Fire Fighter Helicopter returning from a drop over the wild fires in Oak Glen.

Location: N34.0628 W116.995

Santiago Peak popping out of a layer of smog over the Los Angeles Basin.

Location: N34.1101 W116.9539

Shot from San Bernardino Mountain towards the San Gabrial Mountain Range.

Location: N34.1263 W117.0139

Thousands of seals resting at the beach north of Los Angeles.

Location: N35.41134 W120.87275

Location: N34.03089 W118.43951

One of many crazy rollercoasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain. A fun place if you aren't scared of speed, sharp turns and upside-down positions as well as don't mind standing in line a lot.

Location: N34.42078 W118.59243

A chipmunk is enjoying the magnificient view from the top of San Gorgonio Mountain, also known locally as Mount San Gorgonio, or Old Greyback. It is the highest peak in Southern California at 11,499 feet (3,505 m), located in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

Several trails lead to the broad summit of San Gorgonio Mountain, which rises only a few hundred feet (100 m) above the tree line. Any route requires well over 4,000 feet (1,200 m) in elevation gain, with "Vivian Creek Trail" being the shortest but steepest at 16 miles roundtrip / 5600' elevation gain.

You will need a (free) wilderness permit to hike in any part of the San Gorgonio Wilderness, which can be obtained at the local ranger stations.

Location: N34.10507 W116.83295

Last round of the mens' crit. in the 2009 Redlands Bicycle Classic

Location: N34.05434 W117.17962

Every spring in the desert east of Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park comes to life and adds spots of color to the otherwise almost colorless place.

Location: N34.01466 W116.10278

A tourist is trying to spot whales passing between Los Angeles coast and Catalina Island during the spring migration, in what appears to be his first experience with binoculars (notice the lens cap).

I thought this picture was very fitting for my first CDP.

Same day I was lucky enough to catch the glimpse of a blue whale blowing air out of its blow hole followed by a raised tail fluke.

Location: N33.590 W117.879