Pigeon Point Anniversary

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The Anniversary Lighting of the Pigeon Point Lighthouse
November 13, 2004

Every November, the Coast Guard celebrates the birthday of Pigeon Point Lighthouse by lighting its giant first-order Fresnel lens. (New photos of the 2004 lighting are available here.)

This video contains highlights of the 2004 lighting. You will need QuickTime (or compatible player) and a fast network connection to view.

Notes on the video: During the first minute, you'll see me (Charles Jackson) setting-up several cameras on the hill in front of the lighthouse. The scene then switches to the rear of the lighthouse, where you can see (and hear) the ocean, and the tower's aerobeacon. At four minutes into the video, the aerobeacon is extinguished, and (after a pause) the First Order Fresnel is lit. (Listen for the oohs and aahs. The lens is held still for five minutes for photographers, then it begins to turn.

The video also has some very nice close-up shots of the illuminated Fresnel lens.

Nightbeacons photographers: Donald Weaver, Charles Jackson

Last modified: February 28, 2013

All images Copyright 2002 - 2023, Charles Jackson

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