Marc Muench Workshop's Catalina Island

dadwtwins · Mar-16-2009, 12:59 PM

I realize it has been awhile since I wrote on my blog but with the broken ankle and a month of sick kids, I haven't taken many pictures of late. That changed since my highly anticipated trip to Catalina.

I had the great pleasure to join a fantastic group of photographers in a Marc Muench Workshop that traveled in areas of Catalina that most of the public never sees. Jack Baldelli of the Catalina Conservancy was our guide that was hands down just the coolest person to meet. His knowledge of the areas to photograph, the animals, plants, wild flowers and his best feature, his enthusiasm and passion for the Island was exciting and invigorating.

Even though I felt like I was losing a lung from coughing so much, yes I was a little sick on the trip, I wouldn't have missed a minute of this adventure. We got up at 4:30 am most mornings and got to sleep by 10pm. We rode in a open air jeep over extreme steep terrain I wouldn't even walk on. Four Wheel roads have a whole new meaning to me now. I even screamed like a little kid at one point when going down a steep section of the path our jeep started to slide and Jack gunned the throttle to regain traction. Now I know what it feels like to wet my pants.

Enough of story telling and more of what this blog entry is all about. Pictures of the picturesque Island of Catalina. Here are a few of the landscape.

Besides the outstanding views we had, we also ran into some wildlife. The Island was able to rid itself of the goats and pigs that were destroying the natural foliage but they did leave the Bison. The Catalina Bison are one of the few Bison herds that do not have a mix of the domestic cow DNA. These guys even though are huge to me are much smaller than the Bison on the main land. They have to stay small and nimble in order to trek the Island's Steep terrain.

The Bald Eagles were almost extinct from the Island until the Conservancy made a huge push to protect these majestic birds. There are only a few birds on the Island but we were able to capture one decent shot. We only had a few moments before the Eagle took off in flight across the water to its nest high up in the trees.

Here are a few other birds that inhabit the Island.

California Quail

House Finches

Horned Lark

Northern Flicker

While resting for lunch, this little Side Blotched Lizard seemed a little curious to why we were disturbing his bask in the sun.

This time of the year the wild flowers are in bloom showing off all their glory. The Island was so green, one would think the Island was more near Ireland rather than Southern California.

Bee on a Daisy

Blue Dick

Cactus Bloom

Elegant Lupin

Shooting Star

Island Poppy

Last but not least, here is a dedication to the man that made this workshop as memorable as any photo trip I have been on.

The Famous Muench Star

Awais Yaqub · Mar-16-2009, 01:19 PM

Wow these are beautiful Dan !
Seems like you enjoyed a lot

tisun · Mar-16-2009, 01:22 PM

Dan, glad to see your post after a long absence. It looks like you were rewarded with good clouds and sunbeams. Great pictures!

***Andy*** · Mar-16-2009, 01:40 PM

what a great series!
I'm not even half way into processing my shots and I'm already jealous

kdog · Mar-16-2009, 02:24 PM

OHMIGOSH!! Amazing set!!

dlplumer · Mar-16-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdog

OHMIGOSH!! Amazing set!!

+1 Fantastic.

dadwtwins · Mar-16-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy

what a great series!
I'm not even half way into processing my shots and I'm already jealous

What do you mean processing. These are straight out of the camera

.

Thanks to you and Marc, the trip was awesome. I can not wait to see your pictures. When you gave us the occasional glimpse, I was blown away by the shots.

dadwtwins · Mar-16-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy

what a great series!
I'm not even half way into processing my shots and I'm already jealous

I also wanted to show everyone what a dedicated photographer would go through to get the shot. I on the other hand had a 400mm lens and was not going to tempt faith. Maybe someday I will be as dedicated as Andy

or not

anwmn1 · Mar-16-2009, 07:25 PM

Great Post!!

That Wave shot and the Cactus Bloom are just fantastic!!

catspaw · Mar-16-2009, 09:13 PM

nice set! I've only just finished uploading the snapshots, I still have the REST to go through. like the 60mm macro enough to buy yourself a copy? you got some great some from it!!!

Mar-16-2009, 12:59 PM	#1
dadwtwins Forever a Novice Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 651	Marc Muench Workshop's Catalina Island I realize it has been awhile since I wrote on my blog but with the broken ankle and a month of sick kids, I haven't taken many pictures of late. That changed since my highly anticipated trip to Catalina. I had the great pleasure to join a fantastic group of photographers in a Marc Muench Workshop that traveled in areas of Catalina that most of the public never sees. Jack Baldelli of the Catalina Conservancy was our guide that was hands down just the coolest person to meet. His knowledge of the areas to photograph, the animals, plants, wild flowers and his best feature, his enthusiasm and passion for the Island was exciting and invigorating. Even though I felt like I was losing a lung from coughing so much, yes I was a little sick on the trip, I wouldn't have missed a minute of this adventure. We got up at 4:30 am most mornings and got to sleep by 10pm. We rode in a open air jeep over extreme steep terrain I wouldn't even walk on. Four Wheel roads have a whole new meaning to me now. I even screamed like a little kid at one point when going down a steep section of the path our jeep started to slide and Jack gunned the throttle to regain traction. Now I know what it feels like to wet my pants. Enough of story telling and more of what this blog entry is all about. Pictures of the picturesque Island of Catalina. Here are a few of the landscape. Besides the outstanding views we had, we also ran into some wildlife. The Island was able to rid itself of the goats and pigs that were destroying the natural foliage but they did leave the Bison. The Catalina Bison are one of the few Bison herds that do not have a mix of the domestic cow DNA. These guys even though are huge to me are much smaller than the Bison on the main land. They have to stay small and nimble in order to trek the Island's Steep terrain. The Bald Eagles were almost extinct from the Island until the Conservancy made a huge push to protect these majestic birds. There are only a few birds on the Island but we were able to capture one decent shot. We only had a few moments before the Eagle took off in flight across the water to its nest high up in the trees. Here are a few other birds that inhabit the Island. California Quail House Finches Horned Lark Northern Flicker While resting for lunch, this little Side Blotched Lizard seemed a little curious to why we were disturbing his bask in the sun. This time of the year the wild flowers are in bloom showing off all their glory. The Island was so green, one would think the Island was more near Ireland rather than Southern California. Bee on a Daisy Blue Dick Cactus Bloom Elegant Lupin Shooting Star Island Poppy Last but not least, here is a dedication to the man that made this workshop as memorable as any photo trip I have been on. The Famous Muench Star __________________ My Homepage -->http://dthorp.smugmug.com My Photo Blog -->http://dthorpphoto.blogspot.com/ Last edited by dadwtwins : Mar-17-2009 at 02:30 PM.

Mar-16-2009, 01:19 PM	#2
Awais Yaqub One Inspired soul Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Pakistan /Islamabad Posts: 9,427	Wow these are beautiful Dan ! Seems like you enjoyed a lot __________________ My Website \| Facebook Page \|Twitter Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul iqbal

Mar-16-2009, 01:40 PM	#4
*Andy* Hold the meat Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 50,164	what a great series! I'm not even half way into processing my shots and I'm already jealous __________________ Andy SmugMug COO, General Manager, House Pro & Dgrin Admin • Moon River Photography • League of Creative Infrared Photographers

Mar-16-2009, 02:24 PM	#5
kdog artistically challenged Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kingman, AZ Posts: 4,675	OHMIGOSH!! Amazing set!! __________________ http://desertilluminations.com/

Mar-16-2009, 07:25 PM	#9
anwmn1 Wandering the Desert Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sonoran Desert Posts: 2,833	Great Post!! That Wave shot and the Cactus Bloom are just fantastic!! __________________ "The Journey of life is as much in oneself as the roads one travels" Aaron Newman My Website

Mar-16-2009, 01:22 PM	#3
tisun Major grins Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 348	Dan, glad to see your post after a long absence. It looks like you were rewarded with good clouds and sunbeams. Great pictures!

Mar-16-2009, 09:13 PM	#10
catspaw job-free, camera-mad Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Utah.... wait, what? Posts: 874	nice set! I've only just finished uploading the snapshots, I still have the REST to go through. like the 60mm macro enough to buy yourself a copy? you got some great some from it!!! __________________ //Leah http://www.catspawphotos.com http://www.catspawphotoblog.com D3, D300, D200, D50, G10, G10 IR + glass + goodies

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