SURF SMELT FISHING

As a part of my ongoing project documenting sustainable seafood in the SF bay area, I recently photographed two fishermen, Mike and Kirk, fishing for Two x Sea.  They are using toss nets to catch surf smelt which are found along the coast from Southern California to Alaska.  The older man with the yellow jacket was there fishing with his grandson.  Looking through the photos I'm regreting that I didn't get his name or contact information to show him these shots... just maybe I can catch him out there again.

Surf Smelt Fishing With Kirk from Courtney Michalik on Vimeo.

NEW LANDSCAPE

Another long pause on the blog... apologies!  I have been working on a number of projects, personal and otherwise.  One of those includes updating my landscape portfolio and adding another portfolio which should be up soon!  As I looked through images from this last year I found this landscape from China Camp State Park and a seascape from Point Reyes that I took a couple months ago during a long, but gorgeous, 11.5 mile hike... Thought I would post them now.

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND

After only a week back in Michigan, I headed to the east coast for my cousin Pete's wedding.  After the wedding, my family went camping on Assateague Island in Maryland.  Although I think the images look peaceful and calm, they don't do justice to the ridiculous heat we dealt with during our time there!  The heat was so intense and overpowering.  My toenail polish actually began to melt.  I LOVE camping, but even I was getting a little exhausted by our shade-less site.  To distract us from the heat, and because my dad and Uncle Ron need to go fishing everywhere we go, we also learned how to fish for blue crabs using chicken necks.  It ended up being a highlight of the trip, we had a blast.  Thankfully we are all looking back on everything with laughter now... and I am happy that I came away from the experience with pictures I am truly happy with.

CAPE CANAVERAL

FLORIDA

I was able to briefly visit family and friends in Florida a couple weeks ago.  Most of the time was spent on the beach, hanging out, fishing, reading, and enjoying a few drinks.  I will be returning to Florida in June to work as the OWUSS Sport Diver Magazine publishing intern for 2011.  I'm very excited about the opportunity and you will be able to see more work from Florida in the months to come.