Point Reyes National Seashore Ship Wreck

Point Reyes National Seashore Ship Wreck

by Bessie Young

My eyes were stinging and it was pitch dark outside. I laid in bed wondering... should I, or shouldn't I.... will it even be worth it? I rolled over, turned on the light by my bed to help me wake up a little... and then I laughed. Will it be worth it, come on Bessie Please! Of Course it will be worth it! Jumping out of bed, I rushed to gather all my things from the hotel in order to get on the road and head out to my location of choice, the ship wreck out at Point Reyes National Seashore.

As I walked outside I looked up and the stars were still out nice and bright. First things first, coffee! It was about 5 in the morning in December which meant cold cold cold. I wasn't really expecting below freezing though. After I got my coffee and headed out to Point Reyes I noticed the degree, 29! What? 29 in the Bay Area of California? I was beyond excited that I pack like a girl scout and I had by down jacket with me :) . Yes, I even try to carry the kitchen sink ;) .

The drive took about an hour from Mill Valley, California. This state still amazes me with the diversity. In 3 hours you can be at pretty much any landscape you want... desert, mountains, or ocean. It is fantastic!

Getting to my spot of choice, there was still barely any light which was perfect. It gave me just enough time to scope out my location and find a place to set up. The pictures turned out phenomenal. I am a little obsessed with the sun rays coming over the bay, the ducks, and the little building all lit up in the background. Right now that one is my favorite.

Let me know which one is your favorite by commenting below!

This is an absolutely beautiful place to go, and if you haven't ever been, you should schedule something soon. The ship wreck is amazing, put the entire Point Reyes National Park is absolutely beautiful. Now keep in mind:

  1. There is no good way to get there
  2. There is no gas in the area
  3. Cell phone reception is sketchy at best.

I hope you all enjoyed this post. Don't forget to comment and subscribe.

Wishing you nothing but amazing adventures,

Bessie

 

Hey Photogs! Wondering about the kit I used? Check it out here:

Kit Used:


Sony A7Rii: http://amzn.to/1taGpAu
Sony 16-35mm lens: http://amzn.to/1UBjBDW
Canon 100-400mm f4: http://amzn.to/28TA55m
Sigma MC11 Adapter: http://amzn.to/28TjmRR
Vanguard Tripod: http://amzn.to/2aoI5ku

Filming:
LG G3 Smart Phone

Editing & Processing:
Adobe Lightroom: http://amzn.to/1WB7Jnc
Adobe Photoshop : http://amzn.to/1WB7YPh
Viva Video Pro for combining videos

 

 

Perseid Meteor Shower

Perseid Meteor Shower

Millerton Lake Fresno | August 2016 Adventure

 

“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground. Theodore Roosevelt”

An all too familiar tune was sounding in the far distance. I rolled over and rubbed my eyes, picked up my phone to see the the time.... 12:30am... my alarm going off nice and loud. Turning it off I rolled over on my back, rubbing my stinging eyes, and then Boom it hit me... the meteor shower! It is time to head out and enjoy the yearly meteor shower, not to mention get some amazing photos :)  I had originally planned to pull an all nighter, but why do that when you can get a few hours of shut eye and still enjoy the natural occurrence?

Perseid Meteor Shower by Bessie Young Photography

All my things were already loaded in the car. All I had to do was walk outside and drive to my planned spot at the North side of Millerton lake!

The annual meteor shower hit its peak during the morning of Friday, August 12th. Each and every year, during August, the Earth passes through a trail of debris left by the comet Swift Tuttle. When this happens the event is called the Perseid Meteor Shower. This year it was predicted that at the height of the Meteor Shower there could be a soar of 200 meteors per hour during perfect conditions. Perfect conditions being clear skies, no artificial light, and a new moon. This year the moon is about half and sets around 1am which is the perfect time to go out and watch the show.

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves. William Shakespeare”
Perseid Meteor Shower by Bessie Young Photography

 

Why should you make the effort to watch the Perseid meteor shower?

  1. To unplug
  2. Enjoy nature
  3. Enjoy solitude and reconnect with yourself
  4. Get inspired
  5. Be awestruck by God's creations
  6. Realize how small we really are in this massive world

How to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower:

  1. Plan to head outside before the August 24th
  2. Get away from any artificial light
  3. Plan out your spot and find an open sky
  4. Be ready to stay up late (past midnight)
  5. Look to the northern sky
  6. Bring a blanket , comfy chair, and some hot cocoa
  7. Don't forget about snacks and bug spray :)
  8. Enjoy the show!

 

It took alot of planning and quite a bit of effort but I made it! I was able to get some great photos and enjoy the show! Did you head out to see the meteor shower? Leave a comment below and let me know about your trip. Also, if you have any questions or just want to chat about my photography or my experience leave a comment. I would love to talk to you :)

 

Wishing you lots nothing but great adventures!

 

Bessie

 

P.S. for you photogs out there here is a list of the equipment I used:

Camera - Sony A7Rii

Lens - Sony 16-35mm f4

Tripod - Vanguard

Editing - Lightroom and Photoshop

All video was taken with my phone.

 

Prairie Creek Redwood State Park

 

Prairie Creek Redwood State Park

Northern California

by Bessie Young

The Northern California coast is one of my absolute favorite places to visit during the Summer. The weather is amazing, the people are kind, and the views are spectacular.  Each and every year my family and I head north for a summer camping trip. We venture up to Northern California to get away from the heat, go camping, and enjoy the outdoors with great company!

As you drive to the Northern California coast you want to make sure to take HWY 20 if you are coming from Central California as this is a quick route and you won't hit any traffic. The last good place to fill up is Williams and then after that the next best spot is Willits. Now if you have never been North along Hwy 101 you need to know that it is desolate. There are few towns and even fewer gas stations so make sure you plan accordingly.

When I head north there are 3 things that I have in mind to see. The first is the gorgeous redwoods and various hiking trails. The second is the Ocean. The third are the Roosevelt Elk! Each and every year these scenes never get old. They are absolutely amazing and it is so wonderful when we get lucky enough to see the Elk.

If you ever get a chance to hike the California Redwoods you need to do it! The trails go from the redwoods all the way to the ocean. Most of these trails are easy to moderate hiking depending on the trail you decide to take. Typically, I venture to the scenic route along Hwy 101, the Newton Drury Scenic Pkwy, and begin my wandering. This area is called the Prairie Creek Redwood State Park.  If you are planning on making it to the ocean make sure you start your venture off of the scenic route on Hwy 101 and use the trails on the West side of the road. These trails head West to the ocean. Here is a map of the park.

Other fun things to do while near this area:

 

Gear used for photos:

I would absolutely love to talk to you about my trip, photography, or anything. Leave a comment below!

Wishing you nothing but happiness and fun adventures!

Bessie

Summer Solstice | Strawberry Moon

Summer Solstice | Strawberry Moon

June 20th, 2016

By Bessie Young

“It is Summer, it is the solstice the crowd is cheering, the crowd is laughing in detail
permanently, seriously without thought. - William Carlos Williams”

I was one of the lucky ones....

Ding... my phone went off. Ding, ding... again. Ding, ding, ding.... again and again. I found myself in San Francisco on June 20th. My goal was to get pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset, but for some reason people kept texting me! As I stepped away from my camera and looked down at my phone to see what was going on I found that I had a few texts from different people. The first message 'hey girl! camping this Sunday?' ... the second message 'hello? what are you doing?' ..... the third message 'Heads up!!! There's a once in a generation event happening tonight! The strawberry moon! Summer solstice coinciding with a full moon!' .... the fourth message 'it's supposed to be the strawberry moon tonight just fyi'....

Umm what!!!! Yes, that got my attention in the matter of seconds. "once in a generation event"!! So of course I had to get my google foo on to research this so called strawberry moon. It just so happened that I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time! Talk about amazing! I was one of the lucky ones. One of the people that actually witnessed this event happening. I was even luckier as I just so happen to have all my photography gear in order to capture this amazing event! Wow, just wow!

So, what is this once in a generation thing that I am talking about? The summer Solstice and the Full moon occurring on the same day. The full moon rose on the same day as the June solstice for the very first time since 1948, and I got to photograph it!!

According the the farmers almanac:

““For the first time in nearly 70 years, the Full Moon and Summer Solstice coincide on the same day. This full Moon rises just as the Sun sets. The moment of full Moon is early Monday morning, 20 June. So it will look equally full on Sunday night and Monday night. You get two chances to enjoy the Solstice” strawberry moon!”

Read the full article here:

http://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-summer-2016-summer-solstice

Learn more about the summer solstice and full moon occurrence from the National Geographic site here

or from the Treehugger site here

Gear used:

Camera - Sony A7Rii

Lens - Canon 100-400mm f4

Lens - Sony 16-35mm f4

Tripod

LG G3 phone for Remote to my camera

Wishing you nothing but great adventures and beautiful days!

Bessie

Yosemite Firefalls - El Capitan Horsetail Falls

Yosemite Firefalls - El Capitan Horsetail Falls

The sun setting, the temperature dropping, and the hope that the weather cooperates. People talking about where they are from and some giving their life stories. Other share in their camera settings and how to get 'the shot'. Each learning something from one another. Then the colors start to change... Silence...

Yosemite Firefalls - El Capitan Horsetail Falls by Bessie Young Photography

One person cheers, another claps, and then the entire valley floor roars with hooping and hollering for the beauty that nature is providing us. The sun continues to set, colors change yet again, everyone still in utter awe over the natural phenomena. The colors begin to fade, and everyone breaths yet again. Amazed at what they just saw and realizing that they made it. They saw it. They came and saw something that most people couldn't even dream of seeing. Yosemite Firefalls - El Capitan Horsetail Falls.

It is absolutely astonishing how nature can bring people together. Hundreds of people gathered around with a hope to see the Firefalls.

People begin to say their goodbyes to others they never met until this night. Nature bringing people together. It didn't matter their political views, opinions, age, or status. It only mattered that each and every person there had one thing in common... their true love for nature. As you sat there watching the colors change the entire world went away. Worries were gone, everyone connected, and the thought of hope could be found in each and everyone's eyes.

John Muir was more than right: 'In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.'

If you ever get a chance to experience the Firefalls, don't hesitate! Don't think! Just do. Realize that we only live once and that as long as we actually LIVE it that once is enough. Experience Life.

Image is available for sale in my shop just click here.

Details about Yosemite Firefalls natural occurrence:

When: Middle to Late February

Where: Horsetail Falls also known as El Capitan falls in Yosemite National Park

How: The phenomenon appears when the angle of the setting sun hits the waterfall. If conditions are not perfect then the fall will not glow. What is needed:

  1. Has to be February at sunset. This year the the orange showed up at 5:40pm.

  2. Horsetail falls must be flowing

  3. The western sky must be clear at sunset. Absolutely no clouds.

To get more details check out this post:

http://yosemitefirefall.com/yosemite-firefall-horsetail-fall/

 

As always, wishing you nothing but the very best!

Bessie

 

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Purchase a print for your wall of this natural phenomenon here