Photography by Naomi Drew
I still had my camera on bracketing when I started to do this panorama, and didn’t realize it until we had gotten back to the B&B. I’ve done some adjustments to make it look better. The fact is, it is not a great edit, but I am posting the picture because I think it shows the beauty of Montana de Oro State Park quite nicely – hills to the sea. See?
Besides Mr. Jolly Orange Feet, there are other wonders to be found at Montana de Oro State Park. We descended into a little cove onto a beach covered with sea detritus. Taking the time to look revealed all sorts of things, from 3 dead birds to sea shells to kelp bladders. The sand, pebbles, and rocks gave a beautiful background to it all.
I took a whole bunch of pictures of this guy. He is absolutely magnificent! The cepphus colomba is a member of the auk family, and lives in little dugouts in the cliffs along the California coast. How can you not fall in love?
The Bluff Trail along the coast in Montana de Oro State Park provides breathtaking views of the sea below, from hidden coves, to vast expanses of dramatic cliffs and rock formations.
Do you remember chasing butterflies when you were a kid? They were hard to catch then, and hard to do so with a camera.
Another view of the coastline at Montana de Oro State Park, near Morro Bay, California. Tide was heading out.
The Glass Aerie 