John Wiley
By John Wiley
Having explored scenery by air in every U.S. state, every province in Canada, the Bahamas, and New Zealand, this region is our favorite place for scenic flights. Nearby we have deserts, including the lowest elevation in the U.S. In fact within sight of Death Valley we can also see Mt. Whitney. We also have forests, rivers, beaches, and of course the Channel Islands. There’s no place like Home!
Here are a few of our favorites from our scenic Sunday flight, starting with Santa Barbara Point where people stood at the fence watching surfers and taking in the spectacular view of the harbor, beaches and mountains. From offshore looking back at SBA there’s a great view stretching from UCSB and Goleta Beach beyond the front range to the San Rafael and Sierra Madre ranges. Coal Oil Point toward the NNE is a good view of Devereux Slough. Looking toward the East from there we enjoy the coast. In places the mustard grass is blooming again, hopefully preceding a blush of wildflowers. Shall we seek, snap and share some colors in the hills?
What expectation of privacy do you think you have when hanging out a public park or public beach? None, absolutely none, is the answer. If you are so concerned about people seeing you, it’s probably best to stay inside your own home.
Notwithstanding, if you are in a public park or on a public beach, you have no expectation of privacy from passing airplanes. And yes, once you leave your home and are in a public place, people are free to view you for their own amusement. It’s called “people watching.” Also, if someone sees you from afar and takes a photo wherein you are unidentifiable (as in from a passing plane), then there is nothing wrong with that, nor should there be.