Mexico!

I just returned from a wonderful trip to Mexico, and decided it was time to do a blog post (vs. Facebook).  I've shared a few images on Facebook, but will be sharing more here as I process my photos.   Hope you'll enjoy the wonderful "Hacienda Experience" with me as I post my photos.

Thanks to my friends CJ Middendorf & Rich Baker, I was invited to Eddie Soloway's  "Hacienda Experience."   We flew to Leon, Mexico, met up with our mutual friend June White (from Phoenix)  then were bused to Las Trancas and a bit of paradise here.   

The Hacienda Las Trancas  was our home for a week, and what a week.   Time to slow down, enjoy photography talk & shooting, great food and more slowing down, more photography, more food.  Margaritas and guacamole at 6 pm every day at the Hacienda, then dinner.  Life is good!  

Here's the start of our Hacienda Experience.   We pulled up to the entrance, unloaded people and luggage, then on to our rooms.   

Hacienda Las Trancas 

This is the courtyard,  with beautiful garden areas on either side, and our  rooms surrounding this beauty.     

Center walkway

Plenty of areas here & there to sit and visit with new friends.   It is just as comfy as it looks.  

One of the sitting areas. 

Happy New Year to all.

I hope 2016 brings you happiness, good health and wonderful experiences.

I joined up with the Pacific Photographic Society on 12/31/15  at the San Diego Zoo for a last day of photography in the (now) old year!   Just a few of my favorite photos from the day.

Ocean Beach kite surfer

Exciting afternoon yesterday  at the OB Pier with my two grandsons.  We went there to see the waves and were lucky enough to see this kite surfer.  He must have been out for over an hour, finally quit as it got too dark.   My grandsons were my two enthusiastic spotters:  as in "WOW, look at that", and "don't miss this shot"!   "Oh, grandma, did you get that jump"??    So much fun with them along as my photo buddies.

Here they are, Cole and Shane.

Kite surfer mid-jump. 

OB Pier

From the OB Pier

Regatta photos

The start of the race.  Countdown to the start, if a boat is over before
the final bell, that boat must do a 360 turn and go on from there.  

I'd like to share a few of my favorites from the recent Carolyn Nute Memorial Snipe Regatta (held at Mission Bay Yacht Club).

My son & daughter-in-law sail this class boat -- a  Snipe  (for more info click on the link).   I've been lucky enough to get on a committee boat and photograph several of their regattas.  This is always a fun one because some sailors wear costumes.   Elvis sailed with us this year!  

Rounding the mark, always looks chaotic but there are rules! 

Successful rounding!

Elvis sails.  

Shelter Island sunset

San Diego city front from Shelter Island.  I enjoyed a brief sunset tonight from Shelter Island.  I'll need to check this location out another day, the clouds were beautiful tonight!    Hope you all have a great week.

Ocean Beach Sunset

After being in the house all day and alternating between paperwork, more paperwork and unpacking (yes, still unpacking), I was restless and had to get outside.    Decided to head over to Ocean Beach for the sunset ...

Twp birds from Santee Lakes

It's fun to go back through photos taken last week at Santee Lakes, I found a few more to post (and could use some help on an  ID on these too)

Great-tailed Grackle ?