Best wishes for a wonderful 2014

More whale watching photos

More whale watching photos from our afternoon with Adventure R.I.B. Rides.   Cap'n Ray told us that the gray whale has two blowholes (vs the humpback with one).  Their spout (or blow) can reach up to 15 feet, and their blow is heart-shaped!     I really felt lucky to have captured one of the blows at the right time to show the heart-shape.   Didn't realize it until I saw it on my computer screen.  So very  happy to have this photo!

Disclaimer:  This heart-shaped "blow" was NOT Photoshopped.  I just cropped the photo & sharpened a bit, but nothing else was changed.

As we headed back in, we cruised by the bait barge & saw the sea lions & birds hanging out.  Grabbed this photo of the pelican as it was thermoregulating  -- follow the link for  more info about this behavior.

Whale watching today!

My sister & brother-in-law are here from Reno & wanted to go whale watching.  We went with Adventures R.I.B. Rides based in  Harbor Island.   The cool thing about this trip was the small boat & only 6 passengers.   Captain Ray gave us a good ride & we saw many gray whales.  This sequence shows the gray whale diving.  You can also see the "footprint" made as they start their dive -- that's the very smooth part of the water in the lower part of the photo.

Posting just a few tonight, ready for bed after being out all afternoon on the water.

Sunset last night

I'm excited because I've found a pretty good place to photograph sunsets that's just 5-10 minutes away from my house.    This was taken last night.

I was on the Piedras Pintadas Trail  & will definitely be going back &  explore all of it during the daylight.   It's just one small part of the San Dieguito River Park area, including a "Coast to Crest Trail".

Morning in my garden

I've been braving the cold mornings (well cold for San Diego) and going outside in the garden with my camera.   My property goes up to the purple flowers (Mexican Sage), that gorgeous rock is on my neighbor's property.   Thanks to  Laura Eubanks, an amazing landscape designer.  Check out her web site   Design for Serenity.

Reflected light in the garden ...

My backyard is east-facing and I love to watch the sunrise.  A few days ago was a "bonus" day --  I noticed that due to the low angle of the sun, light was reflected from the sliding glass doors behind me, onto the front of the  plants.



The bright intense colors of the succulents is due to the reflected sunlight.  It's real -- they were not Photoshopped!

The front plant is an Aeonium sunburst, taller plant is Euphorbia tirucalli "Sticks of Fire"

Love this time of day!

Change of scenery: from the ocean back to the land.

Last week I met friends from out of town (Cabby & Mary) in Oceanside and, after a nice lunch, we spent the afternoon at the Old Mission San Luis Rey.   This is my second time at the Mission and I enjoyed returning there.

Last photo of the day

B&W conversion of one of the arches

 The first photo was taken at the end of the day and I was happy with the lighting and the clouds.   Just after I left, however,  the sunset turned into one of the most spectacular sunsets I've seen !!!!!
I was frustrated, though, because by then  I was sitting on the freeway, no place to pull off to shoot it, just had to sit, creep along in commute traffic and try and enjoy the view.  

 

Sepia conversion

                                                       












Hope you enjoy the photos of the Mission.  Here's a link for more information:   Old Mission San Luis Rey

End of the day ... heading "home"

I'm still processing photos from last Sunday's sail on the tall ship Californian.  After a wonderful day on the water, the "Star" returns to her home on San Diego's waterfront.  This was two shots combined in Photoshop using their PhotoMerge feature.  I loved the colors we saw as the sun was setting.

Two more photos from the "Star of India" 150th celebration

The photo above shows the "Star" as seen through the rigging on the tall ship Californian.


The dolphins came to play and help the "Star" celebrate her birthday.  I was surprised when I saw this photo on my computer screen, I didn't realize I caught the dolphins as well as the "Star".

Firing the cannons ...

More photos from the sail on the Californian yesterday.  On our weekend sails, at the end of each day  the canons are fired in salute to the "Star of India" when she is tied up on the dock.  Because the Star sailed yesterday, we fired them out on the water while we were near her.   There was a remembrance service onboard the Star ... honoring lost sailors at sea.  Those passengers and crew on the Star ended their service by tossing flowers on the water.  When that was done, we fired the canons.

Here are a few photos showing the gunner (Chari) priming the canon, then the fire & smoke.  

Star of India's 150th birthday sail

The San Diego Maritime Museum is celebrating the 150th birthday of the tall ship  "Star of India"   She was built in the Isle of Man in 1863, and launched five days before Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
I was on the tall ship "The Californian" today as we sailed with her.  It was actually more of a drifting day due to low winds.   No matter what the winds, it was such a treat to see her out on the water with all sails up.   Here are two photos, one at the beginning of the day, the second as she was being escorted back to the docks by a tug.

More photos from the Colombian tall ship "Gloria"

 

The first photo shows the sailing vessel "Robert Seamans"  They are a research training vessel stationed in the Pacific Ocean, registered to Woods Hole MA.  Photo was taken  looking through the flags flying on the Gloria.

Climbing up.

The other two photos are of the Gloria.   The cadets all climbed up to their positions on the yards -- it was an amazing sight seeing all the cadets up like this.    They sang the Colombian national anthem, saluted the Maritime Museum and waved to all of us on the docks as they (literally) sailed off into the sunset.  It's hard to see, but the cadets were wearing the colors of our flag.  I was told that it was their custom to wear the colors of the country they were visiting.

If you look closely, you'll even see a cadet standing at the top of the mast.

Kite flying day ...

Well, they were trying to fly the kite at Mission Bay Yacht Club last weekend.  I can't believe how many times the kids ran up & down the beach in their attempts to fly the kite.  Of course I was taking photos ... yesterday I wondered "what if ... "   What if I ran these 3 or 4 photos through the app "Auto-Stitch"  How would it deal with the running kids?

I've done successful panos with my iPhone & AutoStitch at this beach before, but usually people are sitting or standing.   So here's what happens with running kids ... love it!

ARC GLoria

We've had a new tall ship near the Maritime Museum --  The "Gloria" from Cartagena, Colombia (SA) has been here for 5 days, welcoming visitors onboard.  Quite an impressive sight on the waterfront.   If you'd like more info, follow the link Gloria.

 Photos were taken tonight as it left San Diego, next stop Panama, then home.  Some of the cadets have been on board for 9 months, and are ready to be home.

What you are seeing up in the rigging are the cadets.  And atop each mast, another cadet.   It was very impressive as they sailed away, singing their national anthem, music playing.  They were waving & saluting the Maritime Museum and the many people on the docks who came to see them off.

Another sunset ...

This one was taken tonight at Sunset Cliffs Dr., Pt. Loma.   Looks like I'm specializing in sunset photos  ;)

Long overdue post

A few days ago I went for a walk at Solano Beach (low tide) with a neighbor and we experienced a very  beautiful sunset.  Soft muted colors and wonderful reflections.   All photos were taken with my iPhone 4s.

October 1st

On Sunday my friend Carol Davis & I went to the SD Botanic Garden (formerly Quail Gardens).   It's always a treat to visit there and we enjoyed seeing all the changes since our last visit.  Here's a shot I took -- a lucky photo, because I was holding the camera high above my head, trying to manually focus & keep my fingers crossed all at once  ;)

Can anyone ID this guy?  

Exploring Oceanside

My friend Tere & I took off for Oceanside this morning.   A morning walk on the pier was fun, checking out surfers and fishermen.  On to the marina for lunch and more walking around looking at boats and shops.  We drove to the California Surf Museum and looked around at all the surfboards and memorabilia.  

Our final stop was the Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia.  Referred to in their literature as the "King of the Missions."   First, I was shocked to learn that there was a mission in Oceanside.  Then as we drove up, was surprised to see how large it was.  It really is a beautiful, well-restored mission.

The Mission was founded in 1798 by Fr. Fermin Lasuen (patron of the Franciscans).    This Mission was18th in the chain of all Missions & was named after the King Louis IX of France.  

Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, Oceanside 

Back in my garden again ...

I was hosing things down tonight after the hot day and was surprised to see this little guy in my garden.

Praying mantis 

Also found in my garden is the Opuntia cactus.  Stay away from it, just moving the small rocks away from it (to look for the label) gave me small cactus spines in my fingers!  

Opuntia basiliaris, UCR Botanical Gardens

The Opuntia is also known as a beavertail cactus.  My sister gave this to me when I first moved in.  I love the heart-shaped cactus and the color!   Thanks Carole!

Festival of Sail ... a few more photos.

I love reflections, and one morning early, down at the waterfront, these were too hard to pass by.   Tall ships, water, reflections, my favorite kind of subject to photograph!  

And, here's one for Carol L.

Paint blobs on the Navy's barge.   Always thinking about you, Carol.  ;)

Festival of Sail -- last day

It was a fun 4-days of tall ships, people, music, food, and for me, plenty of photo opps!   Here are three taken today, our final day of the Festival.

"Fire!"

Spars. 

Reflections.  

 

The first photo was one I've been trying for, every time they fire the canons!  I've always wanted to capture that glow from the fire.    Lucked out today.  

SD Maritime Museum Annual Festival of Sail

They're here, the tall ships are here!   They sailed into the bay this morning & I photographed a few of them.  The Festival of Sail officially begins Friday, so come on down to the waterfront and join in the fun!   Today the Californian led the parade (the smoke is coming from their guns they fired.)

Californian

The  Robert C. Seamans was one of the vessels sailing in.  Check out the link to see the read more about this vessel.  They run an undergraduate program abroad.
For more information about their SEA program, follow this link:   http://www.sea.edu/

 

Back in my garden again.

I was at my computer this morning, glanced outside and saw a raccoon in my garden (again)!   My camera wasn't on my desk, and as I slowly stood up to reach for it, the raccoon ran away through the agaves and down the slope to the neighbor's yard.  Since I had my camera and it was still overcast outside, I decided to photograph a few of the new succulents Laura Eubanks is planting here.    Check out her website:    www.designforserenity.com

She is an artist using succulents as her medium.

I'm referring to my garden now as the "jewel box" with pockets of gems here and there.  I'm loving the color & texture she has chosen.  I'm sure my mermaid is happy in her new spot too!