Elkhorn Slough Photo

Photographer’s Note

Elkhorn Slough is one of California's largest wetlands and part of a National Estuarine Reserve located in central Monterey Bay, California, midway between Santa Cruz area and Monterey. In the background, you can see the heavily populated Monterey Peninsula
The tiny town of Moss Landing sits at the mouth of Elkhorn Slough, It is home to the Montere.y Bay Aquarium Research Institute, sister organization to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It is also the location of the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories research facility, which is sponsored by seven California universities and offers a Masters of Science in marine science. The presence of this lab, many fishing boats and very simple homes reminds us both of John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row with Doc Rickett’s marine laboratory. I’ve earlier posted two other pictures of Moss Landing, here and here
Moss Landing's most notable landmark is the Moss Landing Power Plant. When we sailed south, in the days before GPS; this was a major landmark along our course. Another landmark was the cement plant at Davenport, just north of Santa Cruz. Now this small town hosts a bakery with some of the best croissants I’ve eaten. In my next post, I’ll tell you about a great place to eat in Moss Landing

bakes888, jwmunro, gunbud, besnard, ribeiroantonio, JCG, xuaxo, bona, ahmetgedikli, yedirenk, danos, feather, denisn72, Henryk_Bilor, Angshu, akm, josepmarin has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bakes888 (18045) 2009-06-19 16:27

Hi Pat. Well constructed photo, the horses in the FG make a great focal point and really draw the eye into the scene, the power station are the next port of call for the eyes though not quite and aesthetic as the horses of course ;-). Nicely handled light and colours and beautiful sky to cap the scene. Thanks for sharing.
Have a good weekend, Paul.

Waylim (10645) 2009-06-19 16:55

Hi pat,
It is a beautifully composed image, even the tow towers of power plants is sort of an eye sore, but we do live in the mordern world. But you manage to incorporated into a beautiful composition and the wetland and hourses glazing leisurely in the rich green field soften it much and the glisten of hte wetland brighten up the landsape. Beautiful cloud, low and warm light, all together make it a lovely image. The WS of the strawberry field sure take us into the backdrop of John Steinbeck's stories. I just finish reading "The Winter of Our Discontent" Not his best but great, take us back to some difficult life and time.
Way

jwmunro (6851) 2009-06-19 19:08

Hello Pat -

I don't want to spoil your surprise, but I hope it is P..F..Mkt. This is our favorite place with the Mexican restaurant right on PCH the second best place. This is a very pastoral view of the area even with the PG&E plant in the BG. Captured during one of the two golden periods of the day. Well done!

I need to spend some time in Moss Landing and work the birds in slough. I have captured some of the Great Egrets and Brown Pelicans, but that is all.

Thank you for sharing.

John

gunbud (27467) 2009-06-19 20:00

Hi Pat,
These horses quietely grazing on the lush green foreground grass now only makes and excellent lead-in but also provides a fine contrast to the two tall modern smoke stacks.
Love the sky and clouds reflecting in the inlet.
No need to apologize for slow responses. I know you are going through some tough times.
Regards, Tom

gneufeld (14959) 2009-06-19 20:49

Hi Pat,
I like this blended perspective - rural grass lands along side industrial. Good colors, nice perspective, excellent depth, and clarity. TFS. Gerald

besnard (30020) 2009-06-19 21:35

Bonjour Pat
Une belle lumière sur ce paysage tranquille. Les couleurs sont jolies et l'ensemble très agréable à regarder.
Je te souhaite un bon week-end.
Nicole

rodgerg (22885) 2009-06-19 22:15

Hello Pat,

An iamge very well composed and rich in various details well collected. The two horses give an living and interesting FG. Great depht of filed too. The good managment of light give beautiful contrast. Good and nice phtowork.
Have a nice WE,
Roger

pablominto (39832) 2009-06-19 22:40

Hello Pat,

The peaceful rural scene in front contrasts well with the urban background, nicely symbolized by man's seemingly endless need for energy..!
Excellent sharpness in details, I get the impression the air is crisp clean...
And I completely share your admiration for Steinbeck's population in Cannery Row!

Greetings,
Pablo -

ribeiroantonio (21701) 2009-06-19 23:02

Excellent shot with nothing visible coming out of tho huge chimneys. I like your POV with those two horses in the foreground. It makes the picture very peaceful and relaxing. Well done.
Antonio

JCG (24733) 2009-06-20 4:07

Hello Pat,

Contrast interesting here between wild life and industrial site… Beautiful quality of image, I like much the colors of the image and his clearness. The foreground formed by this couple of horses gives serenity to the place. Pretty glance, thank you Pat.

With all my friendships and a very good WE,

Jean-Charles

xuaxo (5609) 2009-06-20 5:43

Olá Pat,
Nice, clear picture. It's interesting the contrast between the industrial landmark and the horses like in a farm.
SAA.
Francisco

Dyerco (8816) 2009-06-20 6:56

Hi Pat
What a lovely composition. The horses are well placed in the scene and provide FG interest as well as balancing out the power plant towers. Sorry you couldn't make it to the Painted Hills with us. It was a short meet but very enjoyable.
Phil

bona (2035) 2009-06-20 7:30

Strange the contrast between the green area and the factory on the background (is it a Thermal power station?).
The horses are great in thescene.
well done.
Andre

ahmetgedikli (21517) 2009-06-20 9:26

Hi Pat,
Excellent scenery... Great POV, lighting and good sharpness. Very well done.
Have a good weekend.
Ahmet

yedirenk (7111) 2009-06-21 19:17

Hi Pat,
very fantastic photo with nice colours and warm light.two horses and two chimneys are eye-catcher details.an interesting composition,superb framed.impressive atmosphere..well done.TFS
Have a nice week.

Cevdet

danos (31520) 2009-06-22 12:54

Hello Pat,
nice this landscape view of California's wetlands with the two horses to add life in the scene.The different levels of the water create depth and in combination with the brilliant light make the scene great.Informative your note too.

Regards,Danos

feather (49848) 2009-06-24 15:01

What luck to have the horses in the perfect place to take this image. Even the industial chimneys can't spoil the charm of the place as seen through your lens. I particularly like how the light and reflected blue of the sky has been captured on the water.
Hope all is continuing to go well!
Kath x

denisn72 (6867) 2009-06-25 4:34

Hi Pat!
That is a attractive landscape! Well balanced, colorful and good contrasts. The horses are a bonus to the composition. The wetlands seem special and unique. The tall chimneys are interesting too and they contrast well with the nature. I like it!
Best regards
Denis!

Henryk_Bilor (20365) 2009-06-25 13:35

Hello Pat
What a lovely, romantic scene. Although these chimneys contrasting a bit with the landscape ;). Good light, good idea too.
Regards

Angshu (33185) 2009-06-30 2:10

Hi Pat
Reminds me of the picture of Battersey Power station in England, which features in Pink Floyds album cover as well...except that the location here is far more beautiful! Like the contrast of features here...grassland & wetland in the Fg with Power Station in the BG!
Best Regards
Angshu

MarianneS (14262) 2009-07-04 13:52

Hi Pat,
I would like to taste those croissants :-)
It is strange to see these two chemineys in such a peaceful and idyllic landscape.
Both horses at the foreground enhance this feeling of serenity.
I hope you are all right, take care.
Marianne

Wahclellaspirit (3017) 2009-07-09 11:45

Hello Pat,
I am not having any luck with this new site as I have to go through their new site, switch to my site, go to my favorites, then open and pick the image of the members new post. that is too much time involved to critique so many excellent images from everyone.
But, this pastural scene is a beauty as it is warm and finds oneself comforted by the leisure of the horses in the field. Remarkably sharp for a Nikon isn't it--LOL...
Well done,
How's Larry? I hope all is well with you both...
Steve

akm (640) 2009-07-19 16:10

Hello Pat,
I missed this until now. This is a great presentation of these important wetlands -- very fine composition, light, colors and sharpness, with the horses providing a delightful counterpoint to the wetlands and the plant. I'm a San Franciscon and am delighted to see the slough on TE. Excellent note too. Thank you.
Regards,
Mary

josepmarin (33547) 2009-08-05 3:14

Hi Pat,
The huge chimneys of the power plant in background create a strong contrast with the beauty and smoothness of this landscape of the wetlands with the horses grazing in its so green and fresh grass.
The framing and the angle of vision of your photo are perfect to obtain a good aesthetic result.
Nice composition.
HLJ
Josep