Monday, March 14, 2011

While we're on the ocean...


contemplating its beauty and its power, my mind keeps returning to a photograph I took last week: a serene display of the channel with Santa Cruz Island in the distance.

When I first moved to Santa Barbara over thirty years ago, I had fallen in love with the mountain range behind us and the tall palms that flank the ocean in Chase Palm Park. But I had never seen the islands and wasn't aware of them. They are often completely obscured by fog and haze. On my first morning of awakening in my new apartment, I looked out the window to a sight something like this photograph. My jaw dropped and though I was alone, I spoke out loud, "Oh, my gosh! This can't be real!"

Last week, as I drove across the foothills on Alameda Padre Serra, I caught sight of this view with the aloe blooming in the foreground. I had to turn around, find a place to park and try to capture the image.

4 comments:

  1. Hello Anitra-

    Yet another beautiful picture. I think of something similar when I can see Catalina Island on a clear day. After the last major rain we had a few weeks ago, I went to this Starbucks down at the end of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and from there I can sit and look out at the ocean, and on this particular day there was an absolutely crystal clear view of Catalina. I don't think I've ever seen it as clear as I did that day. It also reminds me of my trip to the Big Island of Hawaii this past summer when I was driving along the north shore of the island and had this crystal clear view of Maui. It was awe-inspiring. Your pictures evoke many happy thoughts Anitra, thank you.

    Regards-

    Joseph (JH)

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  2. Yes, seeing Catalina would be quite similar. They are both Channel Islands and 25 miles off shore. Seeing the surrounding islands in Hawaii is truly remarkable and breathtaking. I'm so glad that my photos evoke positive feelings and memories.

    Thanks so much for sharing them Joseph. :)

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  3. Anitra,

    As I gaze at this picture, I can only imagine being there. I'm sure each time you're able to see Santa Cruz Island,it brings back those memories of that first time you saw that picturesque view.

    Jonathan

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  4. When they're surprisingly clear, yes :)

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