Try this one ... for 2011

Thanks Kerrie for pointing out that my link didn't work. This one hopefully will ...

http://2011photoblog.blogspot.com/

However, wait until 01/01/2011 until you try it.

Happy New Year to everyone

May your new year be full of love, health, happiness and beauty.

I'm continuing my photo blog at 2011PhotoBlog.com -- hope you'll follow me there. Look for me there (with the same photo to celebrate the 1st.)

Lighted Boat Parade -- Mission Bay -- movement!

I hung out at the Mission Bay Yacht Club yesterday with grandkids (son & dtr-in-law too) -- the kids all made gingerbread houses, Santa & Mrs. Claus came to visit (arrived by a beautifully-decorated large power boat), and all the kids had presents delivered by Santa & Mrs. Claus and had a chance to sit on their laps.

The lighted boat parade started around 7 pm. I was on the docks with the grandkids and dtr-in-law Barb -- movement everywhere: boats, camera & dock. Loved the reflections in the water from the sparkling lights decorating the boats. Here's a few pics to commemorate the day.

Follow your heart ...

Pat did. She's from Santa Cruz, retired in 2006, sold her house, gave stuff away and bought "Phoebe McGee", a 22 ft RV. She's put many miles in/on her new home and has many adventures to share. You can follow her blog at ADayintheLifeofaGypsy.blogspot.com

Fortunately, she was going through San Diego on her way to the Baja and had time to stay a few days. BTW, that's TaZzi, her traveling companion. We tried to get TaZzi to pose with the Santa's hat, but she was more interested in tackling it ;-)

Safe journey my friend, thanks for taking the time to stop in San Diego. I've enjoyed your visit here.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

My new house is just 10-15 minutes from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (formerly called Wild Animal Park). Friend Pat (from Santa Cruz) is visiting for a few days while on her way to Baja and we had a free morning, so off we went to the Park. While walking by the chimpanzee area, a volunteer was telling us about their feeding times, and how the chimps have their places they sit while waiting for the trainer to throw them food. This young male sits up on a huge rock, catches tomatoes as they are thrown to him. They eat about 40 lbs. of vegetables each day. Today was tomatoes and celery day. They are offered a different veggie each day.

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/park/

Spider Mums

Love these flowers, the texture, color, spidery arms. Spider mums symbolize different things in different countries -- in the US they convey "elope with me". They are the national flower of Japan and a chrysanthemum adorns the crest of the Japanese Imperial family. For the Chinese, the mum symbolizes nobility. Quite an emblem.

I combined the photo of the mums with a texture photo.

Another photo from Balboa Park

The flowers are always beautiful in the Botanical Building -- this past visit there were orchids and plenty of mums. Here's my photo for today's blog. I especially liked the contrast of the while/light purple mums with the very dark foliage.

Walk at Del Mar CA beach

My neighbor, Lillian, invited me to walk (low tide) at a beach in Del Mar. Just an easy 30-minute drive from our homes, easy parking during the week, and a beach inhabited mainly by gulls. I haven't found my bird books yet, but these might be Hermann's gulls (red beaks)? Overcast, but no wind, made for an easy walk at low tide. Temps in the low 60's. Life is good.

Another photo from Balboa Park

I'm playing around with some filters in Photoshop.  The watercolor filter brought out the beautiful colors in the background on this one.

watercolor filter used

Balboa Park photography outing

Met up with friend Terry for a photo morning. We visited the Botanical Building, Museum of Photographic Arts and a great lunch at a nearby restaurant. It's so great to be in San Diego. Thanks Terry! Here's my shot of the often-photographed Botanical Building.

I'm still "here"

Sorry for this long silent period.  I've just moved physically -- and am now happily getting settled in San Diego with the usual transition stuff -- unpacking, waiting for AT&T (8 AM to 8 PM) for a land-line & internet, waiting AGAIN for AT&T for internet (I was in the wrong "port" in some office and it couldn't be changed until the next day ), more waiting.   Big Sigh!!!!!

Meanwhile, son David & dtr-in-law Barbara are hosting the Carolyn Nute Regatta.  David is also sailing in it, with friend John, as crew.   I've been on the water for two glorious days photographing the boats.  Twenty-five Snipes raced and I tried my best to get a photo of each one.   Day 1 was a bad day for sailors no wind (but good for a photographer), 5 knots to start the race (required), but then  the wind dropped to under 5 for the rest of the day.

Day 2 was better.  In spite of rain, the front finally moved on leaving us with sunshine and good winds  from about 10 AM on. 


Snipes are heading home.

End of the day (Topaz filter used)

Focusing on the mark.  Loved the way Topaz filter pulled out the colors on this photo. 

It's been a great move and I'm happy to be in San Diego.

Blazer

My brother-in-law is restoring his old Blazer (should have asked him the year but forgot).   It's a great car and I loved this vintage app on my iPhone. 

Motivational words ...

Open Artist Studios in Reno this weekend.  My sister & I went to Linda Yaxley's multi-media studio for a visit.  We met Linda years ago doing a glass art work demo on the River Walk area of downtown Reno.  She's branched out and is now doing fiber arts (felted pieces), polymer clay, and her glass work.  Her studio has many artists who come to give classes and is so much fun to visit. 

Check out her web site at http://www.lindayaxley.com/    This photo was taken in her studio.

Sunflowers

Another vintage look with the Picture Show app

iPhone photo

These roses were taken from my iPhone and processed with an named "Picture Show" Holga look.   Fun stuff!  I liked this look, the roses are an old variety and I felt the Holga filter added to the vintage look. 

Half Moon Bay again

Here are favorite photos from the "perfect beach" day.

Hazel with sand castles.

Ellery digging holes. 

Loved the seaweed on this beach!

Half Moon Bay

Over a week ago I took my granddaughters (ages 5 and almost-7)   to the beach at Half Moon Bay -- this was the last day of summer for them, school started the following day.  We had a great outing and found this beach in Pillar Point that they declared "a perfect beach."    Lots of seaweed on the beach, including a clump of sea palms.  

Palo Alto Duck Pond

Hazel & I had a morning together and went to the Duck Pond.  It's a favorite place to visit and we weren't disappointed today.  She loves the long walk way to the observation platform.  I loved the young Night Herons.  

I love Hawaii.

 My late Auntie Mildred loved Hawaii and has visited there since the early 40's.   She has always said that this headpiece was  placed on her head by Hilo Hatti -- it's one of those family stories that could be true!   Her first documented trip to Hawaii was in 1946 or '48  on the Lurline ship.  She even clipped out ads from a magazine. 

This photo montage is for Auntie Mildred.  The photo in the heart-shaped lens is my Auntie Mildred, taken in the 50's on a beach in Honolulu.

FInally posting ...

I haven't posted for a couple of weeks - -I've been busy, packing/sorting/cleaning.  In just about a month I'll be moving south to San Diego, closer to one son & dtr-in-law and 3 grandkids, and much closer to the ocean.  Yay!   Finally feeling like I can take some time for photography again.   I did a bit of yardwork today and had my Canon G11 handy -- I bought this used about a month ago and have been very happy with the results, plus it's a great size to put in my backpack or purse. 

I took this photo of the praying mantis, hand held, 400 ISO, F3.5.    He was very patient and posed (OK, I know he was trying to camouflage himself) but I like to think he was smiling for the camera  ;-) 

One more from Huntington Lake

Barbara, this one is for you,  thanks for your comments.

I love shooting reflections and couldn't resist this one. 

Ready for a change?

Thought maybe you all had enough of the Huntington Lake photos -- althought if there are any requests, I have many, many more  ;-)

I just finished a class with Carol Leigh re photo montage work.   Came up with this image using a photo from Woodies on the Wharf, texture and a peeling wall from Cuba.

It's so much fun and so addicting. 

Comments always appreciated. 

One more flower photo ...

I loved walking through the lupines (Huntington Lake)

Wildflowers seen on Indian pools hike

On the Indian Pools hike (Huntington Lake area) we saw quite a few wildflowers.  The white flowers top left are (I believe) Indian rhubarb.   I can't find the yellow ones in my guides, so any help would be appreciated. 

The Western azaleas (to the right)  were still in bloom and beautiful.  Sitting on the ground by the river, the fragrant scent was lovely. 

What a wonderful day!    

Thanks to Marianne who identified the sego lily (posted a few days ago).  

Hike to Rancheria Falls, Huntington Lake

Incredible hike to the falls. The grandkids did very well.  Just getting up to the falls was a workout, but they went even farther, up and over the boulders, then Cat & Hazel climbed down, while the rest went up.  If you look closely in the upper right you'll see a small green spot -- that's Ellery's green t-shirt.  Hazel and Cat are in the lower left. 

David, Barb and kids stayed kind of in the middle.

I'm amazed that all the grandkids made it to the water.

I stayed at the end of the trail taking the photos! 

Huntington Lake sailing

Home again after a great week in the High Sierras.  This weekend was the "Snipe"  racing at Huntington (our second weekend there).  David and Barb sailed fast & earned a 1st overall (out of 5 races)  in the PCCs (Pacific Coast Championships).   The kids are on the dock cheering Mom & Dad on to "sail fast."     David & Barb are in the boat with the red numbers. 

High Sierras Regatta ( our 1st weekend at Huntington)  -- David was racing Thistles, this is a favorite shot as the  boats are rounding the mark.  David's boat is the one on the left with the blue spinnaker.  They finished 4th overall for the weekend. 

More views of Huntington Lake area

No posts the past few days, have been out exploring.  The photo of the wildflowers was taken on our Indian Pools hike -- can anyone help identify these flowers?   I don't have my wildflower books with me.

This photo was taken at Mushroom Rock lookout.  David & Shane are enjoying the view!  More photos to come ...

This area is so beautiful, we're out in the mornings on different hikes, picnic lunches, then back to the lake for kayaking, swimming and just playing around in the water. 

Kayaking on Huntington lake

Kayaking on Huntington Lake, another great day in paradise.  This was shot with  my iPhone and sent to the blog.  Don't you just love technology?

Huntington Lake -- annual visit

Huntington Lake is east of Fresno area, up in the beautiful mountains here.  Weather is perfect, 80's during the day and a bit cooler at night.  Sailing is great -- that's David (son) in the Thistle with his crew.  Regatta today and tomorrow.  Meanwhile we're enjoying some great hiking and tomorrow kayaking and swimming at the beach.

Preston Castle

Went to the Preston Castle (Ione CA) with Viewpoints Gallery folks.  Four hours is just not enough time to do it justice, but I tried.  Here's a photomerge image of the castle.  I'll post more images on other days as I work on them.    The Castle was built in 1894 and used as a home for juvenile delinquent boys.  The first prisoner was a 12-year-old boy who would have gone to San Quentin if the castle hadn't opened.  Bricks were made at San Quentin and Folsom Prison. 
      Check out this link if you'd like more information. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preston_School_of_Industry

Change of pace

I've been cleaning out old files, boxes, etc., and found a tutorial to make a "planet".  It was fairly quick & easy, starting with the panorama of the San Diego skyline taken a few months ago -- and I came up with this planet.   Fun and a welcome change from dusty, dirty old boxes!

One more try

Posting another photo from Hawaii (Buddhist temple grounds), just to try again and see if I can link this blog to FaceBook.

Another Hawaii photo

and a test blog. A friend helped link my blog to FaceBook, so in theory, when I post here, it's supposed to also go to FaceBook. Keep your fingers crossed.

This photo was taken at the Buddhist temple we visited. I loved the bare tree trunks.

Happy Fourth of July!

Father and son ...

Another photograph from "Woodies on the Wharf" Santa Cruz: matching father and son woodies.

"B" is for beach

Wandering around Capitola last weekend I photographed this "B" on a door of a cottage.

Capaitola Wharf

Early morning walk last weekend, love the cool, overcast mornings.