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My first encounter with this incredible structure was back in 1984 when I was stationed at Ft. Ord near Monterey California.

Each year around the third week of November they light the Pigeon Point Lighthouse and let the 24 main beams remain still for about 5 minutes so photographers can take long exposure pictures of the lighthouse. Afterwards the beams begin to rotate so that to a distant ship, they will see one flash every 10 seconds. I have been to this event several times since learning about it a number of years ago. Each year is different and more and more photographers show up. Unfortunately due to repairs on the lighthouse the main Fresnel lens has been removed and can be viewed in the building next to the lighthouse. Until the Lighthouse is repaired the events are postponed. Hopefully we will see it again soon.

It's truly impressive when lit. This image has been used on billboards, magazines, books, banners, pamphlets and numerous websites.


In 1853 the Clipper Ship Carrier Pigeon ran aground on rocks off the coast and sank. After several other ships followed suit it was decided to build the lighthouse was finished and lit for the first time on November 15th 1872. This event is celebrated each year with the lighting of the main lens. During the rest of the year, curtains block the view of the lens.

A new LED based beacon has replaced the Fresnel Lens and the Coast Guard beacon so it's not quite as impressive now as it was a few years ago. Hopefully the Lighthouse will receive funding and be restored. If you visit, please do bring a few dollars to donate it is greatly appreciated by all us photographers. If you cannot make it to the lighthouse but would like to help, please visit the official site at
www.calparks.org/programs/resources/pigeon-point.html.

Cheers,
- Darv
LiquidMoonlight.com
© Darvin Atkeson
California Photography

Tags:   Pigeon Point Lighthouse lighting fresnel lens darvin atkeson liquidmoonlight.com beams coast sea california sunset ocean pacific long exposure clouds costal Photographer outdoor Scenic Darv 灯塔 岸标 등대 灯台 カリフォルニア州 캘리포니아 美国加州 海滩 바닷가 ビーチ

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An event is scheduled for the 140th anniversary for the lighthouse's first lighting which will be held on November 17th, 2012. The free even will include tours, information booths, local authors, life music and refreshments. They will be showing a video of the restoration project.

Unfortunately since the main Fresnel lens was removed last year this years event will not feature it's usual photogenic lighting event. The Fresnel lens is currently housed and on display in the Fog Signal Building next to the lighthouse.

This is an image from the event held two years ago and the original post (below) regarding the event.

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As always the lighting of Pigeon Point Lighthouse was a stellar event. The evening was warm and clear with just enough ocean mist to get the brilliant beams of the lighthouse to absolutely glow. Unlike my previous visits to the annual lighting this year we were treated to a mostly clear sky with a half moon which as you can see in this image lit the sea foam below. A few high clouds lit the sky but still allowed you to clearly view the stars above. The waves sparkled in the moonlight as they crashed upon the rocks below my vantage point.

It wasn't looking like I'd make it down to the party this year to see the 138th lighting of the Pigeon Point Lighthouse and though I got a very late start, and had to make a mad dash down the coast, I made it just in time to see the last hour of the celebration. I had expected the place to be packed especially since last year's celebration had been canceled but upon arriving found the grounds had really cleared out. I had no problems finding a good position from which to shoot. I was supposed to hook up with some fellow Flickr pals but upon arriving found out I didn't have cell service.

This was the last shot I took just prior to the main light from the Fresnel lens being doused for another year or perhaps longer. Rumor on the grounds was that the reconstruction on the lighthouse would begin next year and might mean the next celebration could be canceled for the next several years. I do want to see Pigeon Point Lighthouse restored to her original glory but hope they can also find a way to hold this annual event.

Enjoy!
Darv

© Darvin Atkeson
LiquidMoonlight Photography

Tags:   Pigeon Point Lighthouse Light House California Landmark Tourisim State Pacific Coast Sea Event Ocean Moonlight Darv Darvin Atkeson LiquidMoonlight.com Anniversary Lighthouses Famous Tallest Fresnel Lens Beams Beam Park Seascape Lighting Reflection San Mateo San Mateo

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See my comment below for a detailed description of how the image was created.

In 2001 a 200 pound chuck of steel and concrete from the top of the aging Pigeon Point Lighthouse plummeted to the ground prompting the Coast Guard to close down the Pigeon Point Lighthouse tours to all but select visitors. To prevent further damage a steel cable was looped around the lighthouse and quickly began to drip rust on the pristine white walls of the tower. A chain link fence was erected around the lighthouse to keep visitors a safe distance. Even so the stunning beauty of California's tallest lighthouse still attracts thousands of visitors and photographers each year. This is an artistic rendering (mostly cleaning of the rust and removal of the chain link fence, of how Pigeon Point Lighthouse will likely appear once the planned restoration is finished.

© Darvin Atkeson
LiquidMoonlight Studios

Tags:   Lighthouse Pigeon Point California Coast Coastal Pacific Ocean Sunset 24 Beams Fresnel Lens Beach Beaches Travel Seascape Landscape Restore Restoration Art Artistic Rendering Photoshop Guard San Francisco Santa Cruz Sea Tallest Light House Darv Darvin Atkeson LiquidMoonlight.com Desktop Wallpaper lighthousetrek

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I went to make a minor change to my system and as a result have spent the
last two weeks rebuilding my system. I went with Vista 64 this time out.
Fortunately I keep my images backed up to an external drive and while going
though them I came across this image of Point Arena. I applied a bit of
clarity reduction in Camera RAW mode and liked how it looked.

Point Arena Lighthouse stands as a lone sentinel along the California coast
line. It's 115ft to the top and one of California's tallest lighthouses.
It was destroyed by the same quake that hit San Francisco in 1906. This all
cement structure was built in its place and began operations in January of
1907. Although many people drive in off of the Pacific Coast Highway, few
stay to take pictures for very long as it's usually pretty windy. If you
plan to go, take your tripod. This image was taken from the cliffs just
south of the tower an hour or so before sunset.

-Darv

LiquidMoonlight.com
Darvin Atkeson
California Photography

Tags:   Point Arena Lighthouse Mendocino Coast Pacific Ocean Mist California Costal Beach Cliff GoldenDiamondBlog Landscape USA U.S. America 美国加州 カリフォルニア州 캘리포니아 바닷가 ビーチ 海滩 灯塔 灯台 등대 岸标 LiquidMoonlight.com

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Explored at #5

Cruise down California's Pacific Coast Highway on a crisp clear moonlight November evening and if you are lucky you might chance a glimpse of arguably the most stunning lighthouse ever constructed. Perched on a rocky bluff 148 feet above the sea Pigeon Point Lighthouse stands guard over the grave of several ships most notably the wayward Carrier Pigeon for which the area is named. When lit the main Fresnel lens sends out 24 separate beams in a breathtaking star-burst pattern. The light beams extend out 27 miles to the horizon and light up the coastal foothills. Each November the grounds are packed and good parking is a far-fetched dream as photographers and lighthouse fans descend upon the small park. The park sports several buildings that now act as a hostel where work weary travelers from far and near take refuge from the constant breeze blowing off the sea. A patio behind the lighthouse is often the coveted spot from which to watch whales, otters, sea lions frolic in the surf below. Ships and sailboats often pass at sunset headed back in to port. GPS, radar and a cheap spot light have since made the first order Fresnel lens obsolete but the lighthouse beckons back to a time when things were slower and the sea was part of life along the coast of California.

Darv
© Darvin Atkeson
LiquidMoonlight

Tags:   Lighthouse Pigeon Point California Coast Travel Vacation Ocean Pacific Surf Fresnel Night Coastal Beach Explore Darv Darvin Atkeson LiquidMoonlight.com 灯塔 燈塔 Phare Leuchtturm 등대 Маяк Vitinn 灯台 Faro Φάρος Teach Solais منارة Latarnia morska Farol

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