado:

For a relaxing winter escape, Dunton’s hot springs and wooden lodges offer a serene retreat. Dating back to 1885, the area’s mining history adds a touch of authenticity to the experience, making it an ideal spot to unwind.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada:

Lake Tahoe, nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, offers a mesmerizing winter scene with its frozen alpine lake surrounded by snow-covered pine trees. Boasting an average snowfall of 400 inches, it’s a top-notch ski destination. Beyond skiing, enjoy activities like ice skating, sleigh riding, and tubing.

Asheville, North Carolina:

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Asheville provides a captivating winter landscape. Drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, embark on bird watching tours, or enjoy a cozy bar hopping experience in the town.

Sedona, Arizona:

Escape bone-chilling temperatures in Sedona, where milder winters offer a unique desert landscape cloaked in snow. Hike through crimson rock formations, take a hot air balloon ride for a bird’s-eye view, and explore Tlaquepaque Village.

Minneapolis, Minnesota:

Minneapolis, often overlooked, comes alive with winter festivals like the Great Northern and the USA Pond Hockey Championships. The city’s culinary scene thrives in winter, offering tasty delicacies and hot dishes. Explore the hidden winter wonderland with activities like ice skating and snowmobiling.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming:

Jackson Hole’s picturesque setting, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, makes it a haven for winter sports enthusiasts. With an annual snowfall of 458 inches, it’s a paradise for snowy adventures and ecotourism, allowing you to witness impressive wildlife in untouched wilderness.

Vail, Colorado:

Surrounded by alpine slopes, Vail beckons with exciting ski adventures on Vail Mountain. The powdery trails also cater to snowmobiling and snow tubing enthusiasts. Stroll through Beever Creek Village’s classic wooden houses, illuminated with warm lights, and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.

Kauai, Hawaii:

For a warm winter getaway, head to Kauai, Hawaii’s picturesque island with year-round sunshine. Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, whale watching, and beach hopping, surrounded by jungle-clad mountains and brilliant blue oceans.

Salt Lake City, Utah:

Nestled in the Wasatch Range, Salt Lake City is a winter haven with storybook houses adorned in white snow. World-class skiing at Deer Valley Resort is a major draw, but if the outdoors isn’t your calling, the city offers diverse alternatives. Indulge in shopping, relax in hot tubs, or savor local cuisine.

New York City:

Experience the vibrant winter vibes of the Big Apple, from Rockefeller’s Christmas tree to open-air holiday markets like Bryant Park Market. Whether you prefer ice skating, cafe hopping, or holiday shopping, New York City offers a mix of indoor and outdoor winter delights.

Burlington, Vermont:

Embrace the freezing winter in Burlington, where European-styled buildings and twinkling lights create a charming atmosphere. Explore Church Street, a four-block pedestrian market, and indulge in the town’s hospitality. Venture out for ski trips to nearby resorts for added winter excitement.

Anna Maria Island, Florida:

Escape to Anna Maria Island for a sun-soaked winter retreat. With powdery beaches, palm-fringed shores, and laid-back beach vibes, it’s the perfect destination for beach hopping, swimming, and witnessing dazzling sunsets.

Originally posted on frankchiaro.net.

#Frank Chiaro #Frank Lupel Chiaro #Travel #Winter

[ubaid214]

California Condor and Bald Eagle: Majestic Birds in Flight

California, California, also known as the Golden State, is renowned for its stunning landscapes with diverse ecosystems and a wealth of opportunities for outdoor fans. From imposing mountains to sun-kissed beaches, expansive forests to deserts, California offers a wealth of outdoor activities and natural wonders that you can explore. Whether you're an avid hiker, a water sports enthusiast, or simply seeking tranquility in nature, California's outdoors offer something for everyone. Biker Journals

Majestic National Parks California is the home of an impressive array of National Parks, each providing unique outdoor and landscape experiences.

Yosemite National Park: With its iconic granite rock formations, thundering waterfalls and ancient sequoia groves, Yosemite is a must-see destination for those who love nature. Joshua Tree National Park: This park is famous for its eerie desert scenery and the twisted Joshua trees that offer opportunities for rock climbing, hiking, and stargazing. Redwood National and State Parks Visit the breathtaking beauty of the most majestic trees in the world. They are located in these parks and explore through the ancient redwood forests. Channel Islands National Park The Channel Islands National Park of stunning islands on along the California coast, renowned for their unique ecosystems as well as abundant marine life. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Discover majestic sequoia trees and stunning canyons within this wilderness paradise.

Coastal Beauty California boasts over 800 miles of breathtaking coastline, providing endless opportunities for beach enthusiasts and water sports lovers.

Southern California Beaches: Malibu, Venice Beach as well as Laguna Beach are popular destinations to go surfing, swimming and sunbathing. Central Coast: Discover scenic places like Big Sur, with its breathtaking cliffs and stunning beaches as well as the quaint coastal charm of towns like Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. Northern California: Experience the rugged beauty of the coast in locations such as Point Reyes National Seashore and the majestic Mendocino County.

Outdoor Recreation California's varied landscapes accommodate many outdoor activities.

Sierra Nevada Mountains Hike along the breathtaking Sierra Nevada mountain range, with trails like the John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail offering breathtaking views and difficult terrain. Lake Tahoe: Nestled in the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe is a popular destination for water sports like paddling, kayaking and sailing. Eastern Sierra: Explore world-class rock climbing areas within Yosemite Valley and Joshua Tree that offer thrilling experiences for climbers of all skill levels.

Watching birds and wildlife Watching California's diverse ecosystems provide an array of species of wildlife.

California Condor and Bald Eagle You can spot these magnificent creatures in their native habitats, particularly in areas such as Central Coast and Sierra Nevada. Marine Life: Visit Point Reyes National Seashore and the Farallon Islands for opportunities to observe gray whales, seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals. Bird-watching: Salton Sea Salton Sea, an important stopover for migratory birds across the Pacific Flyway, offers exceptional bird-watching opportunities.

Conclusion California's natural beauty is a treasure trove of those who love nature. Whether you're exploring the awe-inspiring national parks, soaking up the sun's rays on gorgeous beaches, participating in thrilling outdoors activities, or watching the diverse wildlife, California offers an unforgettable outdoor experience. So pack your gear and hit the trails and begin a journey exploring the Golden State's natural amazing landscapes.

[foryournextvacation]

5 Reason why you should visit my dream destination

               There can be a lot of reasons why you would like a destination. It could be food, its culture, its architecture or its climate. But this place really just has it all. You will be wondering what could the place be. Paris? London? Tokyo? No. The place I’m talking about is Spain. It is located in extreme southwestern Europe.

               Now, I have never been there but I’ve always grew up admired this place from watching movies, vlogs and etc. I first thought this is just another “wants” and the obsession will slowly just fade away. But that never happened instead I only kept exploring more and more interesting things and places. It has always fantasized me and its so amazing how a place can be this beautiful yet simple. Its has almost every mouth-watering dish to deadly adventurous sports you can try. In this blog, I will share you 5 reasons why you should visit Spain.

Awe-inspiring landscapes       

               Spain is full of beautiful, unspoilt natural landscapes with many still relatively undiscovered. A country full of natural wonders, stunning geological scenery, lush forests, dry deserts, volcanoes, lakes and impressive mountains. Spain may be renowned for its beaches and sunny climes, but it is a country of diverse landscapes. Its mountains are majestic, from the northern Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa to the Sierra Nevada in the south the Mount Teide volcano on the Canary Island of Tenerife. Spain is home to Europe’s only desert, Cabo de Gata in Almería, which inspired Hollywood spaghetti westerns, many of which were filmed in the area.

Amazing adventure activities

               Spain is ripe for adrenaline-fuelled adventures, not limited to rock climbing, hot air balloon ride, steep, deadly walkways in Caminito del Rey, and caving. There are simply more adventurous things to do in Spain that travelers can discover while visiting this European country. Whether engaging in extreme water sports, riding horses, jumping off a bridge, and other wild excursions, tourists can have a memorable and unique experience. From the one of the world’s scariest footpaths to a zip line between Spain and Portugal, the opportunities are endless in Spain if you want an adrenaline kick. Skiing and snowboarding, scuba diving and hiking are all world class, while Spain’s northern coastline plays host to annual surfing competitions.

Food

               Spanish cuisine is among the most varied and well-known in the world. The quality of the ingredients is magnificent. Many dishes have humble origins and are simple to prepare. Through the centuries, the cultures that have inhabited the Iberian Peninsula have provided Spanish dishes with an unparalleled richness. You hear a lot about good Spanish oil, wine, cereals, fruits, recipes with pork, legumes, potatoes, eggs, and many other ingredients. It’s not surprising that the UN has put this Mediterranean diet on a pedestal, qualifying it as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Still, Spanish cuisine is much more than that.

Fantastic fiestas

               Spain is a beautiful country with an even more beautiful culture. So, there are innumerable festivals and events that take place throughout the year in the country. Among Spanish festivals 2022, Tomatina is the most popular one. This is is one of the established facts about Spanish festivals. A few famous festives are La Tamborrada (Drum Festival), Las Fallas De Valencia (Festival Of Fire), Semana Santa (Holy Week), Feria Del Caballo (Horse Fair), Feria De Abril (April Fair Of Seville), Cordoba Patios Festival, Boloencierro, Saint John’s Eve, Haro Wine Festival, Benicassim Festival, San Fermin (Pamplona Bull Run), The Semana Grande, Festa Major De Gracia (Gracia Festival), Feria De Málaga (August Fair In Malaga), La Tomatina (Tomato Fight Festival)

Flamenzo

               Flamenco is a style of dance, singing and guitar playing that originated from the traditional music and dance styles of Andalusia, southern Spain. The rich cultural tradition is closely linked with Spain’s Romani gypsy community, who pioneered the now world-famous style. The genre is also known for its elaborate costumes, with female flamenco dancers wearing exquisitely handcrafted dresses.

[scifigeneration]

What is the cryosphere? Hint: It's vital to farming, fishing and skiing

by Mark Serreze

Rivers of melted ice on a Western Greenland ice sheet drain into the ocean beneath the ice. Photo via Caspar Haarløv/AP

More than 100 scientists from 30 countries will soon release a special report examining climate change impacts on the oceans and a less familiar but critically important part of the Earth: the cryosphere.

Ice sheets, ice caps and glaciers, the floating sea ice of the polar regions, lake ice, snow on the ground, and permafrost, permanently frozen ground in northern latitudes, all make up the cryosphere.

While snow and ice in our daily lives can, at times, be difficult to navigate and sometimes dangerous, people benefit greatly from the cryosphere. It helps cool our planet and controls global sea level. It affects ocean currents and storm patterns around the world. The fresh water stored in snow and ice provides drinking water and irrigates crops. I am a researcher who studies snow and ice, and the fact that the Earth is beginning to lose its cryosphere as a result of global warming climate should concern all of us.

Fresh water locked in massive ice sheets

The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets contain 99% of the freshwater ice on the planet. These ice sheets, glaciers and ice caps around the world are losing mass and are contributing to sea level rise, putting coastal regions and low-lying islands around the world at risk.

The Tibetan Plateau is known as the “water tower” of Asia. The Mekong River, Yellow River, the Yangthze, Indus River and the Karnali all originate on the Tibetan plateau and are fed by snow and glacier melt and the water from these rivers supports hundreds of millions of people.

More locally, in the U.S. Mountain West, including the Cascades, Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains, the winter snowpack, water stored as ice and snow until spring, is the major source of water for agriculture, industry and municipal use. Like the ice sheets in the polar regions, evidence shows that the winter snowpack in the U.S. is shrinking. The economic impact to communities without enough cold weather and snow is numerous, whether it is a loss of winter sports such as skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing or less water for fish or irrigation to grow food.

Mt Rainier in the Cascade Mountain range. Ted S. Warren/AP

The threats of our shrinking cryosphere involve much more than impacts to local and regional economies, however. Much of our planet’s snow and ice, located in the polar regions, is there because it is so cold. The bright white snow and ice cover functions like a mirror for the planet, reflecting back into space much of the Sun’s energy that reaches the surface. The snow and ice reinforce the cold of the polar regions and their role as our planet’s natural refrigerators. A warming Earth undermines the ability of snow and ice to moderate and stabilize the global climate.

The impact of thinning ice

In the Arctic, the North Polar region of Earth, much of the ocean is covered by floating sea ice, which forms when sea water freezes. This sea ice cover is shrinking. As the ice thins and melts, darker surfaces are exposed and absorb more of the Sun’s energy. This leads to more warming and even more melting. This cycle of heat absorption, warming and melting, known as a positive feedback, is a factor in Arctic amplification – the observation that the Arctic is warming at least twice as quickly the rate as the globe as a whole.

The loss of the floating sea ice cover and the rapidly warming Arctic are causing a cascade effect through the Arctic food chain – from top predators like the polar bear to tiny phytoplankton that live throughout the world’s oceans. The lives of the 4 million people who live in the Arctic are being disrupted in myriad ways.

The Greenland ice sheet releases tons of fresh water.

The ice-diminished Arctic is opening up potential shipping lanes including the northern sea route along the Russian coast and the Northwest Passage through the channels of the Canadian Arctic archipelago, all islands north of Canada except Greenland. Oil and natural gas deposits under the Arctic seafloor are becoming more accessible. The potential for economic development in the region brings with it inevitable challenges of governance and conflict.

The global ice budget

But what is happening in the north won’t just stay there. As the Arctic warms, it may disrupt the jet stream, the narrow band of strong west to east winds high in the atmosphere that influences weather, the tracks and intensity of storms in the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Some scientists say that this is already happening.

And, as the Arctic’s permafrost thaws, Arctic land will release stored carbon, in the form of carbon dioxide, and methane back to the atmosphere, potentially leading to further climate warming. The melting Greenland ice sheet is contributing to sea level rise in addition to melting Arctic ice caps and glaciers.

As our climate gets hotter, the cryosphere will continue to shrink and melt, and the impacts of losing it will likely only multiply. What we see today is just the beginning.

About The Author:

Mark Serreze is a Research Professor of Geography and Director, National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado Boulder

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. 

#sciwence #climate science #permafrost #cryosphere

[touristicplaces]

10 best places to visit in California

10 best places to visit in California

There’s additional to American state than simply flick stars and amusement parks.

This is a state that boasts an outsized range of gorgeous natural attractions, including

beautiful beaches, serene deserts, and majestic mountains.

California is additionally home to a variety of exciting major cities, charming cities and many

the world’s best wineries.

An overview of the most effective places to go to in California:

1-Big Sur.

Located between the Carmel Highlands and San patriarch, the geographic area could be a giant, rocky stretch

of the Californian lineation.

Although it doesn’t have any official boundaries, it lines around seventy miles of California’s

famous route One.

The area could be a magnet for travelers on road visits, WHO square measure attracted by the soaring redwood

trees and breathless beaches on the route.

More than simply lovely scenery for driving through, the world conjointly provides lots of

top hiking opportunities that wind their method through the many state parks encompassed

by Big Sur.

2-Catalina Island.

This charming island is found around twenty-two miles across the Pacific from Los

Angeles.

It is each a favorite tour for guests to L.A., likewise as a preferred vacation and

honeymoon spot.

Santa Catalina could be a tiny island with 2 main centers of population, 2 Harbors and

Avalon.

Most travelers to the island keep in the main within the Avalon space.

Surprisingly, the island even boasts a little population of yank bovid that were brought

to the island throughout the photography of a flick.

Travelers will reach the island by personal boat, ferries, helicopters or tiny planes.

Once on the island, transportation is restricted to bicycles, taxis and golf carts.

3-Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe isn't solely spectacular for being the second deepest lake within the North American nation, but also

for its wide length of bounds that offers fantastic natural vistas.

The fresh lake straddles each American state and Battle Born State and could be a high destination year spherical.

The lake became a winter sports destination once the Nineteen Sixties Winter Olympic Games were control

in North American Indian natural depression on the North Shore.

Summer brings hiking within the mountains and boat visits on the lake, likewise as days spent

lazing on the shore, swimming, and BBQs.

4-Sequoia and King's ravine National Parks

These 2 national parks square measure placed nearby to every different within the southern Sierra

Nevada Mountains, and each square measure famed for his or her monumental sequoia trees.

These trees will grow to be over three hundred feet tall and their trunks will be the maximum amount as one hundred

feet wide.

Sequoia parkland, that was established in 1890, is additionally home to Whitney, which

is the highest purpose within the contiguous us.

Interestingly enough, King's ravine boasts the deepest ravine in America.

The parks also are home to plenty of living species, as well as bobcats, gray foxes, bears

and deer.

If they’re lucky, guests would possibly even be ready to spot mountain sheep or mountain lions.

Both parks square measure popular backpackers and hikers, and there square measure fourteen campgrounds obtainable

for guests.

5-Napa natural depression.

Napa's natural depression is the premier destination for wine lovers within us.

Its wines square measure thought-about to be a number of the most effective within the world.

To accommodate the various intoxicant connoisseurs that travel cruciferous plant, the world currently boasts a

variety of accommodations, as well as charming bed and breakfasts, beautiful store hotels

and well-known chain hotels.

There also are habitation grounds obtainable for those curious about saving a bit cash

on lodging.

Besides, cruciferous plant natural depression boasts several best spas wherever guests will get soft and revel in

a variety of fun activities, as well as hot air balloon rides and guided bike wine tours.

6-San Diego.

With fabulous beaches, ideal climate and outstanding family attractions, it's no marvel that San

Diego is one in every of the foremost in style places to go to in American state.

Located simply north of the Mexican border, San Diego could be a giant coastal town with a little

town atmosphere.

The most in style attraction in San Diego is America’s premier facility, that is found

in Balboa Park with flowering gardens and Spanish design.

The city is home to different family attractions like SeaWorld San Diego and also the Birch fish tank.

Another holidaymaker magnet, San Diego’s gorgeous lineation, offers miles of fantastic beaches

including the upmarket beach neighborhood of Los Angeles Jolla.

7-Death natural depression.

Located within the desert, desert encompasses abundant of the desert National

Park.

Although thought to be the driest and lowest place in North America, the desert offers

a variety of outside activities, historic sites, and nature viewing.

From cover mountains to colorful dunes, the distinctive desert landscapes of Death

Valley square measure like no different place in American state.

Places of interests embrace the scenic view of Zabriskie purpose and historic sites like

Scotty’s Castle, the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns and ruins of ghost cities.

8-Los Angeles.

The second-largest town within the USA, l. a. is found in southern American state enclosed

by the seashore, mountains, and valleys.

Known as the town of Angels, the town offers a good vary of attractions and beaches, including

wild-and-crazy Venice Beach and Malibu, the sandy playground favored by flick stars.

Travelers to L.A. will notice a number of the known amusement parks on the earth here, including

Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Los Angeles is additionally one in every of the most effective places within us to travel in search of celebrities.

Tourists will rummage around for celebrity homes or sponsor the designer stores in the urban center that

cater to celebrities.

And in L.A., travelers also can visit and decay an equivalent famed restaurant that the

celebs and also the made and famed dine at.

9-Yosemite parkland.

Located within the Sierra Battle Born State Mountains of the central jap American state, the Yosemite National

Park is well-loved for its gorgeous granite cliffs, sequoia groves, lovely waterfalls

and various animals and flora.

Visitors will hike among the 800 miles of trails, or drive on scenic routes to expertise

the beautiful landscapes and glimpse life.

Attractions embrace ice mass purpose, with unbelievable views of the Yosemite natural depression, the character center

and Yosemite repository and historic places just like the LeConte Memorial Lodge and also the Ahwahnee

Hotel.

10-San Francisco.

San Francisco could be a fun and exciting town in northern American state, assail the tip of a ground

in the San Francisco Bay space.

Undoubtedly, the sound Bridge is the city’s beloved attraction.

Tourists will drive, bike ride or walk across this famed bridge to admire and

photograph gorgeous views.

Besides, guests to San Francisco will visit the street, that is known for

its tight curves, or take a visit to San Francisco’s Chinatown section, that is that the largest outside

of Asia.

Tourism in USA from Blogger https://ift.tt/2tN2Sc6 via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Blogger

[fatehbaz]

An iconic reptile of the Pacific Northwest and islands in the Salish Sea: the small and humble sharp-tailed snake

Image 1 - A sharp-tailed snake - By Huck Triggs, via Gary Nafis Image 2 - The defensive display of several sharp-tailed snakes - By Jared Heald, via Gary Nafis Image 3 - A sharp-tailed snake from Douglas County, Oregon - By pseudacris via Flickr Image 4 - A sharp-tailed snake from Jackson County, Oregon - By pseudacris via Flickr Image 5 -  A comparison between the distribution ranges of the Garry oak (left, via Marlow Pellatt) and sharp-tailed snake (right, via British Columbia government)

Oh wow, it’s Contia tenuis (sharp-tailed snake), iconic snake on islands in the Salish Sea and an emblem of the highly-endangered Garry oak woodland biome. Currently my favorite North American snake species. If there is one, single snake that best represents the prairie and oak woodlands of the coastal Pacific Northwest, it’s probably this baby - a species endemic to the mild climates of the Pacific coast (a very rare quality for a reptile north of California).

The Pacific Northwest is cool and wet, so not many reptiles can make their home here. But the sharp-tailed snake is cold-tolerant and can deal with extra moisture on the forest floor. And besides - the snake loves to feed on slugs and snails, and the Pacific Northwest has no shortage of molluscs!

People who have lived on Vancouver Island might be familiar with this snake, since it’s an icon of endangered Garry oak (Quercus garryana) landscapes and it features heavily in conservation in and around Victoria. The sharp-tailed snake also has small disjunct populations on the Gulf Islands (San Juan Island; Saltspring Island; Galiano Island). They are closely-associated with oak savanna and prairie - and this is part of why they’re so special. Dry environments like this are rare in the Pacific Northwest, and I think it’s really cool how a reptile like this is able to survive in the midst of extensive rainforest by inhabiting small patches of dry habitat.

Similar to the ring-necked snake, this baby loves eating slugs and snails, so it’s deeply dependent on the types of intermittent woodland that are wet enough for molluscs but dry enough that reptiles can thermoregulate properly.

Here’s where they live:

This map was taken from one of the best and most comprehensive assessments of sharp-tailed snakes, produced by British Columbia researchers for COSEWIC (available here). The species indicated as Contia longicaudae is the closely-related “forest sharp-tailed snake” - a sister species that prefers the redwood forest of the immediate coastline, and cedar-hemlock temperate rainforest in the Klamath Mountains.

The importance of Garry oak woodland

In contrast to the rainforest of the Pacific Northwest, Garry oak woodland is generally relegated to isolated valley bottoms. This means the snake lives in the trough and oak-dominated valleys between the Coast Range and the Cascades, which, north of California, includes the Rogue River area, Medford-Ashland area, Roseburg area, Willamette Valley, Puget Sound, and eastern Vancouver Island.

Compare the sharp-tailed snake’s distribution to the distribution of Garry oak woodlands, in the map included with the photoset above.

Here’s a view of the oak woodland habitat of the snake, from Lake County, California (photo by Gary Nafis).

And here’s a look at some habitat in Kittias County, Washington, on the eastern slopes of the Cascades where Garry oak woodland extends slightly into the Inland Northwest (photo by Gary Nafis).

The snake’s distribution range is really uneven, since a lot of the Northwest’s oak woodlands are broken-up by intermittent dry coniferous forest and rainforest. There are some isolated populations east of the Cascades in central Washington’s Yakima Valley and Columbia River Gorge, though this place happens to be an eastward extension of the same Pacific grassland and oak savanna of the coast. (The Yakima/Gorge area in Washington is very distinct from the sagebrush steppe and Palouse grassland of the rest of eastern Washington; it’s like a little piece of Willamette Valley escaped the blockade created by the Cascades and spilled over into eastern Washington).

The importance of the Salish Sea

You can see where the sharp-tailed snake escaped glaciation by hiding-out on small islands in the Salish Sea near Victoria, British Columbia.

The sharp-tailed snake also has a small population on Washington’s San Juan Island. The Salish Sea provides an important habitat for reptiles in the Pacific Northwest, since its low elevation landscape sits in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains and Vancouver Island’s mountains. This means that prairies and oak woodlands can exist along the shore of the sea. Another iconic reptile of the Salish Sea is the Northwestern fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis occidentalis).

Because British Columbia ecologists provide such high-quality research, by visiting this site here, you can access far more specific information about all those separate little populations of the sharp-tailed snake on Vancouver Island (including population size, habitat specifics, ownership of the land, and projected climate affects on each area).

Aside from the sharp-tailed snake, there are 4 other snake species/subspecies which are tied closely with the Pacific Northwest. With the exception of 3 species/subspecies of gartersnakes and 1 subspecies of ring-necked snake - who love cooler weather and water, and can handle the PNW’s moisture - the sharp-tailed snake is the only other snake species that’s basically endemic to the Pacific Northwest coast west of the Cascades. (The sharp-tailed snake also lives in northern California, but west of the Sierra Nevada so it still counts as essentially endemic to “the coast.”) The only other non-snake reptiles that are so emblematic of and widespread in the coastal Pacific Northwest have to be the Northwestern alligator lizard (Elgaria coerulea principis), the Northwestern fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis occidentalis), and the Northern Pacific pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata).

-

Look at her.

#sorry for that classic old-school Tumblr twee tone-of-voice here #thanks for indulging my hyper-fixations #i just really love these snakes #i'll probably talk more about PNW reptiles in the future if anyone's interested

[lordsofcorbina]

THE LOC INTERVIEW

I thought it would be interesting to do a few interviews within our community  to see what makes them tick.  It takes a certain type of angler to obsessively target a fish that does not like to participate in the program we have enrolled them in called catching...

This season, it seems there are a lot of new faces taking up the challenge of sight fishing for Corbina. Among them is my friend Devon.

I thought he would be the perfect candidate for the first LOC interview.

The Rookie.

How are we acquainted?

We met around 2005 when I worked at the old fly fishing / fishing counter at Sport Chalet in La Cañada (RIP).  I remember you coming in to buy tying materials, look at what Tom Ishkanian had recently marked down and swap surf fishing stories with me.  Eventually you introduced me to the “Van Nuys River” (google Van Nuys is very very nice) and we spent the mornings fly fishing for carp and the nights riding fix gear bikes on the streets of LA.  Fun times....

Why do you fish and how many years have you been fishing?

34 years?  Fishing is a way to experience living in LA that for me unlocks its secrets.  In a space that is crowded and always busy it is a way to slow down, be observant, alone and discover the overlooked spaces right in front of you that everyone else misses.  I’ve lived and fished in LA my entire life but took a 5 year self-imposed hiatus when I became a father.  I wanted to give my son and my career my full undivided attention until he was at an age he would have the attention span to join me fishing. My son is now 8, and this summer he began transitioning from spinning tackle to a fly rod.  He is in love with fishing and is also old enough to also understand why I need to go alone sometimes.  Honestly it’s a dad dream come true!  I plan to do more destination fly fishing with him when he hits 12 or 13.

When was the first time you went fishing by yourself?

I honestly don’t remember.  It may have been fishing at upper Twin Lakes in Mammoth when I was around 13.  I was fortunate to have grown up fishing in the Mammoth area every summer.  When I got older my dad would drop my younger brother and I off at Twin Lakes with float tubes and pick us up with a stringer of rainbows when it was dark.  At that age I wanted to fish 24/7.  I would often spend weeks in the sierras getting dropped off at different spots in the morning and evening.  I didn’t have the confidence back then to fish lakes with a fly rod and would enjoy catching trout on red thomas buoyants and gold super dupers and switch to a fly rod to fish the lower Owens.

Do you travel to fish/take exclusive fishing trips. What have been some of your trips and successes?

I fished a summer on the Big Island when I was 17 with my best friend.  The parties, ahi and ono were epic!  Ha!  Other than that I didn’t get a chance to really travel to fish beyond the Eastern Sierras until three years ago.

In the summer of 2017 I had an epic solo trip to New Mexico.  I decided to only pack a 6’ 6” Fenwick glass 3wt and ended up having a blast catching big 20-24” rainbows on Chernobyl ants and midges at the San Juan.  I also fished throughout Northern New Mexico at the Rio Chama, Brazos, and Pecos Rivers over a month and half.  

In 2018 I fly fished for rainbows and sea run brookies on Prince Edward Island and gave it an unsuccessful shot at Atlantic Salmon on the Margaree River in Nova Scotia.

This year has taken the cake though.  In July I packed my old 2004 Tacoma with camping gear, a float tube and fly rods and took a solo road trip to Nevada and Utah and had the most epic fly fishing trip of my life.  In Nevada I fished an off the grid lake loaded with fat 18-22” rainbows willing to eat dry flies.  I planned on fishing one day in Nevada and ended up staying for three.  In Utah I fished an insane cicada hatch wading solo on the Green River.  On the Green I released fat browns and rainbows all on cicada dries up to 21”.  At night I fished mice in the Uinta high country and caught my personal best trout, a massive brown buck that taped out at 27 inches.  The memory of him crushing a 6” rat fly twice in a shallow riffle still makes me smile daily.

It took a few decades to get to a place in my busy life as an artist, professor and father to dedicate more time to fishing again.  I plan on many more trips in the future. Roosters, Japanese yamame, steelhead, Lahontans, Alaskan artic char, Nevada cutties and more big browns are on the wish list.

When and why did you pick up a fly rod?

I started fly fishing when I was 11.  My parents bought me a South Bend 2wt from the old Beverly Connection Sport Chalet as an elementary school graduation present.  I would finish my homework as fast as possibles so my dad would let me chase down bluegill at Kenneth Hahn Park with black ants I tied myself. In my Japanese American family fishing was what was discussed on Thanksgiving and New Years.  I grew up fishing in Kings Harbor, Mammoth, surf fishing, chasing tuna out of San Diego and throwing iron on the bow of the Matt Walsh out of LA Harbor in the 80s and 90s. I was the first in my family to adopt fly fish with my father and brother following shortly.  It wasn’t until a few years ago though I decided to dedicate more time to it, however I still enjoy fishing largemouth and other fish on conventional tackle.  I have never been a fly rod only kinda guy.

How long have you’ve been fly fishing

28yrs....and it is still humbling.  Lots to learn. 

Have you or do you work currently in the fishing industry?

I worked in the fishing department for 13 years at Sport Chalet primarily at the old La Cañada store.  I also worked at the Huntington Beach and the Beverly Connection locations as well.  I met a lot of rad people there and learned a lot about fishing.  I miss the pro deals and free lift tickets, but not the tiny pay checks! Ha!  There is a funny video produced by “whipitgood” of me falling in the LA River fighting a carp on a little 7’ 3wt “Taking it to the limit” in my red uniform somewhere on the internet.  First one to find it gets a free license plate frame.

Corbina.

How did you first hear about fly fishing for Corbina?

My dad told me he heard it was possible from a Japanese American guy named Steve who used to work at Sport Chalet at the Beverly Connection probably around 1997.  I was fishing the surf hard at the time 3-4 days a week and just thought it sounded crazy.  It wasn’t until I met you I saw proof it was possible.  I remember being in disbelief when you showed me a photo of the biggest corbina I had ever seen and it was caught on a fly.

Did you have experience surf fishing before trying it on the fly?

Yes.  I have always been very serious about surf fishing.  I surf fished hard throughout high school and college.  I consider myself very experienced from the shore logging hundreds of days at the beach.  After becoming bored of catching perch and corbina on light spinning tackle I started focusing on larger fish.  I’ve caught big calicos, legal white sea bass, big leopards, and released Giant Black Sea Bass over 50lbs from the sand.

What were your perceptions before trying it and why did you want to try?

My perception was that it was impossible, and sounded like torture!  For decades I thought, it’s hard enough catching corbina on live sand crabs and 6lb line, why would I want to make that even harder.  From my 30yrs of experience fishing the surf I had only seen 2 corbina ever caught on anything but a live sand crab, so my perception was that it was incredibly hard and would require very specialized gear.  14 years later I returned to LA super charged on fly fishing from the epic trip to Utah I previously mentioned.  I was inspired to give it a shot so I gave you a call.  I think I gained some confidence with the fly rod the last few years traveling and fishing solo.  The combo made me mentally ready to take on the challenge and continue on my fly fishing redux.

As a beginner who has had success what are some of the biggest misconceptions about targeting this fish?*

You don’t need anything heavier than a 5wt, you don’t need to stand in the water, you don’t need a stripping basket, you don’t need a secret spot 2hrs from your house, and you will be the most successful when you can see the corbina chase and eat the fly in 6 inches of water.  Sounds too good to be true? It isn’t.

What lives up to the hype?

The hunt and the take.  The epic elements of sight fishing live up to the hype.  Equally the difficulty also lives up to the hype.  One fish to hand is success, watching one fish chase and eat is amazing, watching multiple fish chase and eat on one trip makes it epic.  Bottom line, the level of difficulty is a 10, but the level of reward can also be a 10 even with only one fish caught.

Do you factor in the conditions before you go for a session?

Always.  If the conditions are bad your chances go from hard to next to impossible.  Sunny, morning low incoming tide from negative up to a 2.0, on a beach with small waves, with lots of fish and structure (pools and eddies created by sand erosion) are an ideal 10 condition.  Remove 2 points for every 1 of those elements removed. I’m bad at math but if you remove all those except for the presence of fish that leaves you at a 2/10.  At that point you are throwing darts blind.  Better to stay home if the conditions are bad and get work done so when it is good you can go fishing more!

What is your favorite kind of beach setup to target Corbina if you have one?

Negative tide pushing into structure pools, sunny and pods of three to five 20-24” corbina swimming in and out of those pools with small waves allowing for maximum water clarity.  In these moments you will see fish charge out of those little pools toward the sand when a larger wave comes.  The fish compete swimming toward you into 4-6” of water chasing your fly all the way to the edge of the sand and eat.  Epic!

What is your rod setup and has it changed since you started?

I started with a really fast and stiff TFO TiCrX 9’ 5wt with a long fast full sink line and a straight 10lb flourocarbon leader tied to a #6 natural grey surfin merkin fly with bead chain eyes.  I had success immediately, but felt the rod was too heavy and mentally wanted the line to be more stealthy.  After three trips I changed to more of a lighter trout rod, an inexpensive Albright 9’ 5wt with a smaller lighter and older Lamson Litespeed reel with a fully clear Airflo Ridge Clear freshwater fast sink intermediate line.  I also started tying the Merkins with heavier eyes to compensate for a slower sinking line.  I have a lot of success with this setup as well.  I feel more confidence using a shorter leader with the clear fly line and feel I can place the fly more accurately and keep the fish pinned easier with the lighter rod.  In my mind the clear fly line is less likely to spook fish in super clear, skinny conditions.  Also over all it is just more enjoyable casting, but when conditions deteriorate sometimes I miss the full sink line.  In these instances I feel like using the intermediate line reduces the seconds my fly is in the strike zone.  I want to try a glass rod next to see if it helps keep fish pinned better.  The bend of a glass rod on a screaming corbina run also sounds really fun to me. 

What fly do you use?

Pink modified surfin merkin with the round top 75% of the time and a natural grey version 25% of the time.  I like the pink when sight fishing is ideal because I can see the fly better and place it more accurately. When conditions are less ideal I have more confidence with the more natural color.  Honestly the fish don’t seem to mind which color, it’s more about where you put it.

What is your leader setup?

Straight 10lb flouro. 

What is your largest Corbina so far?

61.5cm = 24inches!

What is the most you have caught in a single session.

3 beans.  Also an interesting fact, I’ve never caught anything else other than corbina on the fly.  In about 7 trips I have been skunked twice and both times I was skunked I had a fish hooked and it came unpinned.  I’m trying not to keep track, but my corbina sensei finds it interesting. ; )

So far in your experience, what is the most important factor in targeting Corbina?

Low tide and small wave conditions.  If you can’t spot the fish either tailing, swirling or in clear water it makes it very torturing.  You also must be patient and you need to resist the urge to walk into the water past your ankles....because when you do they will sneak past you, slap the water behind you darting for deep water just to make you feel like an idiot!

What has been the most frustrating part of targeting Corbina?

Staying home because the conditions are not right.  Find another hobby, like playing the ukulele, painting, or just fish for a different species, because if the conditions aren’t right you will just catch a tourist taking a selfie on your backcast because you will get frustrated and loose focus. 

What do you think you need to work on?

Accurate casting.  I’m decent....but I need to put a little time in to correct my cast.  The majority of the time you only have one shot and if your cast is 6” the wrong direction you are toast.  I also want to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the swell and tides’ effect on creating sand structure to better predict which beaches will have ideal structure to take full advantage of prime conditions. 

Well there you have it folks our first interview.

Thanks Devon for taking the time to give us a your perspective...

http://www.devontsuno.com/index.php?/project/paintings/

Photography Jon Nakano

[stumblngrumbl]

#Island lake #northern sierra nevada

[homeinspectionidea]

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[newstfionline]

Thursday, December 30, 2021

COVID-19 cases surge around world, raising testing and quarantine fears (Reuters) Daily COVID-19 infections have hit record highs in the United States, swathes of Europe and Australia as the new Omicron variant of the virus races out of control, keeping workers at home and overwhelming testing centres. Almost two years after China first reported a cluster of “viral pneumonia” cases in the city of Wuhan, the regularly mutating coronavirus is wreaking havoc in many parts of the world, forcing governments to rethink quarantine and test rules. Although some studies have suggested the Omicron variant is less deadly than some of its predecessors, the huge numbers of people testing positive mean that hospitals in some countries might soon be overwhelmed, while businesses might struggle to carry on operating because of workers having to quarantine.

Winter snow, cold slam Northwest and Sierra (AP) The Pacific Northwest and Sierra Nevada grappled Tuesday with another day of snow, ice and unseasonable cold that has disrupted traffic, caused closures and forced people to find refuge in emergency warming shelters. Across western Washington and Oregon, officials and private groups opened emergency spaces for people as forecasters said the extreme cold from an arctic blast that blew in Sunday could last until the weekend. Farther south, part of the main highway from San Francisco to Reno remained closed Tuesday for a third day due to record-setting snow in the Lake Tahoe area after a winter storm blasted across northern California and Nevada.

Still cruising, but covid-19 still a passenger (Quartz) The US cruise industry was just starting to get back to normal when the omicron variant came along and rocked the boat. Over the weekend, passengers who had expected to spend their holidays on sunny Caribbean islands found themselves holed up inside cruise ships due to covid-19 outbreaks. A Royal Caribbean International cruise that set sail from Fort Lauderdale reported 55 fully vaccinated passengers and crew tested positive for the virus on Dec. 23, forcing the ship to forgo planned stops Curaçao and Aruba and head back to Florida. As of yesterday (Dec. 27) at least four US cruise ships had reported covid-19 outbreaks on board, leading the vessels to be turned away from docking at foreign ports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today it was monitoring outbreaks on 86 different cruise ships.

2022 will bring challenges to Caribbean nations facing social upheaval, COVID pandemic (Miami Herald) From earthquakes to sham elections, the assassination of a president, or the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Latin American and Caribbean countries faced economic and political setbacks in 2021 that could significantly affect their populations for years to come. The pandemic hit the region hardest, with Brazil, Mexico, and Peru topping the world charts of COVID-related deaths. Brazil alone reported more than 22 million cases and Cuba, with a bit less than a million, had the highest number of cases in the Caribbean. Many countries in the Caribbean, are still lagging in vaccinating the population, as the availability of shots has become a significant hurdle. Increased poverty and instability have sent thousands of migrants to the U.S. southern border and the trend is unlikely to change next year. The rise of authoritarianism and populist governments in the hemisphere will continue challenging a U.S. administration that regards democracy and the fight against corruption as central pillars of its foreign policy.

In the rainforest’s shadow, Brazilian surf capital blossoms (AP) As most of Brazil tuned in to watch two local clubs battle for the continent’s soccer championship last month, 14-year-old Luana Reis was far from a television set. She was surfing blue-green waves with a soaring rainforest backdrop, competing with dozens of other teens in the yearly municipal tournament at one of the country’s premier surf beaches, Maresias. The beach in the town of Sao Sebastiao is ground zero for surfing in a nation that unleashed “the Brazilian Storm” on the world—a generation of professional surfers who have won five of the past seven men’s world championships.

China urges US to protect its space station from satellites (AP) China is calling on the United States to protect a Chinese space station and its three-member crew after Beijing complained that satellites launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX nearly struck the station. A foreign ministry spokesman accused Washington on Tuesday of ignoring its treaty obligations to protect the safety of the Tiangong station’s three-member crew following the July 1 and Oct. 21 incidents. The United States should “take immediate measures to prevent such incidents from happening again,” said the spokesman, Zhao Lijian.

Hong Kong pro-democracy Stand News shuts down after police raid, arrests (Reuters) Hong Kong pro-democracy media outlet Stand News shut down on Wednesday after police raided its office, froze its assets and arrested senior staff on suspected “seditious publication” offences, in the latest crackdown on the city’s media. Stand News, set up in 2014 as a non-profit, was the most prominent remaining pro-democracy publication in Hong Kong after a national security investigation this year led to the closure of jailed tycoon Jimmy Lai’s Apple Daily tabloid. The raid raises more concerns about press freedom in the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with the promise that a wide range of individual rights would be protected.

Pilots detail chaotic collapse of the Afghan Air Force (Reuters) Hours before Kabul fell to the Taliban on Aug. 15, the Afghan Air Force was melting down. Instead of unleashing air attacks against advancing insurgents, some airmen were fighting each other. At the Kabul airport, some Afghan Air Force personnel guarding the airfield tried to force their way onto a military helicopter preparing to lift off, according to the Afghan Air Force pilot flying the craft and two other people familiar with the incident. The chopper’s destination was across town, but the guardsmen were convinced it was leaving the country and were determined not to be left behind, the pilot told Reuters. Another guard, trying to stop them, pointed his gun at the cockpit. Bedlam ensued. Shots rang out. Bullets pierced the helicopter. Debris and metal flew, injuring the pilot and another airman on board. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country later that day, hastening the collapse of the U.S.-backed government faster than even the most pessimistic defense analysts had predicted. Within hours, the Taliban stormed into Kabul, triggering a chaotic American evacuation.

In exodus from Lebanon, the well-off find new home in Cyprus (AP) Many well-off Lebanese who escaped their country’s economic tailspin for a new life in the nearby island nation of Cyprus say the transition has been a whirlwind of emotions. They are grateful they did not have to turn to human smugglers and embark on risky Mediterranean crossings to reach European shores. But they also feel guilty for leaving family and friends behind to struggle with Lebanon’s unprecedented crises—a failing economy, political uncertainty and social upheaval. More than 12,000 Lebanese have left their homeland in the past two years for Cyprus—less than a 50-minute flight from Beirut—enrolling their kids in schools, setting up businesses and snapping up apartments on the island.

As US focus wanes, Mideast turns inward for talks (AP) After years of looking abroad for answers, countries in the Middle East now appear to instead be talking to each other to find solutions following two decades defined by war and political upheaval. The American withdrawals from Afghanistan and Iraq have played a part in that change. Once ostracized autocracies such as President Bashar Assad in Syria, and shunned former top figures such as Moammar Gadhafi’s son in Libya, are back in the political arena amid the still smoldering ruins of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings. Much remains unsettled and this inward search may not provide the answers most want. There are no quick fixes to Lebanon’s unprecedented economic free-fall, the plight of Afghans desperate to flee the country’s new Taliban rulers and Iran’s increasingly hard-line stance over its nuclear program. But the diplomatic maneuvering signals a growing realization across the region that America’s interest is moving elsewhere and that now is the time for negotiations that were unthinkable just a year ago.

New Year’s resolutions (Religion News Service) When making a New Year’s resolution, Americans take a bit of advice from the beloved 1987 film “The Princess Bride.” “If you haven’t got your health, you haven’t got anything.” Just under half of Americans (44%) said they have made resolutions in the past to address their health, according to a new survey from Lifeway Research, an evangelical group based in Nashville, Tennessee, that studies matters of faith and culture. Fewer Americans say they have resolved at past New Year’s to address their finances (29%) or their relationship to God (29%). Other topics for resolutions have included a relationship with a family member (26%), time usage (22%), work (18%) or a relationship with a friend (15%). Resolutions about health also topped a recent Economist/YouGov survey of 1,500 Americans, which asked about resolutions for the year 2022. In that survey, about a quarter of Americans who plan to make 2022 resolutions said they will resolve to live healthier (23%), followed by those who want to improve their happiness (21%), lose weight (20%) or work on career goals (16%) or finances (13%).

#headlines #news

[ecgraphics-blog]

San Francisco, Sonoma, Lake Tahoe & Yosemite Northern California could be considered a country to itself- From the coast to the forests to the magnificence of Yosemite, this 9-night driving vacation will have you exploring California's northern gems. Experience gigantic 1000-year-old redwoods and crashing coastlines. Discover the 7 Hills of San Francisco in a cable car then sip some of Sonoma's world-famous wine.  Marvel at the clear, deep waters of Lake Tahoe and snap a picture of El Capitan in Yosemite. The vacation is really a dream come true.  PACKAGE OVERVIEW You might not always stand up as soon as your plane lands, but you will on this trip! This unforgettable road trip through Northern California is so good, you won't want to waste a moment. Start your adventure in the City by the Bay - San Francisco! From the Golden Gate to Alcatraz Island to the hustle and bustle of the Castro, this historic city has something exciting around every corner. After your time in SF, you'll set your course for the Sonoma Valley. Sonoma Valley's scenic backroads and expansive array of excellent wines are every wine-lover's dream. Be your own sommelier for a day and treat yourself to a winery tour or two before moving on to the crisp air of the Sierra Nevadas. Your next stop will be in South Lake Tahoe for all your favorite outdoor activities. Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to play all day and party all night. After an invigorating stay, you'll head for one of the world's most famous national parks: Yosemite.  Two nights in Yosemite will stir up your hunger for outdoor adventure. Take on the excellent hiking and irresistible views of the area. Picturesque year-round, Yosemite is impossible not to love. Your road trip will come full-circle upon your return to San Francisco. Use your final night to dive into any last-minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping that piques your interest.  Please Feel Free to Ask For a Detailed Itinerary Please note that some package inclusions may be restricted or unavailable at time of travel. We will substitute them with similar options of equivalent value, as available. (at Worldwide) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXOusaoO4Xy/?utm_medium=tumblr

[happyweddingblogs]

Top 15 Beautiful Engagement Photo Locations in California

Are you planning a breathtaking engagement photo shoot in California?

Well, that’s amazing! But choosing the place where to take your photos with so many options in California can be taxing. Worry not! Read this post. Here in this post, we’re sharing some gorgeous places for your engagement photo shoot.

After the immense popularity of destination weddings, many couples are now considering to have their engagement photo shoot away from their homeland. And why not! After all, your engagement is the first step to your new life; it should be celebrated the grand way. What better way to celebrate than with a lavish engagement photo shoot in California?

California is one of the most beautiful settings for an engagement photo shoot in the United States. Apart from traveling and exploring, it’s a great site to create fond memories of your engagement.

Ready to explore?

Let’s get started…

15 Stunning Locations In California For Engagement Photography

1. Marin Headlands

The Marin Headlands are a mountainous peninsula in Marin County, California, located approximately north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, which unites the two counties and peninsulas. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area encompasses the entire area. The views of the Bay Area from the Headlands are legendary, particularly of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The spectacular views from this gorgeous San Francisco site, which overlooks the shoreline to the north and the Golden Gate Bridge to the south, will take your breath away. If you want a lot of variety in one place plus one of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, this is the place to go.

2. Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay, a small town in California, is one of California’s best engagement photo shoot locations. It’s a gorgeous coast side town with lots of incredible beaches and hidden corners. You’ll be mesmerized to see the beauty of hidden beaches and breathtaking views here in Half Moon Bay. A perfect location for a memorable photo shoot.

3. Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a tiny coastal town on the Monterey Peninsula in California. The beaches surrounding this large bay provide an exceptionally stunning backdrop for beach engagement photos. Besides, it’s recognized for the ancient Carmel Mission’s museums and library, as well as the village-like center’s fairytale homes and galleries.

The Scenic Bluff Path, which has a scuba entrance point, leads from Carmel Beach to the bird-rich Carmel River State Beach. The sea critters and whaling museum of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve are located to the south.

So, if you’re seeking for a location with more engagement photography alternatives, Carmel-by-the-Sea is the place to go. There are sundry options to choose from; besides beach photography, you can even opt for a library or museum for photo shoot. Moreover, there are so many other places to visit and make your vacation memorable.

4. The Legion of Honor

The California Palace of the Legion of Honor, popularly known as the Legion of Honor, is a museum in San Francisco, California. It’s in Lincoln Park. This historic San Francisco art museum is the ideal setting for engagement photos in California. The secret to outstanding and distinctive engagement photos is classic architecture and a clean, romantic aesthetic.

Related: Best Poses for Your Engagement Photos

5. Golden Gate Bridge Overlook

The Golden Gate Overlook provides a unique perspective of the bridge that bears its name. This magnificent viewpoint and its close relative, the Pacific Overlook, were created in 2012 to commemorate the Golden Gate Bridge’s 75th anniversary. The viewing area of the Golden Gate Overlook, located off Lincoln Boulevard, is a curved concrete plaza that embraces the edge of the coastal bluff, mirroring the architecture of the surrounding military fortifications and artillery batteries. Wooden benches urge you to take a break and take in the beautiful native vegetation and views of the meandering trails below as you take in the coastal views.

Having your engagement photos at the Golden Gate Bridge overlook is unquestionably like adding both grandiose and excitement to your pictures. This hidden overlook location offers one of the most beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

6. Garin Park

Garin Park, part of the East Bay Regional Parks system, is located in Hayward, California. Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park, a sister park, shares a congruent border with it. The park is located on the former Garin Ranch, which was sold to the district in 1966 by Andrew J. Garin.

This charming park offers all you need for breathtaking shots in California’s famous golden rolling hills. If you’re looking for astonishingly gorgeous daylight, enormous views of rolling hills, and a modest yet attractive backdrop for your California engagement photos, Garin Park is the place.

7. Baker Beach

Baker Beach is a beach located on San Francisco’s peninsula. The beach is located northwest of the city on the Pacific Ocean, making it one of the ideal locations for your engagement photo shoot.

This well-known San Francisco beach offers a spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge. It offers magnificent sunset light and the most beautiful views of the Bridge – perfect for a romantic shoot. This is an ideal location for your shoot if you want to capture some glorious California light on the beach.

8. Pasadena City Hall

Pasadena City Hall, erected in 1927, is a prominent architectural specimen of the City Beautiful movement of the 1920s and serves as the central headquarters for city government in the City of Pasadena, California. It features everything that you need to make your shoot stunning – a lovely fountain, lush landscaping, and 1920s architecture.

It is one of the dazzling locations for an engagement photo shoot. If you’re looking for a royal theme or something with a “castle” vibe for your engagement photo shoot, this is the place to opt for.

9. Vasquez Rocks

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is a gorgeous 932-acre park in northern Los Angeles County, California, located in the Sierra Pelona Mountains. It’s famous for its rock formations, which are the consequence of sedimentary layering and subsequent seismic uplift.

If the theme is “adventure” for your engagement photo shoot, then wait not to drive to the Vasquez Rocks in the Sierra Pelona Mountains, which is just past Santa Clarita. The park’s rock formations and paths are incredibly magnificent. You will be trudging uphill to get those stunning photos of yours, but trust it’s worth it! There are several steep upward angles on the big rock formations that you’ll want to photograph.

10. Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mission San Juan Capistrano is a Spanish Mission in San Juan Capistrano, Orange County, California. It was named after Saint John of Capistrano and was founded on November 1, 1776, in colonial Las Californias by Spanish Catholic Franciscan missionaries. It’s a rare historic site perfect for your engagement photo shoot.

The Mission is noted for its distinctive architecture, which is distinguished by the play of light and shadows, giving it a majestic, romantic appearance. Fountains, bells, and other architectural elements provide interesting specular highlights and backdrops. The Mission’s core has a wonderful appeal with well-kept lawns, attractive flowers, and running water fountains. For those interested in a “Vintage” motif, Mission San Juan Capistrano is an excellent choice.

11. Treasure Island

Treasure Island is a manmade island in San Francisco Bay. The World’s Fair site on the island, constructed in the year 1936–37 for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition, is a California Historic Landmark. If you’re looking for a blend of beach images, breathtaking scenery, and amazing views, Treasure Island in Laguna Beach is the place to go!

The breathtaking views of the ocean from the overlook make for amazingly romantic engagement photos. This is one of the most enchanting locations for engagement photos in Orange County. Give it a shot!

12. Mormon Rocks

Mormon Rocks, situated about 1 mile west of the freeway and north of Highway 138, is a very popular and breathtaking site for your engagement photo shoot. It appears to greet visitors to the Mojave Desert. Look no further than Mormon Rocks for stunning desert and mountain views! You’re going to love this place for sure!

13. Victoria Beach

Without a doubt, one of Laguna’s most well-known beaches is Victoria beach. It has iconic sites like the fabled “Pirate Tower” and a circular, artificial pool, as well as rugged landscapes and spectacular sunsets, making it an ideal location for your engagement photo shoot. Skim boarders adore it as well.

Note: Don’t miss to check the surf report before going out, as the tide can catch you off guard, and don’t forget your permit, which is required when photographing a picture session on most California beaches.

14. Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is one of California’s most beautiful national parks located east of Los Angeles and San Bernardino. It is a large protected area that features rugged rock formations and stark desert vistas. The park is situated between the cactus-studded Colorado Desert and the higher, cooler Mojave Desert and is named after the region’s twisted, bristling Joshua trees. The Coachella Valley can be seen from Keys View. Famous for hiking, hiking routes wind their way through Hidden Valley’s boulders.

The site offers impressive desert views and unique landscapes, perfect for a spellbinding photo session, in addition to plenty of rock formations, meadows, dunes, and, of course, Joshua Trees.

Note: This location is ideal for spring and fall as the weather during this time is most pleasant.

15. Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a vast freshwater lake located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the California-Nevada border. This location is famous for its beaches and ski resorts. Emerald Bay State Park on the southwest side is home to the 1929 Nordic-style mansion Vikingsholm. Sand Harbor Beach and Spooner Lake, a gateway to the long-distance Tahoe Rim Trail, are located in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park on the lake’s northeast shore.

Known for its hiking trails and ski slopes, Lake Tahoe is an ideal alpine location for your engagement photo shoot. Your photographer will get unlimited options and spots to click memorable pictures, as the surrounding area is full of natural beauty and gorgeous backdrops.

Wrapping it up…

So, these are the top 15 engagement photo shoot locations in California to explore. Aside from these, there are a number of other stunning spots in California where you can have your engagement photo shoot.

All you have to take care of is the weather conditions. Also, don’t miss obtaining permits beforehand for your engagement photo shoot, mainly when you’ll shoot on a beach or a museum or any other such place.

#engagement photo loacation in california #engagement photo california #california engagement photography

[whutpix]

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)

Island Lake in the northern Sierra Nevada.

#nature photography #common merganser #water birds #wildlife photography #wildbirds

[mypubliclands]

#NewYearNewAdventures: Our favorite road trips/byways

We’re continuing to share some of the top spots on #yourpubliclands to start the New Year off right. Explore the outdoors with these road trips and byways this year to BLM-managed public lands.

Dalton Highway, Alaska

The Dalton Highway stretches 414 miles across northern Alaska from Livengood (84 miles north of Fairbanks) to Deadhorse and the oilfields of Prudhoe Bay. Built during construction of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline in the 1970s, this mostly gravel highway travels through rolling, forested hills, across the Yukon River and Arctic Circle, through the rugged Brooks Range, and over the North Slope to the Arctic Ocean. Along most of its length, you'll see no strip malls, no gift shops, no service stations, just forest, tundra, and mountains, crossed by a ribbon of road and pipe.The BLM manages a swath of public lands along the highway from the Yukon River to the north side of the Brooks Range. Within the Dalton corridor, the BLM maintains campgrounds, rest areas, interpretive panels and the award-winning Arctic Interagency Visitor Center in Coldfoot.This is no ordinary road -- it pays to be prepared. There is no cell phone service or public Internet connection along the Dalton Highway.

Route 66 Historic Backcountry Byway, Arizona

This 42-mile stretch of two-lane blacktop is one of the last and best-preserved segments of the original Route 66, one of America's first transcontinental highways. This portion of the highway once included one of the most fearsome obstacles for "flatland" travelers in the 1930's: the hairpin curves and steep grades of Sitgreaves Pass, which characterize Old Route 66 as it makes its way over the Black Mountains of western Arizona. 

Bodie Hills, California

Always on our #roadtrip #bucketlist! California’s Eastern Sierra region is a dramatic transition zone between the snow-capped granite spires of the Sierra Nevada and the endless sagebrush covered uplands of the Great Basin. A trip at the right time of year will reward visitors with a diversity of wildflowers.

One great wildflower viewing area is just north of Mono Lake and east of Yosemite National Park in the rolling Bodie Hills – hills being an understatement since they top out at over 10,000 feet! Because of their high elevation, wildflower blooms are later here than much of California – typically arriving in May-June on the lower slopes and into July on the highest peaks. Several back roads traverse the area and offer access to view the displays of phlox, penstemon and paintbrush to name a few of the many wildflower species. More than 100,000 acres of BLM lands cover most of the Bodie Hills and include several wilderness study areas.

Bodie State Historic Park is the best-preserved ghost town in California, and arguably in the United States. Wildlife viewers can see antelope, mule deer, and if lucky, get a glimpse of a sage grouse. If you visit later, around early October, crisp clear nights will turn the scattered aspen stands to gold, giving a second opportunity to see Bodie Hills in color.

Alpine Loop National Backcountry Byway, Colorado

A #roadtrip to the #AlpineLoop should be on your #bucketlist for 2018! Located northeast of Silverton, Colorado in San Juan and Hinsdale counties, the Alpine Loop Back Country Byway is a premiere visitor destination. The epic scenery draws off-highway-vehicle enthusiasts across the country who are treated with a network of roads that climb above the timberline, accessing unparalleled vistas in an alpine environment. The hiking, biking and camping in the area is also fantastic. Scattered along the Alpine loop are remnants of our nation’s frontier history, where visitors can learn about the bustling mining towns that once thrived here. 

While many roads are accessible by regular, two-wheel drive vehicles, getting into the alpine areas require high-clearance, four wheel drive vehicles. Plan your trip accordingly.

Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail, Virginia

Journey through early American history and walk in the footsteps of our nation’s founding fathers as you explore the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route. This National Historic Trail commemorates over 680 miles of land and water trails followed by the allied armies of General George Washington and the French Lieutenant General Comte Jean de Rochambeau. During their 1781 march from Newport, Rhode Island to Yorktown, Virginia, the French army established an encampment on what is now the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA). A segment of this trail connects with a BLM system of trails crossing the SRMA on the historic Mason Neck Peninsula, just a short drive from the nation’s capital. At Meadowood, the trail transects open meadows, enters into mature hardwood forests, and crosses riparian wetlands. While in the area, visit Gunston Hall, the home of Founding Father George Mason, a strong supporter of individual liberties and the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Many of the concepts in that document found embodiment in the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights.

Lewis and Clark Backcountry Byway, Idaho

The Lewis and Clark Backcountry Byway and Adventure Road is a 36-mile loop drive through a beautiful and historic landscape following the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Experience incredible views of the Lemhi Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges; truly some of the finest scenery in America!

The mountains, evergreen forests, high desert canyons and grassy foothills look much the same today as when the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through in 1805. Take a slow and meandering journey along this drive with time to stop along the way for hiking, fishing, mountain biking and exploration. With a 4,000 foot gain and loss in elevation, expect some steep grades too.

Lemhi Pass is well-known for its wildflower displays in the spring and summer. Captain Lewis collected three new plant species in this area: mountain maple, common snowberry and Lewis’s monkey flower. You might see elk, mule and whitetail deer, black bear, moose, pronghorn antelope, coyotes and many smaller mammal species. Early mornings and evenings are the times to look for wildlife, particularly where the forest and meadow meet.

By late September, shorter days and cooler temperatures release hues of red, yellow, and gold in aspens, cottonwoods, willows and shrubs. Don’t miss Agency Creek in October – it’s beautiful!  Download a visitor guide for your roadtrip from our website.

Big Sky Byway, Montana

The 105-mile Big Sky Back Country Byway begins in Terry, MT, and travels north and south covering badlands and rolling prairies. The byway ends in Wolf Point, MT, on the beautiful Missouri River, part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The route is part of the National Scenic Byways Program, linking Terry with Wolf Point. Taking 2 hours one way, you can stop to take a look at the information kiosks in Terry, Circle, and Wolf Point, which describe byway attributes, local history, and culture. Visitors can enjoy the scenic badlands of eastern Montana year round from this all-weather road.

Lunar Crater Backcountry Byway, Nevada

The scenic loop (the Lunar Crater Back Country Byway) passes by the crater with a stopping point near the crater where visitors can get out to view the impressive volcanic feature. Vehicles are limited to existing roads and trails.

Lake Valley Backcountry Byway, New Mexico

A meandering 48-mile drive on paved roads takes visitors through ranching and mining country and past the ruins of the 1880s mining town of Lake Valley. The Lake Valley Backcountry Byway is nestled between the Mimbres and Caballo Mountains and the Cooke's Range in southwestern New Mexico and offers spectacular scenic views. Rich in history and scenery, the Byway offers an outstanding trip for travelers with an hour to spare.

Steens Mountain, Oregon

How about this for a scenic byway: Glacier-carved gorges, pristine alpine lakes and wild and scenic rivers, all accessible via the highest elevation road in Oregon!

Come take a drive on the 52-mile-long Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway! There are four campgrounds along the byway for those wanting to stay a little bit longer in one of the most remote places in the U.S.!

Photo/video: https://goo.gl/VOkTFg

San Rafael Swell, Utah

Make the most of your road-trip to Moab or the Skyline Drive! Take the scenic route through the San Rafael Swell.  Emery County Road 332 is a gravel road that connects approximately 45 miles between Huntington, Utah to Interstate 70 in the heart of the San Rafael Swell. Enjoy the amazing desert scenery, stop at the wedge overlook for a view of the “Little Grand Canyon,” view the ancient rock art of the Buckhorn Draw Panel, and maybe even take a side trip to the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry. While there is primitive-style camping in the area, there are no other services. Come prepared with everything you need, and take home everything you bring. Flat tires are common.

Red Gulch/Alkali National Backcountry Byway, Wyoming

The Red Gulch/Alkali National Backcountry Byway is a 32-mile scenic drive on improved gravel and dirt roads through the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains. Near each of the two entrances to this historic route you will see a National Backcountry Byway kiosk which provides historical information about the byway as well as road conditions. The steep, rugged canyons cut into the mountains along the byway and offer many challenging and interesting hiking opportunities. Among the wondrous sights you may see are hoodoos. These strange, artistic rock formations were carved over the centuries by Wyoming’s wind.

#bureau of land management #explore #yourpubliclands #recreation #roadtrip #byway #outdoors #getoutdoors #outside #newyearnewadventures #newyear #2018 #solitude #nature #photography #wilderness #alaska #arizona #california #colorado #virginia #idaho #montana #nevada #newmexico #oregon #utah #wyoming

[stumblngrumbl]

our favorite quick camping trip is to island lake, the trail to which is about an hour's drive from home (including a very obnoxious dirt road - i take my truck because there are very large rocks embedded in the road that will take valuable bits out of the bottom of your car).

about an hour up the trail, you come to island lake, which surprise has an island in it. we take an inflatable kayak (not as light weight as it sounds) and ferry our packs over and camp on the small rocky island.

because it's a short hike, we kinda overdo it with the food... N filled up a growler on our way out of town, i got steaks... brought some pre-baked potatoes and a grill, cooked the steaks over a fire (zero fire danger on the island, there's a couple hundred feet of water to the closest shore of the lake, nothing burnable on the island (we brought wood from home)).

forgot butter, idk how. put a bunch of herb cheese in the potato instead - not quite the same but very good still.

#camping #island lake northern Sierra Nevada