Hazel's first attempt at stand-up-paddling

I'm so proud of Hazel!   She saw her Uncle Dave's SUP board & said "I want to do that."   Uncle Dave gave her a little instruction and she took off.   We couldn't get her off the board!  

She gave rides to anyone who wanted to go along. 

Navigated tricky waters  ;)   

"I did it!!!!!"  

San Diego ... not a visitor?

This photo proves it, I'm a San Diegan now.  I was going for this beautiful succulent with shadow in the window (first photo), then saw my self-portrait (second photo) -- the labels & photo prove it.  I'm a San Diegan now!  And loving it!!
  

Paige ...

I picked up my granddaughter, Paige, from preschool yesterday and we drove to Spanish Landing to check the progress of the building of the San Salvador     Paige & I put our initials on part of the keel about 1-1/2 years ago and it is now part of the ship.  

Paige tried on some of the heavy head pieces that the Spanish wore and I was quick enough to snap this photo.

Where's the playground?  

We then went to our favorite playground only to find out that it had been taken down.  The only thing left is the whale and cement barrier.   We couldn't believe it!    Gone!!    She posed for this photo for me.  "Where's the playground?"   A passer-by said it had been taken down about 2 months ago.   We both hope they are going to replace it.  It's such a great place for a playground, and we've had some fun picnics there.

The  HMS Surprise  is back at the SD Maritime Museum.   She had been in dry dock being checked by Coast Guard and  routine maintenance done.  I was lucky enough to see her motor back to the dock.   Back "home" and ready for visitors,  so hope you'll come on down for a visit.

Sailing on the Top Sail Schooner Californian

 I was a Docent onboard the Californian  last Sunday, picture-perfect day for a sail and I couldn't resist taking a few photos!

Starting to furl the top sails.

Finishing the job.

Furling the sails:  At the beginning of the sail, crew members climb up to the top of the mast, unfurl the sails, then climb down.  This process is reversed at the end of the sail and my photos show the crew furling the sails at the end of the day.









Look closely in the last photo and you'll see one crew member still up at the top spar.   Keep in mind that the boat is still underway, and even on a calm day there is a lot of movement at the top of the mast!

Successfully coming down to the deck!

Dragons in Anza Borrego?

                                                           

Well, it must be true -- just look at these photos.   This dragon is part of the steel animal sculptures scattered throughout the desert in Anza Borrego  in  Galleta Meadows .  Night light painting was such a fun project.  I've never tried anything like this before and am completely hooked -- but I'm thinking I need to find things in San Diego to  "light paint" and photograph.    

Any ideas anyone?

Thanks Greg for the instruction, and Greg & Mike for handling the red light effects.   It was such a fun evening!  

More photos from Anza-Borrego

Ricardo Breceda    has created these  beautiful metal sculptures all over the desert, we stopped at sunset near the stallions and I shot this one.  I was trying  for this position, had only a few seconds to get it & was happy to see the results.


On this second photo, if you look in the distance, you can see the horses there, we were photographing them from this spot.  I liked the shadows we created.  This photo  was taken in color, but I thought was more effective in B&W.  Today was the last full day of the workshop.  Tomorrow morning we have time to do some early shooting, pack, one last meeting and then say good-bye.  Thanks Harold Davis  for a great workshop in Anza Borrego.  

More photos from Anza-Borrego -- Salton Sea today

Sunset at Salton Sea.  The colors were beautiful, as the sun set behind the hills.   I hope I did them justice!  

Salton Sea brought back some happy memories -- water skiing through the clear, sparkling blue waters, camping out, music.  What a sad change here.    

Good morning from Anza-Borrego

Mission Santa Ysabel Asistencia

Mass has been celebrated at this site,  Santa Ysabel Asistencia, continuously since 1818.  Originally, it was an outpost of Mission San Diego, and finally in 1828 a Mission was built here.  

Chapel and other buildings, including a museum.  

Chapel

The current chapel was rebuilt in 1924 after the original one collapsed.  

San Diego Zoo and the baby panda

A special viewing area for the newest panda cub,  Xiao Liwu.  Mom (Bai Yun) was there too, snoozing.  I wish I could be that relaxed!  Don't forget, the SD Zoo has a  Panda Cam .

A bit of color from San diego

Yesterday was B&W day I guess, today is color!  Maybe I need it to brighten up this gloomy, misty, rainy day we are having.  It was a fun weekend, renewing friendships made in Paris last fall and meeting some new friends.     Hope to see you all back in San Diego again.

Taken outside an artist's studio in Spanish Village. 

"Sea Dragon" sculpture on Harbor Dr.

What else do a group of photographer's do during Happy Hour?  

San Diego photo workshop

I'm starting to process a few of the photos from Valerie's workshop this past weekend.  It was great fun hanging out with everyone!  

Valerie at work.

                                

Maritime Museum at night

I picked up my friend, Denise, at the airport at 5 pm --  her commuter flight from LA was on time and her luggage arrived too.   Great way to start her visit!   We had dinner at the Bali Hai, then walked along Harbor Drive.  I took this shot, hand-held, ISO 12800 and was shocked at the clarity when I pulled it up on the computer.   If you look closely you can make out the blue neon sign (that's way across the SD Bay on Coronado Island) it says "Fly Navy".   Taken with my Sony NEX-7.