2014

The orange, velvety "stuff" especially noticeable on trees and rocks of the shadowed north-facing slopes at Point Lobos is a green algae named Trentepohlia. Its orange color comes from carotene, a pigment which also occurs in carrots, which mask the green of the chlorophyll. The growth of this algae does not harm the trees.

The orange, velvety "stuff" especially noticeable on trees and rocks of the shadowed north-facing slopes at Point Lobos is a green algae named Trentepohlia. Its orange color comes from carotene, a pigment which also occurs in carrots, which mask the green of the chlorophyll. The growth of this algae does not harm the trees.

The Monterey cypress, is a species of cypress native to the Central Coast of California. The native range of the species was confined to two small relict populations, at Cypress Point in Pebble Beach and at Point Lobos near Carmel, California. These cypresses, which formerly extended over a much wider range, withdrew to these fog-shrouded headlands as the climate changed with the close of the Pleistocene epoch 15,000 years ago. The outermost trees surviving in the teeth of salt spray and wind, their roots seeking nourishment in cracks and crevices, mirror the forces of nature and time. They are medium-sized coniferous evergreen trees, which often become irregular and flat-topped as a result of the strong winds that are typical of their native area. They grow to heights of up to 40 m in perfect growing conditions, and the diameter of their trunks can reach 2.5 m.

The Monterey cypress, is a species of cypress native to the Central Coast of California. The native range of the species was confined to two small relict populations, at Cypress Point in Pebble Beach and at Point Lobos near Carmel, California. These cypresses, which formerly extended over a much wider range, withdrew to these fog-shrouded headlands as the climate changed with the close of the Pleistocene epoch 15,000 years ago. The outermost trees surviving in the teeth of salt spray and wind, their roots seeking nourishment in cracks and crevices, mirror the forces of nature and time. They are medium-sized coniferous evergreen trees, which often become irregular and flat-topped as a result of the strong winds that are typical of their native area. They grow to heights of up to 40 m in perfect growing conditions, and the diameter of their trunks can reach 2.5 m.

The iconic Point Lobos area is geologically unique and contains a rich and diverse plant and animal life both on shore and in the water. Called the "greatest meeting of land and water in the world" by landscape artist Francis McComas, Point Lobos is considered a crown jewel in the California state park system. The geological history of Point Lobos describes the rocks that create the headlands and inlets that make Point Lobos famous.

The iconic Point Lobos area is geologically unique and contains a rich and diverse plant and animal life both on shore and in the water. Called the "greatest meeting of land and water in the world" by landscape artist Francis McComas, Point Lobos is considered a crown jewel in the California state park system. The geological history of Point Lobos describes the rocks that create the headlands and inlets that make Point Lobos famous.

The iconic Point Lobos area is geologically unique and contains a rich and diverse plant and animal life both on shore and in the water. Called the "greatest meeting of land and water in the world" by landscape artist Francis McComas, Point Lobos is considered a crown jewel in the California state park system. The geological history of Point Lobos describes the rocks that create the headlands and inlets that make Point Lobos famous.