Cape Henry Lighthouse - Day 81

The ‘new’ Cape Henry Lighthouse was completed in 1881 is 157 feet tall, built of cast and wrought iron and contains a first-order Fresnel lens. This photo was taken from the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse about 100 yards southwest.

Old Point Loma Light

Built in 1855 the Old Point Loma Lighthouse at the entrance of San Diego Bay only operated for 36 years before being replaced. The lighthouse was constructed atop the cliffs on Point Loma with the light 422 feet above the water below. As a result, it was often shrouded in fog and invisible to the mariners it was intended to guide. So on March 23, 1891, the light was extinguished and moved to the New Point Loma Light just 100 yards closer to the shore but nearer the cold Pacific shore and clearer nights.

The lighthouse as seen from the Pacific side, Canon G15, 1/1600 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Looking up at the five foot tall 3rd order Fresnel lens from atop the stairway, 1/125 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Finally the view looking down the stairway from the top landing, 1 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

First Lighthouse

My grandson Robert climbed his first lighthouse this afternoon. He easily made the 191 steps to top of Old Cape Henry Light in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It was appropriate that his first lighthouse was Old Cape Henry, the first federally funded public works construction project of the United States of America which was completed in 1792. In this picture he anxiously awaits Grandpa to finish taking picture so we can climb to the top. Canon G1X, 1/80 sec @ f/16.0, ISO 200.

New Cape Henry Light

From 2010 Blog

- This is "New" Cape Henry light a blog update a few days later than I had promised. In the 1870s, concerns about the condition and safety of the Old Lighthouse at Cape Henry led to the construction of New Cape Henry Lighthouse in 1881. The new light is composed of enormous cast-iron plates bolted together and is the tallest cast-iron, fully enclosed lighthouse in the United States. This picture shows both the old and new lighthouses at Cape Henry. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 100.

Ocracoke Light

From 2010 Blog

- Built in 1832 the Ocracoke light is the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina. Ocracoke Island is one of the most remote islands in North Carolina's Outer Banks. It can only be reached by one of three public ferries, private boat, or private plane. Most of the island with the exception of the village of Ocracoke is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Hatteras Light

From 2010 Blog

- One of the most recognizable lighthouses in the country is Cape Hatteras light. Complete in 1870 with over a million bricks and at 198.5 feet high it is one of the tallest lighthouses. The light can be seen 20 miles away. The lighthouse was moved a half a mile inland in 2000 to protect it from the eroding shoreline. Canon 40D, 1/125 sec @ f/14.0, ISO 200.

Currituck Beach Light

From 2010 Blog

- Moving south from Cape Henry Virginia, the next lighthouse is the Currituck Beach light located in Corolla, North Carolina. This picture is taken from the grounds of the old Whalehead Club which is adjacent to the lighthouse. Built in 1875 the Currituck Beach light filled the remaining "dark spot" on the North Carolina coast between the Cape Henry light to the north and Bodie Island to the south. To distinguish it from other regional lighthouses, its exterior was left unpainted. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/500 sec @ f/13.0, ISO 200.

Old Cape Henry Light

From 2010 Blog

- Beginning today I will post a series of pictures of lighthouses I have visited. I love climbing lighthouses that are open to the public and that includes this one, the old Cape Henry Lighthouse in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This lighthouse is on the official seal of the City of Virginia Beach and was the first federal public works project authorized by President George Washington and completed in 1792. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 100. Tomorrow - new Cape Henry Light.

Old Point Comfort Lighthouse

From 2010 Blog

- The lighthouse at Old Point Comfort in the Hampton Roads Harbor was built in 1802. It sports an unusual color pattern of white, red and green and is located on the grounds of Fort Monroe. The lighthouse is just outside of the fort's moat and massive stone walls whose construction was overseen by a young army engineer named Lt. Robert E. Lee. The Fort and the grounds around the lighthouse are open for visitors and it is well worth the trouble of going through the security check point to see them. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/200 sec @ f/14.0, ISO 200.

The Blimp - the Blimp!

From 2010 Blog

I went to take a picture of the Hillsboro Inlet lighthouse while we were Florida. Unfortunately you can't get to close to it since it's surrounded by a private club. So I set up across the inlet to take some shots when the Goodyear Blimp Spirit of America came cruising by. The blimps are based in nearby Pompano Beach. The gull and I enjoyed the show. Canon 7D, 1/320 sec @ f/16.0, ISO 200.

Cape Henry

From Cape Henry

Landmarks of Our Nation's Beginning is on the City of Virginia Beach's official seal along with the original Cape Henry lighthouse and the First Landing Cross. This picture shows the two Cape Henry lighthouses. The old lighthouse on the right dates from 1792. It was the first federal construction project under the Constitution. The "new" lighthouse on the left was built in 1881 and remains in use today. Canon 40D, 1/160 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 100.

122 - First Order

From 365 Project

This first-order Fresnel Lens is at High Street Landing in Portsmouth Virginia. It began service in 1896 as part of the Hog Island Light off the Great Machipongo Inlet on Virginia's Eastern Shore. This type of lens was invented in 1822 by French physicist Augustin Fresnel. Rather than merely reflecting light, it used hundreds of prisms to bend and concentrate the light in a powerful beam.
Canon 40D, 1/3200 sec at F/4.0, ISO 160, focal length 75mm.