Seascapes

Fiji Seascapes Underwater Photography

Photographs of Namena Marine Reserve, Fiji Islands

The Namena Marine Reserve is one of the most spectacular marine areas in the Fiji Islands. Since it is located between the two main islands Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, Namena Marine Reserve is bathed with strong ocean currents that pass through that gap. It was established in 1997 and…

Phil CollaApril 14, 2016

Fiji Seascapes Underwater Photography Vatu i Ra Passage

The Spectacular Coral Reef Walls of Mount Mutiny, Bligh Waters, Fiji

One of most spectacular underwater sights I saw while in Fiji was the incredible wall at Mount Mutiny, a huge coral bommie in the Bligh Waters near the middle of the Fiji Islands. Mount Mutiny is surrounded by deep water and typically bathed in strong ocean currents rich with plankton,…

Phil CollaFebruary 3, 2016

Fiji Seascapes Underwater Photography

Dendronephthya Soft Corals

In my experience Dendronephthya soft corals are the most spectacular and photogenic of the myriad invertebrate denizens of tropical coral reefs. "Soft coral" is a broad term, often used to describe gorgonians, leather corals, cup corals, sea whips, octocorals, etc etc that are found in all oceans of the world. The…

Phil CollaJanuary 24, 2016

Fiji Seascapes Underwater Photography

Chironephthya, Fiji’s “Other” Soft Coral

Fiji's Coral Reefs are known as the "Soft Coral Capital of the World" for good reason. Spectacular displays of colorful soft coral, usually Dendronepthya, are found on Fiji's coral reefs in abundance. I had done a fair bit of research before the trip and thought I knew what types of…

Phil CollaJanuary 6, 2016

Fiji Seascapes Underwater Photography Vatu i Ra Passage

Diving the Vatu-I-Ra Passage in Fiji’s Bligh Waters

See also: Photos of Fiji's Beautiful Coral Reefs The ocean waters between Fiji's Viti Levu and Vanua Levu islands are called the Bligh Waters after Captain William Bligh and his flight from mutineers. The Bligh Waters are famous among divers as they are home to some of the most spectacular…

Phil CollaJanuary 4, 2016

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla Seascapes

Spectacular Sunrise in La Jolla

We've had some great sunrises and sunsets lately, thanks to weather patterns in Southern California that provide high clouds and open horizons to let the light reach the undersides of the clouds just at the edge of each day. A few days ago I was photographing the full moon over…

Phil CollaDecember 19, 2013

Astrophotography and Night Scapes Beautiful Views of San Diego Seascapes

Moonlight Waves

I once shot photographs of waves by the light of phytoplankton during a major red tide event. That worked out pretty well, although it was pushing the cameras to the limits of what they could record. However, this time I'm not sure what I was thinking: I got up at…

Phil CollaDecember 18, 2013

Astrophotography and Night Scapes California Seascapes

Starlight and Moonlight on Little Corona, Newport Beach

When I was a kid growing up in Newport Beach, we would often visit Little Corona beach and see tons of black abalone. They would be clinging to the rocks, and empty ab shells would be hidden in the all the tidepools and pockets of water. The abalone are long…

Phil CollaDecember 17, 2013

Astrophotography and Night Scapes California Seascapes

Moonlight on Seal Rock, Laguna Beach, California

Seal Rock, a short distance offshore of Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach, is typically covered with many cormorants and at least a few California sea lions. I've made a number of dives at Seal Rock but had never made any effort to photograph it topside. Garry McCarthy and I did…

Phil CollaDecember 16, 2013

Astrophotography and Night Scapes California Seascapes

Big Corona Beach at Night, Corona Del Mar State Beach, Newport Beach

When I grew up in Newport Beach, I spent a lot of time at "Big Corona", aka, Corona Del Mar State Beach. Because this is a great place to take the kids, bodyboard and kick back in the sun, this beach gets crowded. Yachts sail by in and out of…

Phil CollaDecember 15, 2013

Astrophotography and Night Scapes Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla Seascapes

La Jolla Cove at Dawn, La Jolla, California

One of my favorite times to photograph in La Jolla is when night is just transitioning to dawn. Sunrise is till 45 minutes or an hour away. In December it can be chilly at this hour, but it is also quiet and, usually, still. The only people I see are…

Phil CollaDecember 11, 2013

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla Seascapes

Hospital Point Sunrise, Reef and Waves, La Jolla

Pre-dawn color is splashed across the clouds as small waves break over Hospital Point's distinctive sandstone reefs. A very long exposure makes the water look silky and blurred as it breaks over the rocks and flows back out to sea. Cheers and thanks for looking! Sunrise Clouds and Surf, Hospital…

Phil CollaDecember 7, 2013

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla Seascapes Surf

Surfer and Beautiful Sunrise on Hospital Point Beach, La Jolla

Each winter I try to add fresh and appealing images to my San Diego and La Jolla portfolios. I spent Thanksgiving morning on the rocks at Hospital Point. It was truly a sunrise for which to be thankful. I made two fine photographs which will look great printed at 24"…

Phil CollaDecember 2, 2013

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla San Diego Seascapes

Scripps Pier Sunset Perfect Solar Alignment, La Jolla, San Diego, California

SIO Pier Sunset with Sun Framed Within the Pier Pilings Occasionally the setting sun will be perfectly framed within the pilings the Scripps Institution of Oceanography research pier. This is what the perfect solar alignment through the SIO Pier pilings looks like -- it is a spectacular sight! Contact me…

Phil CollaMay 6, 2013

Beautiful Views of San Diego iPhone La Jolla Seascapes

Torrey Pines State Reserve Running Photos

It is for views like this that I run. I've been running for 35 years and will keep running until my body can't do it anymore. I estimate that I have run at least 32,000 miles (1.25 times around the Earth!) and it is views like this that keep me…

Phil CollaDecember 15, 2011

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla Seascapes

Torrey Pines Sunset

Torrey Pines State Park Sunset Tracy and I were treated to a spectacular sunset cloud show at the Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla recently. These two photographs were made just a few minutes apart. The first looks south along Black's Beach towards La Jolla, with the Scripps Institution of…

Phil CollaJanuary 25, 2011

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla Seascapes

Abstract Water Photo

This abstract water photograph is a blurred time exposure of the ocean surface in La Jolla. Abstract colors and water patterns on the ocean surface. Image ID: 20343

Phil CollaFebruary 6, 2008

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla San Diego Seascapes

Photo of La Jolla Cove at Sunrise

Check out the deep pink skies, it was a super sunrise the morning I shot this. Probably due to smog or something. This is famous La Jolla Cove, one of the jewels of San Diego and home to good diving and snorkling, bird and whale watching, and rough-water swimming. It…

Phil CollaFebruary 4, 2008

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla San Diego Seascapes

Photo of the La Jolla Cliffs at Sunrise

The La Jolla Cliffs early in the morning, under a pink sunrise. Marine Room restaurant is on the far left, and the famous caves are seen at the base of the cliffs. Check out the thousands of cormorants resting on the cliffs. They will eventually fly out to forage on…

Phil CollaFebruary 1, 2008

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla San Diego Seascapes

Black’s Beach Sunset

Black's Beach, famous for its isolation, surf and fashion sense, assumes a sublime evening glow. Viewed from top of the Indian Trail, north of the hang glider port. A bit of Torrey Pines golf course is visible in the upper right. The beach below was one of my favorite runs…

Phil CollaMay 2, 2007

Photographs of Namena Marine Reserve, Fiji Islands

The Spectacular Coral Reef Walls of Mount Mutiny, Bligh Waters, Fiji

Dendronephthya Soft Corals

Chironephthya, Fiji’s “Other” Soft Coral

Diving the Vatu-I-Ra Passage in Fiji’s Bligh Waters

Spectacular Sunrise in La Jolla

Moonlight Waves

Starlight and Moonlight on Little Corona, Newport Beach

Moonlight on Seal Rock, Laguna Beach, California

Big Corona Beach at Night, Corona Del Mar State Beach, Newport Beach

La Jolla Cove at Dawn, La Jolla, California

Hospital Point Sunrise, Reef and Waves, La Jolla

Surfer and Beautiful Sunrise on Hospital Point Beach, La Jolla

Scripps Pier Sunset Perfect Solar Alignment, La Jolla, San Diego, California

Torrey Pines State Reserve Running Photos

Torrey Pines Sunset

Abstract Water Photo

Photo of La Jolla Cove at Sunrise

Photo of the La Jolla Cliffs at Sunrise

Black’s Beach Sunset

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