Sea Ranch

Sunset at Sea Ranch

Approximately ten miles south of the Mendocino County line in Sonoma County is the Sea Ranch enclave. Gray weathered buildings with angular architecture are arranged strategically across the landscape. This is a private community of vacation rentals and year round residences. Passes must be visible on vehicles or carried on your person, lest you be stopped.

The Writing Group with four footed friends

I was meeting my writing group for a weekend retreat where we could focus on our skills, give feedback and support each other without the trappings of daily life interrupting us. Cell service was limited or more exactly, service if you had Verizon or US Cellular, and no service if your carrier is AT&T.

Arriving late, I pulled off the highway into Sea Ranch and stopped to pull out my directions. Within a minute a young security officer pulled up to see what I was doing there. He was very kind and escorted me to my destination. I was impressed with the security.

The Deck

Sitting in the beautiful rental house with large picture windows, high ceilings, and a lovely deck complete with hot tub, I was at peace.  Winds kicked up in the afternoon and churned the surf, however our little slice of heaven was calm. Just a slight breeze on the deck.

Ocean View

Sea Ranch, like the rest of the Northern California coast is beautiful. When I wasn't writing, I was out with my cameras. I carried my Canon G9, Canon 40D and my handy cell phone.



You can drive to Sea Ranch on California Hwy 1. From the south take Hwy 101 north to Santa Rosa and cross over to the coast on River Road. Go north on Hwy 1 from Jenner.

From the north take Hwy 101 south to Willits and cross over to the coast on Hwy 20 to Ft. Bragg and go south on Hwy 1.

Morning light

Window view

Pink flowers

I would like to tell you the name of the flower, but I have no idea. Thought they were real pretty. I will update as soon as I find out.

Photo take with Canon EOS 40D in Mendocino. Exposure 1/500 s at f/2.8. Focal length 48mm.
ISO 125

Dry-dock

Dry-docked boat at Noyo Harbor.

This photo was taken with a Canon EOS 40D. Ft. Bragg, CA in Mendocino County. Exposure 1/160 s at f/5.6. ISO 125. Focal length 28 mm.

On the Eel

Sun-rays gently beating down
grasses swaying in the breeze
cool clear water
darting fish flashing rainbow colors
butterflies fluttering
bees buzzing
lizards doing push-ups on the rocks
all part of the experience of the Eel River









This photo was taken with a Canon EOS 40D north east of Willits, CA in Mendocino County. Exposure 1/200 s at f/10. ISO 100. Focal length 28 mm.

In the Mystic Woods

I walk, daydreaming as I go
Drinking in the mystic woods,
When to my surprise
She appears before me
sitting by a pool,
unaware of my approach.

I stop, excitement swelling in my chest
not daring to breath,
Real, or a figment of my imagination?
I am afraid to blink
lest she disappear.

Safety at the Carnival

Ring of Fire, assembled by a master mechanic.

The carnival run by family company Johnston Amusements arrives every year like clockwork the week preceding the rodeo. Like modern day gypsies, the carnies move from town to town six months out of the year, setting up and taking down enormous rides with skill. Gordon Johnston proudly asserts that his company has the safest record in California, eight years without an incident. I believe this, for I have watched and documented his workers for the past two years transform misc. parts into magnificent rides rising above the trees. To watch, you have to have a lot of time and patience. Hurry up and wait sums up the experience. Like a giant transformer emerging from a sleep, each piece is unfolded from its cramped position, workers inspect and grease every joint and movable part. Smaller parts are unpacked, inspected and attached to the ride.

I have never seen people who work as hard as the carnies do. One young man told me, I make a decent paycheck, and I have a job in this economy.

Johnston Amusements will return to Mendocino County in the fall at the Mendocino County Fair in Booneville.

Photo taken with a Canon EOS 40D.

Special Effect

Swirling lights and long exposure. I wanted all of the rides to be going at once. While waiting for a ride to get going, the first one stops to let riders on or off. It is like a juggling act. So, to combat boredom while waiting, I decided to play with the zoom ring during exposure. Emboldened by my first clumsy attempts, I kept playing with the shutter speed and degree in which I turned the zoom ring. It took many attempts. I was happy with this one. I never did get all the rides going at once.

When taking long exposure shots, make sure you have a very steady tripod.
This photo was taken with a Canon EOS 40D on a tripod. Exposure 6.0 s at f/22. ISO 100. Focal length 16mm.

Willits Frontier Days part 4, Carnival

Ferris Wheel

"Round and round and up and down" said my young friend as we slowly rose into the air on the ferris wheel. Fourth of July in Willits is not complete without a visit to the carnival. The bright lights are a photographers delight.


This photo was taken with a Canon EOS 40D on a tripod, Exposure 0.3 s at f/5. ISO 100. focal length 82mm.