Pismo Beach

My progress south continued Tuesday afternoon. My next stop was Pismo Beach, a great little town 10 miles south of Morro Bay. For those many of you who follow my visual journey, you'll remember that in early November, I and others from the photography club visited the Monarch Butterfly Preserve in Pacific Grove. The butterflies were few and difficult to spot, and I ended the blog by saying I wanted to go back when there were more. Then I discovered that Pismo has it's own butterfly preserve and the current population numbered in the thousands. I temporarily bypassed the beach and drove straight to the preserve. This is the photo I couldn't get in PG.

The Monarchs make an incredible journey, from as far away as Canada, across the Rocky Mountain and Sierra Nevada ranges, to spend the winter in balmy Pismo Beach. This Pismo location holds the largest colony of Monarchs in the country. They huddle together in Eucalyptus and Pine trees until the temperature warms, and then they flutter about in the sun and pose for individual and small group portraits. The blue sky provided some wonderful background color.

After several hours, I left the butterflies and drove into town. The 1,200 foot pier is at the center of Pismo's beach, fishing and surfing activities. This pier is HUGE, wide with many outcroppings for viewing and fishing. Spending the night in Pismo allowed me to leisurely explore the town and photograph the sunset. Many others were on the beach with cameras in hand (on tripod) with the same goal in mind. The only difference was, they all left as soon as the sun disappeared. I stayed until there was just no light left in the sky.

The reflections were spectacular.

The next day (Wednesday) was again clear and beautiful, and I was on the beach soon after the sun was up to continue photographing the pier. There is something about piers that I find fascinating.

I liked this forest of pilings

The surfers at Pismo don't jump off the pier (It's a long drop to the water.). They walk and paddle out to the breakers. It seemed like a perfect day to ride the waves.Finally I had to tear myself away from Pismo
and continue on my way south.
Christmas and my sister were awaiting my arrival.