First of a three part series of photos from Lick Observatory located on Mount Hamilton in San Jose, CA.

A coastal homage from the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum — where ocean legends, vintage boards, and crashing waves converge atop the cliff, celebrating the timeless rhythm of California surf culture.

In the alleyways between seed and shadow, one bird keeps the peace. Cross him, and even the wind won’t carry your name.

A shoreline portrait from Coyote Point — where sailboats cut across the bay, planes rise toward the sky, and the wind carries whispers of adventure through the eucalyptus and sea spray.

A twilight moment at Pismo Beach — where the sun sets in warm light, waves quietly touch the pier, and old neon signs light up, adding a soft glow to the calm evening.

Meet Flinch, the red-winged blackbird who can face the sky, stare down the wind… but still can’t decide if stepping off this wooden post is a heroic leap or a terrible idea.

A calm look at Morro Bay — where life around the harbor moves at an easy pace, seals rest on old docks, and sunsets fill the marina with soft colors.

A tiny bird with oversized opinions. Anna is a comic-style portrait of a fence-dwelling critic who’s had just about enough of the humans walking by. Part sass, part serenity — a feathered ode to judgment in the quiet corners of the park.

A warm sunset at Oceano Dunes – the sky glowing gold and red, the wind calming down, and the sand catching the last light of the day.

A loud and dusty day at Oceano Dunes — engines rumble, tires spin through soft sand, and the beach turns into a giant playground of noise, speed, and grit.

A neurotic blackbird named George rants his way through Fremont Central Park, turning everyday bird life into comic chaos.

A study of nature’s design at Oceano Dunes — where wind sculpts endless waves of sand, pelicans trace the shoreline in formation, and the landscape shifts with every breath of the Pacific.

Steam, steel, and timeless scenery—these postcards from Niles Canyon Railway capture a journey through history along one of California’s most scenic rail lines.

Every family has a troublemaker. In this gaggle, it’s Nugget — loud, restless, and proudly unruly.