07 July 2014
Lens:

1. Marin Headlands, California, iPhone 4s; Copyright © 2014 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved/Lens and Pens by Sally

2. Tunnel to Point Bonita Lighthouse, Marin Headlands, California, iPhone 4s; Copyright © 2014 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved/ Lens and Pens by Sally

3. Point Bonita Lighthouse, Marin Headlands, California, iPhone 4s; Copyright © 2014 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved/ Lens and Pens by Sally

4. Crashing Waves, Marin Headlands, California, iPhone 4s; Copyright © 2014 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved/ Lens and Pens by Sally
Let me know which you prefer and why.
Pens: Mother Nature has been my muse for longer than I have given her deeply-committed thought. As years add to my experiences, a rising level of emotion accompanies never-seen-by-me natural wonders as well as local wildlife. Nature is never taken for granted.
These encounters can be as small as a baby praying mantis or as mammoth as California’s Marin Headlands. Size really doesn’t matter.
A place, which exhibits grandeur, quickly catches people’s attention: Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Mt. Everest, Great Barrier Reef… And so it was that my dear friend and I spent half a day exploring the expansive Marin Headlands at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in Northern California.
As though Mother nature was challenging our commitment, we arrived on a gray, overcast late morning. Surprisingly, the subtle colors seemed bolder than they should have been. The nearly monochrome panorama made the spectacle even more pronounced, demonstrating how visual acuity plays with our mind’s interpretations. Then the sun appeared.
Two years ago I stood at another vantage point on the Headlands to gaze at the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay, which was spectacular. This new location at Point Bonita is broader, wider and more inclusive, because it is situated at the tip of the jutting cliffs. It’s bordered by massive rock formations, large swaths of green space and vistas of the bay. Various views from the Point kept us occupied for hours.
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which is the largest U.S. urban park, maintains the Point Bonita Lighthouse. We walked the half-mile trail and through a tunnel to reach the foot bridge that guards the lighthouse. That description may seem strange, but that’s how it felt.

5. Tunnel Leading to the Point Bonita Lighthouse, Marin Headlands, California, Nikon DSLR; Copyright © 2014 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved/Lens and Pens by Sally
This familiar yet unassuming structure has been guiding ships for over 150 years. We were not surprised to share the trail with ample visitors. Even with rolling clouds the scenery was so enthralling that we lingered and lingered. We had been there so long that we neglected our picnic lunch.
Waves performed, pelicans graced the skyline, patterns appeared on rocks, wildflowers glowed in mid light, cliffs stood eloquently, visitors gazed in awe, park rangers answered queries, and winds moved across the surface of the water to force waves into action.
As satiated as I was on the walk back, the next sighting raised my emotional responses enormously. Below in the bay 120 harbor seals were sleeping on sandy banks and sunning on water-drenched rocks, which encouraged my cup to overflow its rim.

6. Cliff Surface, Point Bonita Lighthouse, California, Nikon DSLR; Copyright © 2014 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved/Lens and Pens by Sally
From this spot the Golden Gate Bridge was entirely visible. Its signature orange seemed content with the day’s slightly turquoise cast on the bay.
The panorama is so classic that I felt we were posing for a postcard to be sent to family and friends. I could sense the excitement that forced San Francisco’s population to rise from 900 to 20,000 (National Park Service brochure) during the Gold Rush. Most of the 49ers came through the Golden Gate.
When you are devoted to Mother Nature as I am, it’s relatively easy to have your heartstrings pluck melodic music during such excursions. Instantly, I became completely immersed in the visual, the history, the moment, the place. Everywhere the wild seemed to be appreciated.
The day was pure harmony and secured multiple vistas in my treasure trove of memories. To be sure nature’s natural history continues to write a remarkably stellar story.
Tip of the Week: I’m always on the alert for articles about the environment. On Earth Day (22 April) of this year The New York Times announced the PBS viewing of the documentary, “American Masters: A Fierce Green Fire.” The film covers five topics: conservation, pollution, alternatives, going global, and climate change. It’s based on the 1993 book published by The Times’ environmental reporter Philip Shabecoff. This film covers 50 years of the environmental movement and social justice. Robert Redford and Meryl Streep are included as advocates for the movement. To view a trailer (time-2:30) about the documentary, click here.
“A sweeping history of the environmental movement, ‘A Fierce Green Fire’ is both a cautionary tale and a triumphant one.” —The Washington Post, 2014
From a 2014 review in Publisher’s Weekly: “Shabecoff concludes that an ecologically sound society can also be economically sound.”
View other entries for today’s challenge:
http://talesfromthebackroad.com/phoneography-photo-challenge-nature/
http://completelydisappear.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/four/
http://angelinem.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/phoneography-challenge-the-art-and-zen-of-nature/
http://streetsofsfphotos.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/nature-sees/
http://nocrybabies.net/2014/07/07/monday-nature/
http://piecesofstarlight.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/phoneography-a-wild-and-wonderous-garden/
http://decocraftsdigicrafts.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/3504/
http://nwframeofmind.com/2014/07/07/iphoneography-monday-7-7-14/
http://uniqueartchic.com/2014/07/08/rose-art/
http://neomanu.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/phoneography-monday-the-sea-urchin/
http://zimmerbitch.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/when-still-images-dont-quite-paint-the-picture/
http://allkindsaeverything.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/phoneography-and-non-slr-challenge-nature-3/
Note:
If you’d like to join the Photo Challenge, please click here for details. If you have any questions, please contact me. Below is a reminder of the monthly schedule with themes for upcoming Photo Challenges:
1st Monday: Nature.
2nd Monday: Macro.
3rd Monday: Black and White.
4th Monday Challenger’s Choice (Pick One: Abstraction, Animals, Architecture, Food Photography, Night Photography, Objects, Portraiture, Still Life, Street Photography, and Travel).
5th Monday: Editing and Processing with Various Apps Using Themes from the Fourth Week.
Numbers 1 and 3 for me please! The call of the water 🙂 I love rocks and foam and that first shot’s a beauty but the more stark look of the lighthouse appeals too, Sally. Many thanks for your visit. As ever, I’m wishing I had more time.
Thank you for your comment and visit.
The one that looks like a cave… just because you don’t know what’s on the other side. So very cool.
I really like your interpretation. Thank so much.
Always great photos. Thanks for sharing
My pleasure–thank you for your comment and visit.
Just last Spring, I was swept away by how beautiful the ocean view of Marin county was. Today, I get to revisit it through your post just in time when things are getting a bit too quiet as my two Summer buddies had to go ahead of me in the Philippines. Stunning images! Have a great week.
Delighted that I could spark treasured memories. Thanks.
Lovely photos, Sally. Nos. 2 and 3 are my favorites. I just find them very intriguing! Here is my contribution for this week: http://livingwithmyancestors.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/phoneography-and-non-slr-digital-devices-photo-challenge-nature-and-look-up-look-down-challenge-week-47/
Linda, delighted that you enjoyed them. See you soon. Thanks so much.
UWOOH!! FANTASTIC PICTURES. I especially like the first two. Thank you very much for the beauty. Mari
Mari, that’s lovely. Thanks so much.
Love the 3rd one-black and white again! Here’s mine for this week. http://allkindsaeverything.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/phoneography-and-non-slr-challenge-nature-3/
Livvy, thanks so much.
These are great images Sally; I especially like the final shot. The colours are so vivid. I’m experimenting with something a bit different this week http://zimmerbitch.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/when-still-images-dont-quite-paint-the-picture/
Thanks so much.
Gorgeous Sally! I especially like the lighthouse and the last photo. They are all brilliant! 🙂 I would love to explore more of northern California someday preferably when my kids are a little older and ready to hike. 🙂
Nicole, Northern California holds a perfect blend of American culture and history. But the natural wonders are at the apex of its treasures. Thanks so much.
I really want to do a long road trip up the coast of CA with my family someday and stop at all the lovely parks as well. I have to wait until they are good hikers! That is a dream vacation for me.
Nicole, start planning soon. There is so much to love in that region of our country. The entire state is a true gift.
Theres something special about that tunnel shot for me, but all are great shots as ever. Here is my entry for this week. http://uniqueartchic.com/2014/07/08/rose-art/
Amanda, thanks so much.
Each photograph has something unique to depict. Loved all. Your write up is very informative and good.
Indira, I appreciate your comment. Thanks so much.
My favourite, today, has to be number 5.
I appreciate your comment and visit. See you soon.
What a beautiful afternoon, Sally. I would have forgotten about my picnic lunch too. 🙂 #1 and #3 are my favorites because they really capture the sensations of standing on the cliffs and the roar of the surf below.
Lisa, I hope that your family and you can take the journey down the coast and see this spectacular treasure. Thanks so much.
aloha Sally
my continued distance from usual resources has made it a challenge to link back to your post. however I did manage to post a response for today:
Post Title: A Chickadee Call
Haibun Title: Returning Clarity
http://wp.me/pSBwA-1NZ
unfortunately I will be limited with comments and replies this time around as well. it is however, still fun to play. thank you for hosting. aloha rick
Rick, delighted that you could participate.
I like the picture of tunnel best with its mysterious light and hidden questions.
Thanks my dear friend.
I like both the abstract and the mysterious ‘where does this lead’ qualities of 2 and 5.
I think 2 has the edge for me because that glimpse of an ‘outside’ at the end of the tunnel shows more clearly that it does indeed lead somewhere, without revealing where.
Lovely to hear from you. Thanks.
They are all great photos. Such and interesting place with so much history. 😀
Yes, it is a national treasure. See you soon. Thanks.
I like the second and third images especially, but I also liked your words on your thoughts about your relationship to nature 🙂
I appreciate your thoughtful comment.
My favorite kind of photography besides black and white
http://nocrybabies.net/2014/07/07/monday-nature/
Sarah, thanks for your comment and visit.
As usual, I like all the photos. Thanks for the tip of the week, too!
P.S. I think our environment is always inspiring, in many ways. 🙂
Indeed, do you get to stroll through Central Park, where there is great inspiration? See you soon.
It’s my pleasure. Thank so much.
Wonderful shadows. I like the monochrome contrasts and the rock texture- all are beautiful!!
Leanne did a marvelous job of paying tribute to your work. I appreciate your comment and visit. See you soon. Thanks so much.
Marine Headlands is by far my husband’s favorite place on the planet!!! He takes everyone who comes to visit there. You have captured its grandeur and the mystery. I will choose the first photo for the processing that makes it appear to be an old post card, as well as, its dept of field .
Happy Photo Monday!
Carol, delighted to bring you my impressions of this fabulous natural wonder. That first image is the original with slight editing. I think that the low light and grayer day gave it that patina. Thanks so much.
A wonderful gallery Sally. I love the textures in no.4. They look even more stunning when enlarged.
Madhu, I appreciate your comment and visit. See you soon. Thanks so much.
I love the second and thirds shots, and very much like #5 for its drama.
My entry for today: http://angelinem.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/phoneography-challenge-the-art-and-zen-of-nature/
Angeline, have you been to the lighthouse? It’s worth the trip. See you soon. Thanks so much.
No, I haven’t been to the lighthouse, and I will soon have to correct that.
Please do. You’ll be inspired by Mother Nature’s expansive interaction with human nature.
Very cool, Sally! Especially the third one. I also like the rocks and the water waves you captured on the last one. Here is mine: http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/phoneography-and-non-slr-digital-devices-photo-challenge-nature-2/
Amy, thanks so much.
No. 2 and 3 are my favourite ones because of the contrast between light and darks in the photos.
Thanks so much.
I like the first picture very much because it looks like a painting that I have and like. But my favorite would be the third one 🙂
Niki, lovely to hear from you. Thanks so much.
I love all of those, but #1 the is the best. I miss the ocean and that was a nice overall shot. My contribution for this week. http://talesfromthebackroad.com/phoneography-photo-challenge-nature/
Mary, thanks so much.
I like the natural beauty of the first and the shot of the lighthouse. Nature is simply bursting with beauty; we have only to take the time to look, observe and absorb.
janet
Janet, well said. Thanks so much.
I really like the third picture. What captured immediately my attention was the strong contrast of colours between water and earth, which also reflects the opposition of the still mass to the moving one. Great shot! Thanks for sharing
I appreciate your comment and visit. Thanks.