Since 1946 when the first Blue Angels flight demonstration team took to the air, more than 156 million people have been thrilled by their heart-stopping aerial artistry.

As part of the U. S. Navy, the Blue Angels are carrier-qualified pilots, but, as the title of this work implies, they spend most of their time near the shore. Since 1973, the Blue Angels had flown the lightweight A-4 Skyhawk, a small but highly manoeuvrable machine.

Of this stunning work, artist William S. Phillips says," 'Shore Birds at Point Lobos' draws on artistic license for its unique perspective. Federal and state laws require all aircraft to maintain 1500 feet clearance above this area of coastline for environmental reasons. However, since a painting will not harm the delicate environmental balance of the area, I have given the viewer a low-level pass over the crashing surf and dramatic cliffs of the Point Lobos State Park.

"For the 1987 season, the Blue Angels have traded in their faithful old Skyhawks for new F-18 Hornets. 'Shore Birds at Point Lobos' is my farewell to the fabulous crews that flew and maintained her."