March 22, 2011

• PhotoPost: San Clemente Pier 2

  
  

  XANGA BLOGATHON Day #2. I’ve promised to update every day this week. I was hoping to create an “entirely” new PhotoPost for today, but the weather didn’t participate, so no Photo Expeditions, but I do still owe this blog Part 2 of my San Clemente PhotoPost, from January, so here it is. This is a selection of photos taken from my Webshots Folder titled San Clemente Pier and Environs. The first Xanga PhotoPost containing San Clemente photos can be found HERE.
  

  
  
  

  Intrigued by this single outcropping sticking out from the rocks alongside the railroad tracks, I took multiple shots as usual. This one came out the best, showing not only the rock but the horizon line in the distance, with reflections on the water from the sun.
  

  
  

  This is another version of a photo I featured in the first collection, showing a surfboard leaning against a “Danger” sign. In this shot, you can see more of the lifeguard building on the left, under which I walk with my videocamera in the “San Clemente Pier” Mike’s Video Blog footage.
  

  
  

  This simple shot is one I used for the title sequence for the video. One of a rare example of a photo of mine which isn’t shot at an angle or framed by something.
  

  
  Above and below are photos taken underneath the pier, as the waves crash into the shore.
  
  I like the play of light and dark in these photos, which almost look as if they are monochrome instead of color.
  
  One of the lifeguard vehicles parked alongside the lifeguard tower about a third of the way down the San Clemente Pier.
  
  

  There were lots of surfers in wetsuits enjoying the beautiful weather, in between almost constant rainstorms we’ve had out here since December. It rained on the first day of Spring, for heaven sakes. Hopefully, the rest of spring will have weather more like what is portrayed in these photos taken during the last weekend in January.
  

  
  Man’s feathered friend perches on the railing of the San Clemente Pier.
  
  

  Shot from the end of the pier, looking toward shore. A lone pigeon hovers in the air at top right. I wondered where the seagulls were on that particular day, and in the video, I ask one of the pigeons where his white brothers are hiding.
  

  
  A view of the north side of the pier, with man’s best friend coming into frame from the left.
  
  
  

  One thing I think is really neat about San Clemente Beach is the Amtrack line which passes frequently along the train tracks adjacent to the beachside. Here you see the destination sign which the train passengers see from their windows as they pass San Clemente.
  

  
  

  A wetsuit is draped over the beach warning signpost, with possibly the surfer’s bicycle parked alongside the sign.
  

  
  

  Alongside the walkway across the railroad tracks down to the sand, there are some flora and rockscapes in the distance, looking down the coast towards the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
  

  
  

  EDIT: 8:00am. I usually post about 20 pix in these PhotoPosts, so here’s a few shots I took moments ago around my mobile home showing the work I’ve been doing weeding, removing overgrown plants, tilling the soil, and sheeting and repebbling the rockbeds which rim my home. Above: Morning has broken!
  

  
  

  I began the project in 2009 when I moved in, even before my hip revision surgery. I cleared this area, tilled and turned the soil, killed the weeds, added plastic sheeting and stepping stones, and cleaned the rocks from a big pile on the left side of the shed. I didn’t start work again until after I’d healed from the operation, in early 2010.
  

  
  

  I began with the strip alongside the carport. At first I placed stepping stones alongside where I park my car, but there was no plastic sheeting under the rocks, and weeds began to grow. I stopped work in mid 2010 and vowed as my only “New Year’s Resolution” this year to complete this task. I’ve been sneaking out whenever the rain stops. The area in front of the stepping stones was just done on Saturday, and there is no sheeting under the rocks at the front of the bed. I removed some succulents and now it doesn’t look as if any plants were even there. Eventually, potted plants will line this bed, and I’ll re-slurry the driveway as well. (And straighten up more of the edging, which hasn’t been done yet in this area.)
  

  
  

  Here is what I accomplished weekend before last. I removed a lot of overgrown agapanthus, turned the soil, added heavy duty weedkiller, which is supposed to be good for up to a year, and cleaned the rocks which were already in the bed, replacing them on the plastic. I also straightened up the siding which has been at an almost 45 degree angle since I moved in. I’ve used up all the limestone rocks, and now, when I can afford it, I will purchase more rocks to finish the project. There will eventually be a screened in porch alongside the wall on the right, in back of the satellite dish. I will ring the house with potted plants. Gardenias and azaleas for the most part. Color bowls with annuals on the strip next to the carport!
  

  • 11:11 am
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