I can’t remember visiting Santa Rosa without going out to the coast, and we weren’t going to let a little rain and clouds stop us this time, either. Jeff took us out to the coast via the Russian River, and we ended up walking a stretch of the coast I’ve never walked before.
Ideally I should have probably brought a different lens for scenics, but I was hoping to see birds, too, so I compromised with my 100-400mm Canon lens. Most of these shots were actually panorama shots consisting of 3 or more shots. I’m always amazed at how well Photoshop reconstructs these, especially when waves are involved.
It would have been nice if it had been a little sunnier, but, after living on the Washington coast for six month, I figure any day on the coast without rain is a great day. There’s definitely a reason one of my favorite Facebook groups is called “fogwalking.”
Not sure why arches like this are so appealing, but they are — perhaps they are doorways to magical kingdoms.
Most of the Washington coast is relatively flat — like Longbeach — so it’s a treat to see these kinds of headlands.
Heck, even the outhouse had a great view of the ocean,
and it’s not often that you get to look down on birds.
You were very close to one of the best hikes in all Sonoma County: the hike from Shell Beach (just south of Goat Rock where the Arch Rock photos were taken) up to Red Hill. It’s less than six miles, and a climb from sea level to about 800 feet. On a clear day, you’ll get a view up and down the coast and out to sea about 30 miles. If you’re in the area on s bright clear day and up for such a walk, let me know. I’d love to show you.
I suspect that was the hike that the school kids were doing the day we were there. If so, we took the southern part of the hike where I saw Kites, Vultures, Northern Harriers, Kestrel, and Red-Tail Hawks.
Not sure when we’ll be back but I would love to take you up on the offer if we get a chance.