A walk in the park ...

Yesterday my neighbor & I went to the Safari Park for a morning walk.   We checked out the Ephyllium Greenhouse (not too many  blooms here), then walked up the hill to The Baja Gardens where there are lots of plants in bloom now.  The mathilda poppy is a favorite flower and the bush here at the Park was huge and full of flowers.  I was lucky enough to get the bee in action on this one, plus some other little critter on the flower.

Abstract flowers

Whenever I'm photographing flowers, in addition to more traditional shots,  I always try for the abstract.   It's all about persistance for me, what looks good on the camera LCD, doesn't always look good on the computer screen.  So I'll shoot a lot, playing with different focusing spots,  then go look at them on the big screen.   And repeat, many times, until I find one or two I'm happy with.  

I'm posting two tonight that worked for me.  

Playdate with Paige

Wednesdays are my days with Paige.  I usually give her a few choices of activities for the day, and somedays  we go out and explore, but today she wanted to hang out and do "art projects."   Today she wanted to use a cardboard box that Mom had in a back room.  With Mom's permission, we made a "room" and loft  out of this box.   The process was fun -- I was more an observer (& photographer) and "helper/assistant".    Paige knew what she wanted and most of the time gave clear direction.  But she was, also, open to suggestion.  I loved her use of color throughout the process.  That was her choice!  She loved the steps to the loft that I suggested and wanted to decorate them.  Can you see the skylight we have over the loft (Saran wrap)?   So many special touches.   A fun project -- fun stuff!   I love our Wednesdays  together!

Peggy Sue's Diner

On our way home from Las Vegas a few weeks ago, Terry & I stopped for lunch at a 50's diner (Peggy Sue's), it's about 10 miles north of Barstow on the I-15.   Worth a stop if you are in the area, food was OK, but photo opportunities terrific.

Our waitress was happy to pose for us by Elvis.

Walk on the beach

My neighbor, Lilian, and I walked the  beach yesterday.   The beautiful blue skies and puffy clouds, though, soon turned to gray, and the wind picked up.  It didn't slow us down, we put our jackets on and kept right on walking.

Heart-shaped rock was a lucky find.  

Day lily profile

Just one photo tonight, I really liked this photo of the day lily series I've been working on.

Hope you do too!

More calla lilies

Variations on a theme:  calla lilies!   How can I walk by a flower market and not bring these home?

So glad I did, because the light was good this afternoon in my macro studio (also known as the kitchen), and I enjoyed photographing these beauties!

iPhone Hipstamatic, Dali