Almost a year ago, I made my first trip to Big Sur California. I had seen photos and heard rumors of Big Sur and its natural beauty, but I had never taken the time to explore the location.
Upon first arrival, it was difficult to accept this area as having any relation to California. On the west side of the highway, the turquoise waves crash against steep cliffs. The chunks of earth peppered along the coast are a reminder of the land that once stood, but had fallen to the power of the sea. Many of these blocks have been worn and battered by the elements to the point where their bases have been hollowed. These unique arches are a test of time and our world’s natural power.
To the east of the Highway stand the 3,000 foot Santa Lucia mountains. The terrain eliminates the possibility of metropolitan development while offering a pristine habitat for flora and fauna. The lush mountains are home to waterfalls, rare orchids, and several types of redwood trees.
My first trip was spent documenting some of the well known sites of the area such as McWay Falls and Garrapata Beach. But since my visit in 2010, I had heard of rare Light that only occurred during a specific time of the year. I had been told during one week in November the sun sets in the horizon aligning with one of the area’s arches. Not only did the season play a factor in this occurrence, but so did the weather and tide patterns. My most recent photo adventure was to find this dramatic light at Big Sur.
