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This rocky coastline south of Pigeon Point in California is the perfect place for Pelicans to sit and watch for fish. They come and go all day and make dramatic plunges into the ocean when they spot their dinner. I had to wait about 45 minutes for the right combination of wave and light in order to show this place off at its best. Notice how the foreground rock is completely wet? Several times, I had to grab the tripod and run, as one wave after another pounded that rock. I also had to wait for a background wave that was big enough to break in a nice curl, but not so big as to block the ocean's horizon.
Oh, and all the rocks are at this angle and very slippery. And there is no sand behind me here, just these angled rocks. It made my escapes rather tricky...
0.3 second exposure @F13 with ND grad 0.9 + 0.6
| Title: | Pelican Rock |
| Username: | 
PatrickSmith |
| Uploaded: | 16 Oct 2006 - 2:32 PM |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D |
| Lens: | Canon 17-40 @19 |
| Recording media: | RAW ISO 50 |
| Tags: | General, Landscape / travel, Pigeon point pelican |
| Votes: | 175 |
Comments
so beautiful!! it's perfect shot.
deserves more votes. have mine
Guram.
I bet you'd be great to video running up and down. Of course, I would be waiting for that moment when you fell in!
Anyhow, supberb scene from across the miles 
Teresa
Just been staring into the large version - amazing detail in this. Love the light on the rocks showing up all the textures too. Fantastic work.
Ali
You ARE mad! LOL....45 minutes!
Zzzzzzzzzzz ; )
...but I bet you didn´t get sleepy though....LOL...
Another excellent example of your forbearance...
Great capture, Patrick!
Jouko
Thanks for looking!
Yes, Victor. It does seem to work out that way.
Andy - LOL, it is all your fault! You write about standing in mud for hours on end in freezing weather, so I figure I can compose a shot probably 15 times over a mere 45 minutes before I finally take a shot!
Teresa, I was hoping that nobody was watching because I was slipping all over the place. And getting down the cliff to this spot was not fun!
Yes, Jouko, I definitely stayed awake the whole time. You'll see why when I upload the one taken about 15 minutes after this one. Mad? Um....
Patrick
All that work Patrick but all worth while superb as shouild be expected great work
Brian...............
Patrick,
Well worth waiting for my friend. Thats a sign of a man on a mission, and i for one are glad that you stayed to get it right. Stunning shot.
Glynn
Again your attention to the finer details pays dividends Patrick.
Did you really think to make sure the breaking wave didn't obscure the horizon? I'm sure most of us would have gone for biggest is best without thinking of that 
Mike
Always worth the wait, and what's a little water for a good shot ;o) Nice feathered edge to that distant rock too...
i must say i like the detail and light on those wet rocks
Thanks for your comments!
Yes Glynn, this shot did not want to be taken. I guess I could have stayed back and zoomed in more but I wanted to see that rock really close up.
Yes Mike, I waited and waited for a smaller wave. I've taken shots of bigger waves and when I got them home, the horizon was blocked and it felt 'closed in.' Sometimes biggest is best though. It just depends.
LOL Nik (chuff) 'feathered'... definitely!
Yes, Maddie. I can tell you like the wet rocks when I browse through your latest shots!
Patrick
Well I am really sorry Patrick but Nice shot as it is, ... I don't think that it is up to your usual standard! Nice colour, good comp but where is that Patrick Smith water motion that we all so love?
If this was not yours I would probably like it more, but you have set so high a standard now that I expect more from you.
Sorry again, but really this is a complement if you think about it!
I look forward to the net upload taken 15 mins afterthis one!
Scotty
Very nice Patrick, like your description about waiting for the right moment.
Nigel.
Thanks Nigel.
Actually Scott, there is one I took just before this one that has lots of water action. Maybe my best water action shot yet. I'll upload that one too. The one just after this one is a long exposure, so you may not like that one either, but it has other things going for it. . This shot is more about the rock, the light and the Pelicans. But I did try to work on getting that distant breaking wave just right.
Patrick
Another beauty Patrick. Your kneecaps must be in bits at this stage from slipping and falling!!! lol
Had a look at your website. It's terrific!!
Laura
Lovely shot Patrick!!
Wonder what it would have looked like with a Patrick's long exposure and milky look?
Dave
as ever patrick, a truely fabulous capture, very well taken indeed.
marc.
Thanks for looking!
Yes Laura, the rocks were very slippery. Not fun when you have to move fast to avoid a wave while holding a tripod and camera in one hand!
I do have one of those Dave, pointing to the lighthouse to the right into a good sunset sky. I'll show it later. I don't want to be known as 'the milkman' however - LOL!
Patrick
The large version certainly does this image justice. Ecxellent detail, top marks.
Anthony.
Lovely Patrick, great exposure as ever only let down by the horizon sloping down to the right by a degree. Spotted it on the mid-size view and even more noticeable on the large one IMHO.
Apologies for being negative, but just being honest, still gets my click though as it's only a minor point.
Paul
Your images always meet the upmost standard -and for me, your descriptions of how you achieved the image are enlightening - there are times when I've said to myself - "now what would Patrick do?" - he'd wait, of course! for the perfect shot. Thanks for the inspirations.
Regards,
Jan
Thanks for looking.
Sure looks like it Paul. Thanks!
Thanks Anthony!
Jan, I often know where I want to go under certain conditions. But once there, I just sit for a while and see what is happening. I often don't know what I'm going to do for 10 - 30 minutes after I arrive. But watching for a while really does help.
Patrick
I'd be stood with Teresa, with the video, if I was there... : )
Jeanie
Thanks Alan.
LOL Jeanie..... Not one for YouTube's greatest hits no doubt! I'm glad for the fact that rarely does anybody see me make my shots because I do some rather funny things sometimes. Like pick up the tripod numerous times or run back and forth repeatedly! I have had people ask me 'What were you doing out there?' I showed them my shot and then they said. Oh, THAT'S what you were doing!
Patrick
Another cracking shot Patrick. Your description really makes me appreciate how hard you work on your shots, and it clearly it ranslates to the final image.
Superb shot Patrick, light and colours spot on and I love all the birds standing on the rock in the distance.
John
Superb shot Patrick, light and colours spot on, and I love all the birds standing on the rock in the distance.
John
Hello Patrick.
Wondefull and good looking picture, you made here again. Nice reading the story as well thanks,
Jan
A superb shot, I was wondering how far that wave in the distance would go, and if you got wet or not.
Hi Patrick. This one is reminiscent of Saltwick Bay. It sounds from your description as though you've invented a whole new form of water torture. Nick.
Beautiful light Patrick, very well chosen subject, stunning, Adrian
You do have patience. Guess thats why the picture gets as good as they are
Peter
eyup Patrick........so you finally found something similar in shape to Black nab at Saltwick Bay then
Hope all's well
Chris Ceaser
Hi Patrick,this is gorgeous,i like all those pelicans like little dots on the rock in the bg,the angles of the rocks and the way the sea has definitely washed over them,the way the shadows are and the water is still moving over the little ones,just not as fast as usual.I think it's a stunner and the sky is absolute magic and worth waiting for.Hope you are alright.Look forward to the next one.Take care.Ann
The slight tinge of light hitting the rocks is just awesome Patrick.
--Den--
The sea and the f.g. rocks look like they are made of or coated with quick silver. Beautifully crafted image Patrick.
MikeA.
Thanks for looking!
Yes Nick and Chris, this does look a bit like Saltwick. I actually thought that when I saw it for the first time on the computer!
Thanks Ann, I'm fine. I hop eyou are doing better now.
Yes Mike, the rocks did have a certain sheen to them. I wasn't sure it would come across in the image until I saw the raw file.
Patrick
wicked photo, god that just looks soo nice a spot to be... Worth the wait.... Do what a friend of mine does. Cheap platic bag with elastic covering the whole camera except the lens... Can take it off fast if you need too but set up the shot as you want it..
Tommy
A fantastic seascape, excellent lighting, composition and detail, especially on the rocks in the foreground
Thanks for looking!
Yes Tommy I have a plastic bag that covers the whole camera so that I can take my time to work out the general composition and the exposure settings. Then I briefly lift the cover and take the shot. But here I needed to get my entire body out of the way before the waves hit!
Patrick
Brave shot!
All been said, but it's that big wave in the distance that makes it for me.
Kathy
Hi Patrick
Another top class photo your portfolio one of the best I have seen
Steve
Lovely subtle colours in this Patrick, and they work so well.
Merl
The lighting, details and textures on the fg rocks are quite stunning Patrick. I have concluded however, that you must be completely MAD. Great shot by the way.
Nigel
MAD - but so very patient Patrick! great shot yet again, excellent light and detail on the fg rocks, the large version is superb.
Sarah
Patience, Patrick, is something you'll have to teach me! Another stunning shot.
Another great Image Patrick. The detail of the birds on the distant rock, together with the foreground detail make this a lovely image. Patience is a virtue...
Mark
The lenghts you go to to capture a photograph. Good one.
Ted
Quality and class - what else can one say? Well probably quite a lot but it has all been said above. Well done Patrick!
Patrick really beautiful and with great depth and eye on detail! Patrick always amazed at how perfect they are!
stay well
tonymarq
Thanks for looking!
LOL - I'm not mad Nigel and Sarah, merely just a little insane!
I'll try to stay well Tony!
Patrick
Love the way you caught the rocks,water and light.Thanks for putting the birds in.LOL.Patrick it might be me but someting looks odd in the bottom left.Might be the way the light hit the rock.Anyway super work as always.Take care and stay safe..
Hi John (yjjeep), you should see it at full size. It is a very strange transclucent form of material. It is very slippery and you can see through to the rock. There is water flowing over it which really enhances the effect.
Patrick
Very effective image Pat-- I would love this ??? beach Love how you have photographed it-- The lighting is perfect and the soft flowing water completes the ambience--
as to climbing around on those slippery rocks-- they look super slipery-- well, I will leave it to you!
Jennnnnnnnnn
You do have a talent for catching the light on the rocks at just the perfect moment, not too much, just enough to support the definition in the rocks and provide accent, another beautiful shot. Spot on! Click!!!
Greg
Superb image, love the sea and wave in background
christine
The light and the textures are stunning - what a beautiful exposure!
Anna
So sharp and clear Patrick. Beautifully composed and lit. As said above, more than a hint of Saltwick Bay about the shot.
Just make sure you don't get caught out one of these days!
Martin
Never mind the cloud cover Patrick when you can achieve shots like this. Where was your banner image taken. PAul
What can i say Patrick another fantastic shot,the light and composition are excellent and great colours,super shot.
Mo.
Thanks for looking!
Yes Jennnn, they were very slippery and never flat, so I had to walk in the crevases which were not in convieniant places.
Martin, I do remember when I took the shot that people might mention Saltwick here. There do seem to be some similarities.
Hi Paul, the banner image was taken on Mt. Tamalpais, pointing towards San Francisco under the fog. The GG bridge is under there too somewhere.
Patrick
Love the sun light caught in the rock crags...nice one Patrick
Alan
perfect capture and detail...again!
next best thing to the baywatch rocks! LOL!
Thomas
wow, love the dramatic sky and the sun making the highlights on the rocks...excellento !
alex
Looks like Saltwick Bay in Northern England to me Patrick!
For me the sky looks a tad muddy and could be a little brighter, but seems as is often the case I am in a minority of one!
Russ
Quote: . . .It made my escapes rather tricky...
. .
. . so glad you made it! & the camera . . .
. . have been on a short vacation to our Cornish coastline . . chasing light and trying hard to find scenes like this . . and failing 
. . terrific image!
Mike.W
gorgeous light and detail makes all your effort worth while
Great pic Patrick. I think the only thing that detracts a bit for me is the ever so slightly wonky horizon, but still a good image.
Jules
Thanks for looking!
Yes Russ, it is a bit like Saltwick and others seem to think so too. The light was very soft, so brightening it would make it lose detail. Maybe more contrast or a levels adjustment on the sky only would help perhaps. We'll see what others say.
Thanks Jules, it has been fixed now, though not here.
Mike, I barely made it out alive! It was like walking on slippery oil. Keep looking in Cornwall, I've seen some great stuff from there!
Patrick
Patrick, a fabulous shot on all counts for me except, is it sloping from left to right? Sorry to be picky, if I could get these results I would be over the moon
Malcolm
Very nice Pat, you got the light shining on that foreground rock just right, lovely colour reflected off the long awaited cloud, good colour in the ocean in the foreground too, love that green colour.
Actually this looks like the place i was a couple of months ago, the lighthouse a little ways to the right, i scrambled down a cliff along a short path to get to a rocky outcrop just above the beach and the rocks were all angled just like this one, i didn't get any useable shots from there though.
Grandiose picture, I hope that the shots that I took, last week in Pembrokeshire, will be somewhere near this quality.
Fully agree with Brian,Glynn,Mike and Jan(Gajj)and,of course,your replies. Everything is perfect because that's the way you work. An inspiration!
Thanks for your comments on my feeble efforts,much appreciated,and I will try to adopt your discipline. Jim
Appreciate your attention to detail (and effort) here Patrick - the wave talks - and the 'peppered' effect of the pelicans on the rock comes across beautifully
If I have a comment - let your instincts go - add some punch ??
Dave
Just had to come have a second look Pat, having now played with RAW for a while myself, i can imagine what this shot must have looked like straight from the camera, your post processing is among the best i have seen.
Thanks for your comments!
Yes Malcolm, it's been fixed now but I'm stuck with this version here. Thanks for noticing.
True Terry, the lighthouse is just to the right, and I have a good one taken on a decent sunset for once! My best lighthouse yet. I do put a lot of effort into getting it to look just as I saw it. I do every rock and wave seperately. The raw file always seems to look flat, but the data is in there.
I wish Jim!
Thanks Dave. This one is dewfinitely not action packed. By punch do you mean as in some dramatic wave action? Or a bigger sky perhaps? More colour?
Patrick
Hello Patrick, another seaside shot which is very beautiful with good contrasting properties and a selection of colour to your sky which has to be admired.
Doug.
Well worth everything you went through to get this Patrick, patience not my best virtue I'm afraid....funny, I can't think of any other virtues I may have either!
Gwyn
Thanks for your comments!
I'm honoured Bill.
Yes Doug, we finally had a few clouds up there for a change. Clear as a bell right now though.
Thanks Gwyn. You have plenty of virtues. You take great photos just to name one.
Patrick
I think I had the feeling that the colours were a little too controlled everything rather precisely in place Patrick - I dunno - one gets feelings about something sometimes and just responds to them as a comment -?
Dave
Thanks for your comments!
Maybe that is what it is Dave. I spent a lot of time getting everything exactly right... maybe too exact perhaps? The colours I left alone. I didn't even saturate them a bit.
Patrick
Your patience is well rewarded, love the colour tones and the rocks
Dot
absolutely love the colors and lighting in this! so very nice!
great that you escaped to show us this marvelous capture!!
Georg
Another stunner Patrick. You must be the most clicked photograher on the site. Well deserved too IMHO.
Iain
Just gonna clickn and run, Patrick. Up to your usual impeccable standards - love to hear about your heroic's capturing these!
Colin
stunning image you have a great style of photography i love your work!
Patrick, your patience has paid off in another great seascape. -=Walter
Excellent texture and detail in the wet rocks, superbly composed - patience is a virtue Patrick!
C
Lovely shot again. YOu should make a film of your exploits! They always sound very amusing! :0)
You certainly live life on the edge Patrick .... and I so love the tales of your adventures taking your images .... they are just as entertaining as looking at the results! And this is yet another fantastic result too! As ever stunning detail colour and light ..... the rocks are lovely textures ..... so much to see ... excellent! Click*
Karen
wow, great jaggered edges on the rocks...I like how you captured the golden light and hints of part blue in the sky...a technique only a master can achieve...
alex
Well, I think it's well worth you suffering for your art by getting wet so we can enjoy these lovely shots! The light on the foreground rock, the curling wave and the bird silhouettes on the rock in the background really make it for me!
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