McWay Cove in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park on the Big Sur Coast is one of the highlights of any trip down California’s Highway 1. The turquoise waters of this secluded lagoon combined with one of the only free falling waterfalls on the Pacific Coast make for a breathtaking scene. The cove, which is part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, is hidden from the highway but a short trail from the state park leads to spectacular views of the falls and surrounding coastline.

Contrary to popular belief lightning can strike the same place twice as shown in this timed exposure in the Ajo Mountains of Arizona. Although there are devices available for capturing lightning images, I find that composing a shot and then making a timed exposure of one to three minutes in sync with the rhythm of the strikes works just as well.

This image was made with a 300mm lens at a distance of about ten miles. While heading back from a day of shooting at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, I noticed the storm in the distance just after sunset and was surprised by the consistency of the strikes on the ridge. Shooting lightning can be dangerous (a tripod makes a good lightning rod!), but the conditions were perfect on this evening with clear skies above me and the long lens bringing the drama safely into view. The challenging part was actually framing the image in complete darkness using only the light from the strikes to compose. After opening the shutter, I watched and waited as mother nature created her elaborate light painting.

In honor of the first mountain stage in the Tour de France yesterday, I couldn’t resist sharing another image from the recent Tour of California. As the riders (many of whom are now in France) climbed the infamous Rock Store grade a fourth time and the spectators became increasingly more bizarre, the whole scene could easily have been mistaken for the Alps or Pyrenees in July.

To celebrate the soon to be released Yosemite quarter here’s a unique view of America’s 2nd national park. The appropriately named Mist Trail climbs a series of stone steps next to Vernal Falls and is a perfect way to cool off during the warm summer months in the Valley. A rainbow often forms at the base of the falls and the upper portion of the trail is actually carved into the cliff adjacent to the falls providing a spectacular view.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th. Here’s another image from the Freedom Trail in Boston where it all began. On April 18, 1775 two lanterns were hung in The Old North Church to inform Paul Revere before his famous midnight ride that the British were coming by sea and not by land.

The final stage of the Tour of California professional cycling race came through the nearby Santa Monica Mountains recently and provided a great opportunity for some dramatic shots of the world’s top cyclists. The four lap circuit on one of southern California’s steepest climbs was tough enough to slow the normally high-speed peloton and the fans lining the course created a spectacle like those in the Alps during the Tour de France.

Our summer print sale is going on now through July 30th! Take 25% off your entire order at checkout on all prints and gift items with code ‘SUMMERSIZZLE25′. Select an image from one of our galleries and click “Buy Print” for all the details. Includes our popular new canvas wraps and brilliant metallic prints.
             
                             

After running the Boston Marathon in April I hit the Freedom Trail to loosen up some sore muscles and get a good dose of American History. Here’s a still life from the old North Church where Paul Revere was given the signal at the start of the Revolutionary War that the British were coming by sea.

Summer will be here before we know it, so it’s time to start thinking about that quintessential American experience – the road trip. Could be a planned pilgrimage to a specific destination or just aimless wandering on Route 66 for a heavy dose of nostalgia. There are no set guidelines, but less is often more. Either way, it’s important to share the experience with a friend or two to help keep the journey alive long after it’s over.

It’s almost June and the Sierra Nevada is expecting another winter storm this week – amazing! Here’s a recent image of early morning light on Carson Peak above June Lake. This quiet eastern California hamlet could easily pass for the French Alps with views like this.