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  ;-)