Trabuco Outdoors Blog

What is Vendanta?

To be honest, I didn't know until I visited the Ramakrishna Monastery in Trabuco Canyon. The monastery is open for visitation between 9am to 11am and 3pm to 5pm. You can can drive there, but my visit last week was via O'Neill Regional Park. Heading from Vista Point to Live Oak trail will take you near the entrance to the monastery.  In addition to the monastery and bookstore, there is a one mile long nature trail on the grounds. This is definitely a place I'm going to need to come back to again to really understand both philosphically and photographically.

Driving directions and additional info is available on their web site 

Organic vegetables, grown in this garden are also sold at the monastery

What is Vendanta? "Vendanta teaches that man's real nature is divine, that the true object of human life is to unfold and manifest this divinity and that truth is universal. Vendanta accepts all the religions of the world and reveres the great prophets, teachers and sons of God, because it recognizes the same divine inspiration in all."

Along the nature trail is a shrine to each of the world's major religions.

Heading back on Vista trail after a great sunset.

 

Once in a blue moon...we get a red moon

Here's a shot of the lunar eclipse from Crystal Cove early yesterday morning. This shot was taken at 6:08am, 36 minutes before sunrise. Normally, taking a photo of the full moon in a single exposure one-half hour before sunrise would be impossible unless you were willing to give up detail in the moon. The difference in brightness between the moon and the landscape is just too great and exceeds the dynamic range of the camera's sensor (the range of light it can capture in one exposure). I was able to get just two shots of the moon before the light from the sunrise overpowered the moon's diminishing moonlight from the full eclipse.

Of course I had to hang around Crystal Cove and get a few shots of the beach and the old cottages before I left.

 

 

 

And one from Laguna Beach on the way back home.

 

6 tips for fall color viewing in the Santa Ana Mountains

1. Late fall is best
Fall colors don't usually appear before November in our canyons.

2. Come during "bad" weather.
After (or during) a rain is the best time. The moisture saturates the leaves and also the color. Trabuco Creek Road is dirt of course, so you will need high clearance vehicle (and possibly 4x4) if it's raining. A sunny day following a storm can also be a great time.

3. Adjust your expectations.
This is not Vermont. On the other hand, if you come in December, it'll probably be 65 degrees outside and not 22 degrees.

4. The canyons are great,but don't forget about the chaparral.
The buckwheat and deerweed turn a golden bronze in the fall. The temperature is far more comfortable than the summer and the bugs and flies are gone. This is a great time to hike the ridgelines.

5. Don't come too late.
A strong Santa Ana wind or early winter storm can vacuum the fall colors from the canyons. The prime season is typically between early-mid November and the end of December.

6. Get out of the car.
Good locations such as Trabuco Creek trail require a short hike (3 mile out & back).