We took a drive today down to the south side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Verna took a lot of pictures and I took a few, including this panoramic seascape. Catalina island can be perceived through the sea mist kicked up by blustery winds. Click the image for the full panoramic view.
Lately, we’ve found ourselves dropping in to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. We were shopping today and decided to stop and try to spot some migrating whales. We didn’t see any whales, but there were pelicans swooping past the cliffs and the waves and color of the ocean were very nice. At one point, we posed for this photo.
Monday, we had some errands to run, but took the time to drive to Point Vicente via Del Cerro Park on the Palos Verdes peninsula. The scenic views from both places on this exceptional day were breathtaking! After enjoying nearly unlimited visibility and vistas of Santa Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands from the park, we stopped on Crest Road and looked out over the city. We could see the Hollywood Hills and the San Gabriel Mountains across the L.A. Basin. Verna took this image looking directly north from Crest Road.
Next, we drove to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. From the west pathway, you can always enjoy overlooking the ocean, but seldom see the Malibu Mountains as clearly. The swells were in pretty good shape as well, sending foam into the air as wave after wave crashed into the rocks along the coastline.
As always, Verna takes lots of pictures. Many of the shots she took yesterday were of the Point Vicente Lighthouse. This day, however, the Image of Catalina Island can be seen crisply in the background. A weak marine haze is still there, but at very low density. The lighthouse is managed by the U.S. Coast Guard. On station with the lighthouse, there is a foghorn; it was funny that they were sounding it when the visibility was over fifty miles. Every minute or so, the horn would sound a two or three second blast.
Standing on the pathway near the lighthouse, you can look back toward the visitor center where whale watchers look out to see the Pacific Grey Whales as they migrate; the whales range between Baja California in Mexico all the way north to the subarctic seas near Alaska. The whales only have two natural enemies: Orca (Killer Whales) and men.
You can click on any of the images above to see full-sized in the image viewer.
We enjoyed the beautiful scenery on a nice, balmy winter day on the peninsula. But, as always, Verna warns that before the viewers of these beautiful images decide to head to California, they should keep this in mind – we’re long, long overdue for the next major seismic event.
This aerial photo of the Isthmus of Santa Catalina Island shows Catalina Harbor and Isthmus Harbor – each within walking distance of the other. This year when we take our annual trek to the Island, we plan to visit Two Harbors, either by inland tour or an evening boat cruise.
Click on the image for a larger view.
We don’t know how this isolated cove on the west side of Palos Verdes got it’s name, but it seems to be a favorite for scuba diving and snorkelers.
According to Franco’s Divers Maps, the cove has these highlights:
Divers enter Christmas Tree Cove via a steep dirt path at 2800 Paseo Del Mar. The underwater features mini walls and kelp, and usually the best visibility around the PV Peninsula. This is a popular game fish area, although it also features garibaldi, opaleye, treefish, and colorful bluebanded gobi. Invertebrates include: Sponges, anemones, keyhole limpets, Spanish shawls, chestnut cowries, and octopi. Good snorkeling throughout.
You can’t see any of that from the cliffs above, but you can get great views of the cove itself and the birds that inhabit the rocky coastal islets just offshore (you will need binoculars or a telephoto camera lens). Click on the image above for a 1024×768 pixel view.
This picture that Verna took several weeks ago has been sitting in the picture queue since then. It’s time that we posted it here.
The picture was taken on one of those windy days where the sea was choppy and the waves were big. Notice the green translucent water in the curl of this wave. Very nice.
