Technology, Books and Other Neat Stuff

So sue me, I like photographing sunsets on beaches.

Back in May we had a meeting with the Brazilian Minister Of Science And Technology (who, unlike the professional politicians of many other countries just happens to be a physics professor) in Laguna Beach. It's one of the more chi-chi Orange County neighbourhoods, but we managed to find a Best Western just off the coast highway. It turned out to be a rather delightful little hotel, a boutique hotel at motel prices like the Palm Springs Travelodge. It also was just a short walk from the beach.

We wandered down to watch the sun set, golden in the pale blue Pacific sky. We weren't the only people there, a group of dog walkers was enjoying the evening light.



It was a spectacular sunset, golden light gilding the wet sand and reflecting off the deep blue sea. A southern California classic in the making...



Laguna Beach, California
May 2010

At the tip of Palos Verdes, the small peninsula between Los Angeles and Long Beach, is a whale watching plaza. At the right time of the year it's a great place to see whales, as they come in close to the cliffs - and the docents at the site keep a list of what's been seen recently, usually greys and humpbacks, but occasionally they list a blue or two...

After this year's FiRe, we stopped off at the plaza to drink a cup of coffee and nibble a sandwich, watching a small pod of dolphins lope through the forests of kelp, sea wolves on the hunt. Suddenly we heard a buzzing sound and looked up. Maybe a portal had opened up into some alternate world, where zeppellins still ruled the skies, as an airship loomed out of the breaking marine layer, climbing up through a gap in the clouds. Were my brass goggles handy?

Sadly, no. It was just a Goodyear blimp, making a circuit from its home base at Long Beach airport. But it was still cool enough to photograph.



Palos Verdes, California
May 2010