I went to Alcatraz and Angel Island on Monday with Pam - our first time there (we moved to CA from MI 18 months ago). It was truly amazing; both locations are steeped in history and legend and photo ops.

Alcatraz is, of course, the notorious maximum security prison which used to hold the worst of the worst. Angel Island has had several incarnations, but maybe the most famous was as the Ellis Island of the West. Pam’s Chinese grandparents were processed there as immigrants.

I’ve decided I need to spend a night shooting some of the old ruins at Angel Island. They are magnificent. Most were for military use; some were built during the Civil War. The island is only accessible by boat, but Pam and I will camp there and rent some bikes to get around with my gear.

Here are some shots I took today. All except the last image were shot at Alcatraz. Alcatraz is very photogenic, but I saw nothing I wanted to (or could) shoot at night for my Alley series. If I was willing to spend close to $1000, I would get access to better locations, out of tourist range. Angel Island on the other hand will be a playground!

same tree, different lens

Lots and lots of birds at Alcatraz. Cool to photograph, but damn! their poop was everywhere!

One of the abandoned Civil War buildings at Angel Is.