Pelicans at the Sea

I do love those funny old birds, the pelicans, and I enjoyed photographing them at the Salton Sea.  I can't think of pelicans with out thinking of the poem by Dixon Lanier Merritt  "A wonderful bird is the pelican ... "   Although when I was growing up, my Dad always started it with "A funny old bird is the pelican, his beak can hold more than its belly can ... "   Does anyone else know this poem?

Return to the Salton Sea

Keith Skelton  held another Salton Sea workshop and I was excited to get back to do more photography.  Terry Myers came along, and we enjoyed hanging out with Keith and the other photographers for the weekend.

Sunday morning at the Sea was amazing, and my photos can't really share the total experience, the subtle color changes and sounds of the geese.  It was  worth getting up at 4:30 AM to get to our spot in order to experience this.  What a way to start the day!  

Agave americana

I was out in my yard, playing with a lens I haven't used in quite awhile & pointed it at the Agave americana.  The sun was low in the sky & I loved the strong shadows I was seeing.  Tonight on the computer, they seemed perfect for B&W.   What do you think?

I love the way the strong shadow plays against the sharp thorns, also like the subtle foot print (imprint) on the main part of the agave.   That's made as the new shoots are formed and start opening up.

I had fun experimenting with the lens!

Egrets at Santee Lakes

Another morning at Santee Lakes, this morning I was able to get a bit closer to the egrets.  Enjoy!

Great Egret

Great Egret

This Great Egret was in & out of the shadows, I was happy with this head shot.

Snowy Egret 

The Snowy Egret is missing part of his right foot, but it doesn't slow him down a bit!  Apparently he has been at the Lake for quite awhile.  I was surprised that I could get as close as I did, he didn't seem to be at all afraid.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for:  my family, good friends, and living in San Diego ... and today a Thanksgiving morning on the water thanks to San Diego Whale Watch.  We saw a humpback whale, two fin whales, three molas (sunfish) and approximately 200 Common Dolphins.  Going through many photos I took today, this one was a favorite.  The dolphins love to ride the bow of the boat & seeing this took me back to Baja days & sailing in the Sea of Cortez with the dolphins at the bow of our boat.  

It was a sparkling day out on the water!

PS  The naturalist on board was asked how she could estimate the number of dolphins we saw.   She explained that dolphin counts by scientists use the rule  that for every 1 dolphin on the surface, there would be 2 underneath.   Obviously they are hard to count (!)  but going by that rule, I'd agree.  It was awesome seeing them frolic in the sea & come greet the boat and play  (surf?) in the wake of our boat.   Thanks to the crew of the m/v  Privateer for going out on Thanksgiving day.

Santee Lakes

I woke up this morning & decided to go over to Santee Lakes for a walk.  It's been beautiful  here (80+ degrees) and the Lakes seemed to be a perfect place to walk & do some bird photography -- and I wasn't disappointed.  I'm posting 3 photos of ducks that I was able to ID -- many more to post, however I'm having trouble with their  IDs.

American Wigeon 

Blue-winged Teal 

Northern Shovelers

San Diego Zoo photos

Surprise -- a trip to the Zoo & I'm posting flower photos!   I met up with friends Terry & Mary at the SD Zoo, we did see and photograph some animals, and along the way the flowers.   I was quite impressed with the hibiscus flowers, they had to be at least 7-8" across.  Simply beautiful!

And the spider web, thanks to Mary's sharp eyes, I have a a photograph -- I had walked right past this!   And, of course, to complete the morning there, we had a nice lunch at Albert's.   

Last B&W (maybe)

Another one I really liked from the Paris trip.  I was actually photographing the pigeon as it was walking and pecking on the sidewalk, and not at all bothered by me.  We were both surprised when the man walked our way.  It was a lucky shot for me.

This is "as shot", no B&W conversion.

  I'd like to challenge Fay Henexson to share her B&W's.  

Another B&W (Day 6 ?)

OK, I know the "official" B&W Challenge is over, but I couldn't resist posting another B&W photo.

A day at Balboa Park is always a favorite place to hang out, and especially so when my two granddaughters from NoCal are in town.   Caught this moment while Ellery was having a quiet time, enjoying the fountain.  This was taken in April, 2012.

B&W Challenge, Day 5

One of my favorite photos from Paris, a few of us were wandering down an alley on our way to the Shakespeare & Company bookstore.  This waiter was inviting us in for a lunch at his restaurant & posed for the photo!

Final day of the Challenge.  Again, a thank you to Carol Moffatt & Maureen Murphy for the nomination, it's been a fun project!
 
I'd like to nominate Phyllis Houghton  to participate.

B&W Challenge Day 4

Paris again ...

B&W Challenge, Day 3

Another photograph from the Paris trip (2012):  a mime performing on a street behind the Basilique Du Sacré Coeur.  I took several of her, and this remains my favorite.  

B&W Challenge, Day 2

Another photo from Paris visit.   On one of our walks, I spotted this man in the park feeding the birds.   The cat patiently sat and watched.  

B&W Challenge on Facebook, Day 1

I've been challenged by Carol Moffett and Maureen Murphy to participate in the Black & White Photography Challenge on Facebook.   It's pretty straight-forward, post a B&W photo for 5 consecutive days & nominate another photographer.  It was a Challenge for me,  because I found it difficult  finding photos that converted well to B&W.  

Here's Day 1 of the Challenge  The photograph was taken in Paris 2 years ago.  

On the water again ...

Last weekend I was on the water at Mission Bay, photographing the annual Carolyn Nute Regatta.  The class boat is a Snipe and the Fleet 495 at Mission Bay Yacht is very active and had a great turnout this past weekend.  A few hardy sailors even showed up in costume.

Race Committee Barge complete with fairy princess. 

Succulent Pumpkins

Thanks to Laura Eubanks , a few years ago I learned how to create these succulent pumpkins.  I made a few last year & couldn't resist again this year.  I invited two friends & we had a great day creating our "masterpieces."  Thanks Laura for the inspiration!  

 

Nancy & Emy with their pumpkins.

Finished pumpkins!

Spanish Village -- COLOR!

I guess my theme yesterday was color.  I unexpectedly drove down to Balboa Park to see the new exhibit at the Museum of Art (Gaguin to Warhol) and stopped by  Spanish Village    to see the art studios.  Much to my surprise, areas of the ground are being repainted and I couldn't resist taking a few photos.  Thanks to all the artists who participated in the painting, in addition to doing your own art, you've created a wonderful brighter canvas to greet us as we walk into the Village -- it's fantastic.

More photos from our day at Bodie

First view from the parking lot.   

I'm still having a hard time believing I was really there,  snow in Bodie!    When we pulled in the park, the Park Ranger instructed us to park in the "back" lot ... kind of hard to find with the road covered in snow.   One of the participants had been in the park the night before & led the way ...  the walkway had been cleared for us down to the start of the houses & barns.




For those of you who have been in Bodie, you will probably recognize this old truck by the Shell gas pumps.   Loved seeing it again covered with snow!

Fall color in the Eastern Sierras 2014

This was a great surprise, because we felt we were too early to see any color.   This was taken at Lake Sabrina (two days ago) -- thanks to Cabby Bloss  for the information, she was a day ahead of us and texted info about locations.  

You'll be seeing a lot of reflections coming up, just couldn't stop myself  ;)

Intense colors and blue skies.  Loved the days there!

The web site for Lake Sabrina Boat Landing has a warning up:  "Watch out for deer & bear!"  Don't forget a jacket.

They go on to write, "It's that time, watch out for photographers standing in the middle of the road!"    ;)  

Eastern Sierras Roadtrip

Terry Myers & I have had a road trip planned for quite awhile on Route 395 (Eastern Sierras).  At the last minute  we changed the date in order to take advantage of a photo workshop (Betty Sederquist ) in Bodie.   Thanks Cabby Bloss for the info regarding the workshop.

We arrived in Lee Vining on this past Friday night, got up early Saturday for the 45 minute drive to Bodie & were in the park at 6:20 AM.    An unexpected storm brought snow (!) and it was such a treat to be there and see everything covered with snow.  I've been in Bodie with heat, rain, wind & now snow.    

                                                       
There was a beautiful quietness to the town because of the snow.  

Moonrise over Reno

Tonight is my last night in Reno -- my sister & I went up to a hilltop overlooking Reno & photographed the full moon (actually, it was the night after the full moon).  

We were a bit worried about the sky because of the smoke from the Yosemite fire, but I think the moon was much redder than it might have been because of this.  My favorite photo of all I took this evening.

Wild horses in Reno area

Sunday I hung out with friend Cabby Bloss -- we went to Reno's Open Studios & enjoyed visiting with a few of the artists, then drove out to an area that Cabby's photographed before where the wild horses hang out.   They are incredibly beautiful & not all that wild!   They came over to the car after the window was rolled down, but we quickly rolled them up & the gray mare stuck his nose right on the window -- curious guys for sure!    We did get out and walked around a bit and they are curious more than anything else.  Cabby said they are looking for food, so next time we'll bring carrots & apples.  

Dust bath!

"Help, let us in!" (iPhone photo)