Setting Sun

One of my favorite spots in San Diego is the top of Palomar Mountain. Usually hike it’s woodland trails with the plan of ending our day at the State Park entrance parking lot which overlooks Pauma Valley to the Northwest. One of the best places to watch the sun set.

This day about six weeks ago my eldest son and I arrived in the park late afternoon only to discover once we hit the trail heads around Doane Pond and a mile in, the once woodland beauty was now intersecting logging roads. No warning from the park ranger at the gate. Part of the Scott’s Cabin trail is now a logging road. Of course my son and I got disoriented with all these new ways to go, but eventually came to a hill top that overlooked the park ranger(s)’ house. So we headed down their driveway and hoofed it on the main road back to our truck. A little disappointed. Did bump into another ranger and she said it was needed for fire control. They did get hit hard in the 2007 fires. Oh well, the day wasn’t all lost because we did get to head up to the entrance parking lot vista to watch and digitally capture the setting sun.

This is my first attempt at blending. I am now using 0.0025% of what PS CS4 can do. Give or take a few percentage points - my math might be off ;). Blended for fg and tree with sky/clouds and to help tone down the sun star.

50D, probably GND filter used, ISO 100, F16 two exposure blend.

Comments/critiques welcomed. Thanks for looking.