View allAll Photos Tagged sunsetcliffs
People gather along Sunset Cliffs in San Diego every clear evening to watch the sun set and soak in the energy of the ocean as it crashes into the coastal bluffs.
As beautiful as this place is, it can be quite dangerous as well. The bluffs are actively eroding under the constant assault by the Pacific Ocean. Bluffs have collapsed and people have been injured and killed by ignoring the posted warnings.
Nonetheless, the spectacle of a coastal sunset is too hard for many, including this photographer, to resist.
If you look closely, the last bit of sun is peeking above the horizon, through the marine layer in the distance.
The shallow waters over the rocky shoals create interesting wave patterns and textures here. The last stragglers of surfers are hanging on until last light, though one can be seen on the far left, paddling off from the crowd.
The ocean's waves, not exactly pounding, drown out (unintended pun) all other sounds here, and the breezes pick up as the cooler air, no longer heated by direct sunlight begins to move in. There is a certain balance in a Pacific sunset that can only be shown visually or experienced firsthand, words are inadequate.
Surfers catching the last waves and rays along the coast at Sunset Cliffs.
Although the location seems remote, it's a mere 5-miles from downtown San Diego, with approximately 50,000 people living in Point Loma, alone.
As shown here, the erosion of the cliffs is a constant concern. The area is unstable with multiple deaths and serious injuries each year. But, the allure of the idyllic sunsets, white sand beaches below, and decent surf breaks, keeps bringing people back.
When you visit San Diego, be alert, don't allow distractions to get the better of you, and take in one of our glorious Pacific sunsets.
A small vessel passes in front of the setting sun. I like this image, in particular, because of the mock-mirage of the sun. This occurs when a layer of cooler air is trapped below an inversion layer, creating the appearance of a sun that is no longer round.
As the surfers head into shore for the final time of the evening a line of birds flies along the coastline, probably performing a compass check with the sunset.
This was a magnificent early Spring evening along the Southern California coast after a winter that was wetter and colder than normal, and before a very hazy Spring took hold.
I wish I could have caught these birds as they headed toward me; but, alas, I didn't see them until they were directly in front.
Point Loma is a beautiful coastline, and like all SoCal beaches has numerous surfers, but Sunset Cliffs is not a big wave area.
I am a recent Californian with no real surf experience, so I am not sure what draws large groups of people to sit on their boards in the cold waters of the Pacific Coast for hours one end, despite there being little opportunity to ride the waves.
There are other beaches and surf spots nearby (Ocean Beach, La Jolla, and Ralph's on the east side of the Point Loma tip) that are more notable for their big waves, and overall more favorable surf conditions. That said, it's hard to argue with wanting to take in the atmosphere around the coast, and these big bluffs, especially during the golden hour.
The final image of an evening on Sunset Cliffs near the campus of Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California.
The cliffs and bluffs are eroding rapidly this year as a result of the increased rain and intemperate weather associated with El Niño The paths to the beach below the cliffs are unstable and hazardous, but like most other local people, we took the chance and had a positive outcome.
This was apparently a common pigeon, Columba livia, which bird originated in the old world, but is widely established in cities and towns in North America, and elsewhere. It let me get rather close.
Isn't God a great artist? Thank you for looking.
stitched two shots to add a little more cliff on the left. here's the single 20mm frame for reference:
www.tmphillips.com/pg/upload/2017/02/07/20170207013534-4d...
When we arrived at Sunset Cliffs, there were a couple dozen surfers in the water, despite there being very little wave height in the open (away from the rocks along the shore). It was a breezy evening, and somewhat brisk, owing to only being late April.
In truth, I had little hope for good imagery on this evening as the humidity hanging around San Diego in this El Niño year, kept the marine layer close to shore all through winter and early spring. The locals then are well aware that May Gray is close at hand only to be followed by June Gloom, during which most of the coastal region of San Diego county sees little sun and cool temperatures each year because of the persistent marine layer.
This, then, was a blessing of clear skies and moderately warm temperatures.
Surf coming in, from the Pacific. Rocks at Sunset Cliffs, San Diego, San Diego County, USA. Eventually, the Pacific will win this conflict. There were more birds, but I only got one this time.
Thanks for looking! Isn't God a great artist?
Spray from a wave hitting a rock formation, in the Sunset Cliffs area of San Diego, California. As you can see, there are little pools of water on the rock. Given enough time, the ocean will erode this rock completely away.
Isn't God a great artist? Thanks for looking.
This is a composite of 101 shots. 100 10-second exposures were combined to create the long exposure for the water and the rocks using Sony's Smooth Reflection app. I left the camera on the tripod and walked out with Lars to get a shot of us after the LE was complete.
Taken in the Sunset Cliffs area of San Diego, California, USA. The photo posted yesterday, of a bee on sea lavender flowers, was taken a few steps from where this one was.
That's the Pacific Ocean out there, with a couple of boats.
Thanks for looking! Isn't God a great artist?
8 gulls, apparently from more than one species, but all facing the same way, standing around on Sunset Cliffs, next to the Pacific Ocean. Some of them are standing on one leg.
Thanks for looking! Isn't God a great artist?
Nothing in this life is a "black or white" question. There are thousands of greys in between and if we try to learn to distinguish the most we can, we'll be able to be more empathic with all our brothers and sisters beyond our origins and beliefs
On a recent overcast day I took a walk along the cliffs with my dog. I turned back at one point to see this view of the tunnel that I have never noticed before. I have walked out on that rock many times without ever knowing that I was stepping on a thin rock with ocean below!
This panoramic image was created by stitching 4 shots in Lightroom.