lightray's Photos

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20120106-IMG_0630 Dropping in on some waves resulted in coming disengaged from the wave's face as this one shows. I was about half way up the face of this wave when I took it. If I hang on too long without ducking under, I risk getting sucked up and into the lip, then down with the lip and around for a few cycles. Not good for the camera, my body or the housing.

20110803-IMG_7055 Terns in flight with food returning to the nesting colony at South Bay Salt Works, on the San Diego Bay.

20130424-IMG_4604 Flowers on a Puya Alpestris inflorescence. After 2 years in the ground, my first flower stalk on this plant. I have used these as border plants to protect some of my more prized palms and cycads from my dog chasing balls, as they are very prickly bromeliads. Native to high altitudes in South America, they are also somewhat drought tolerant bromeliads that like full sun. I have other puya in my garden which still have not produced flower stalks after 4 years in the ground, so it takes some patience. I love this very unusual sapphire color of the flower.
The plant is great for borders you don't want crossed: Take a look at the base here:
http://lightray.smugmug.com/Flowers/Bromeliad-flowers-4-24-2013/29087973_PdNLKQ#!i=2475873211&k=NhB7tRh

20121017-IMG_0420 Big Ty before the sun rose over the cliffs. I love the way the light reflects across the cross ripples.

20111106-IMG_8913 Strelitzia reginae or bird of paradise flower.

20120113-IMG_0911 American Avocets and Red Legged Stilts @ South Bay Salt Works on San Diego Bay

20111130-IMG_9667 An unnamed Grommet, attracted to the cameraman in the water like a moth to the flame. Note the faint ridgeline with trees which can be seen through the fog. Since the fog is always thicker at sea level, closer subjects on the water disappear more quickly than the cliff line.

20130407-IMG_4265 Aechmea Recuvarta bromeliad bloom.

20100507-IMG_5065 Pat Z doing what I asked, get as close as possible and do a big move. He did land the air.

20120129-IMG_1462 Female Savannah cat on her throne.

20111231-IMG_0258 Anna's Humming Bird nesting on New Year's Eve 2011 in pygmy date palm. Waiting for chicks to hatch in the next week or two.

20130330-IMG_3713 Los Gaviotas, Baja, Mexico. Located just south of Rosarita Beach West of Puerto Nuevo, its a hop, skip and a jump from San Diego. The only down side is the border crossing wait to get home through the busiest border crossing in the world at San Ysidro.

20120106-IMG_0732 .... and that means its time to get out of the water for the day! I was already swimming in, but decided to turn around and try a couple of sunset shots from the water. Size is a bit distorted. The dark line of whitewater just below the sun and headed my way was probably about six feet high that day. It can be challenging with no channels at this break to stay in position to get the shots.

20120804-IMG_9530 Appenzeller Sennenhund Swiss Mountain Dog pup, 13 weeks old. She will be a mid-size dog when full grown, unlike her giant brethren Swiss Mountain Dog breeds the Berner (English is Bernese) and the Grosser Schweitzer(Greater Swiss Mountain Dog).

Your Bio

Carlsbad California is my home base for shooting Surf, Animals, Plants and whatever else comes in front of my lens. I use Canon cameras and lenses, supplemented with Del Mar Housing Project's surf housings when in the water.

Scroll down to Categories if you are looking for something in particular (a recent surf gallery for example). Galleries within Categories are sorted with most recent at the top. If you just want to see what I have shot recently, go to the first Category, as the Gallery with the newest photos rotates to the first Category when added.

Prints and Digital Downloads are available by clicking on the "BUY" button when you have a photo open. Your comments are always welcome, use the "COMMENT" button below the photo, or e-mail me with any questions. I can be reached at:
tracy.strahl@att.net