Full moon

Last post of the month, it seemed appropriate to take the full moon rising over Reno NV. I'm still learning about these night shots, and fortunately have a great place to practice from my Dad's back yard.

Any guidance on shooting the moon will be appreciated!

Coffee Shop

Love the sign "Open till we close."

Roots

While in Balboa Park with grandson Cole, he wanted to walk down Palm Canyon. We crossed over a bridge and walked down a foot path -- very beautiful walk. I spotted the roots on this gorgeous tree. Minimal conversion needed to turn it into a black and white.

Spring is here.

Another photo from my drive north on Hwy. 99. In the San Joaquin Valley all the fruit trees are blooming. So beautiful.

Warning!

Tagers will be shot! This warning sign didn't do any good, as this abandoned restaurant is completely covered with graffiti. Found on Hwy. 99 heading north, near Tulare.

No parking allowed

No parking on Fridays. I envisioned some little man walking along sweeping this street ;-)

Well, it had been a long day of driving and I guess I was really tired.

End of the line

Barstow CA, end of the line for this car.

The London cousins

My sister & I are in Palm Springs for a reunion with our two London UK cousins. They were commenting on the "big pin wheels" so we pulled over on a side road, jumped out took a group photo! Carole (my sister) on the left, Jean & Trish "the cousins". We are thoroughly enjoying our reunion.

Shadows

This photo was taken a few days ago when my grandson, Cole, and I were in Balboa Park, Spanish Village. I love the "tiles" they have painted on the cement. It's a village of artisans, glass blowers, jewelers, weavers, painters -- lots of fun things to look at and demonstrations to watch.

Purple

Taken at Spanish Village in Balboa Park (San Diego). Couldn't resist -- my favorite color.

Girl in pink

My 2-year-old granddaughter, Paige, stood still for a few seconds to let me photograph her in this hat. She's a girl-on-the-go and always trying to keep up with her two big brothers.

The hat is from the 40's or early 50's and belonged to my late Aunt Mildred.

Tarantula

Recent guests at a birthday celebration for my 6-year-old grandson included John, the reptile man, with his snakes, turtles, walking sticks, cockroaches and a tarantula. My son, David (this photo), let the tarantula climb on his hands. More pictures to come later, including one with Cole and the tarantula hat!

San Diego Zoo

I'm in San Diego for Cole's 6th birthday celebration. Today I met with Pat Flannagan, Diane Dupuis-Kallos (from Montreal and 2 degrees weather), Terry Meyers & CJ Middendorf. We went to the San Diego Zoo and enjoyed 70+ degree weather. My favorite pics came from the panda area. Here's two from today. Enjoy!

Gardening

We were cleaning up the backyard and my grandson Cole found a snail. He was watching it carefully as it crawled up to his hand. New gardening gloves made the day!

San Diego

Missed two days of blogging , one was due to driving 9 hours from Sacramento to San Diego, then yesterday, trouble connecting to the internet :-(

Meanwhile had a GREAT day with 6-yr-old grandson, Cole, visiting Balboa Park. This shot was taken in Spanish Village (artist's studios). We had a great day of photography (both of us).

Front and back

One from the archives. Remember those droopy gerberas? Well, here they are again -- front & back.

Enjoy!

Rosemary

The rosemary is blooming in my backyard -- the ants are happy. (105 mm macro lens used. )

Salt and Pepper grinders

Desperation tonight, didn't want to dig into the archives. I decided to share these salt and pepper grinders. I love them -- and they really work!

First, the more informal portrait.

And, here's the more formal portrait ;-)

Tulips

Tulips (from Trader Joe's) ... spring must be coming soon. Isn't that what tulips mean?

Glass beads

I came home from Linda Zimmer's house (the glass bead maker) with a few beautiful beads to try & photograph. Many, many shots later ... here's one that I can post. These little things are really difficult for me to photograph. Each bead is so different, each seems to be a little miniature landscape. I've enjoyed each one.

Orchids x 4

Played around today with my iPhone camera and an app -- apropriately called "Quad". I liked this one with the orchid.

Shadows

No shooting today, but looked at my Cuba photos and found this one and did some cropping. I shot it because I liked the shadows. It was taken at our hotel pool in Trinidad, a beach resort area.

Mushrooms

Visited the High-Hand Conservatory (Loomis CA) today (the photos of that old International pickup were taken there). They have a great nursery, gallery and lunch. These glass mushrooms were for sale. Loved the colors.

Glass beads

I had a great day today -- I had lunch with a woman I went to high school with in Los Angeles. We live just about 45 miles apart here in Northern California -- but haven't seen each other since high school. She is a bead maker and showed me several different techniques and made about 3 beads. Of course I took a few photos!

Winter scene

On my way home from Reno (Hwy 80 east) I always admire this particular tree. Usually traffic is flowing 65+ mph -- today it was down to maybe 30 mph because of road repairs. I had my point-n-shoot on the seat and used it. This was shot through a dirty window. There isn't anyplace to stop and shoot this scene or I would have done it years ago, so I feel lucky to have this one.

Does anyone know what kind of tree it is?