Northern Flicker

 Female at nesting hole

 Male emerging from nest

Male taking flight

About a week ago Don and I were exploring in Montana de Oro State Park when Don just happened to see some birds flying in and out of a hole in a tree. He identified them as Northern Flickers. It was getting late in the day and the light was fading, so we planned to return to the Park on another day just to photograph these beautiful woodpeckers also known as Red-shafted Flickers. When we returned we spent a happy afternoon watching and waiting for these elusive birds. Over the course of several hours we saw only 3 fly ins and outs. It all happens very fast. Usually the parent bird arrives and perches high on a nearby branch and then swoops in to enter the nesting cavity. After a few moments inside it peeks out - checking to see if the coast is clear - and then flies off in a flash. It is very challenging to get any clear flight shots. I'm very happy with what I did get. As always the best part is the 'being there' to enjoy and relish the experience.  

Finding Paradise

WINDOWS to PARADISE

For several years I have been trying to capture this photo. I have headed up to Cayucos to shoot the sunset through the old wooden windows next to the Pier multiple times. Sometimes I have been fogged out. Or the great clouds I was hoping for never materialized. I had a certain idea in my head of exactly what I wanted my image to look like. So when I took this photograph last December, I didn't think it quite hit the mark. It wasn't until I revisited the Pier recently and found that there is now a bright yellow volleyball net in front of the windows, that I realized that I might never have the opportunity to get the shot I saw in my imagination. So I decided to go back through my old images to see if just maybe, I could make due with one of them. I was shocked to find I had already taken my dream shot. How could I have missed seeing it the first time around? It was with excitement and pleasure that I worked and tweaked this image a bit to get just what I wanted. I think the image was there all the time, but now I was seeing it with new eyes. Sometimes I let my expectation for a perfect world get in the way of seeing what I already have.

A few creatures I found in Yosemite

 Marmot

 Swallowtail Butterfly

 American Robin

 Red-winged Blackbird

Squirrel

Yosemite is alive with a variety of different animals. During our visit there last month I was able to photograph a few of them. There is a story in my head and my heart for each of these creatures - where I was, how I felt, and the sheer delight I found while observing them.

Tioga Pass Road was already open for the season so we took a day drive up there to see what we could find. Near Lembert Dome I was very happy to see a whole family of Marmots going about their daily lives. We sat on rocks near their den and waited. It didn't take long for them to get used to us and we were able to be with them and take many (many!!!!!) photos over at least 1 1/2 hours. This handsome Marmot came right toward me and posed on granite rock nearby. I'm still smiling over the whole experience.

There were many lovely Swallowtail Butterflies in Yosemite Valley. But they never seemed to land. They were always flitting about from here to there. I felt extremely blessed when this light colored one landed on a plant close to me. It stayed there long enough for me move in closer and take several shots. It is the only one I saw land during the whole week we were there.

I had been trying to get a decent photo of an American Robin for days. True, I did have some shots, but I wasn't very happy with any them. On the last evening we were in the Valley, I took a walk with my camera along the trail going toward Camp 4. I found a most cooperative Robin preening. I was able to take a number of photos I'm happy with.

Ah, Red-winged Blackbirds. A common, yet striking bird with shiny black feathers and colorful red epaulets. In Spring they seem to be calling constantly. It was a joy to hear them.

These little Squirrels are F-A-S-T!!! This one and his companion raced up and down the trees in a blur of motion. I was lucky to get a shot of him at all.

Taking lots of photos and bringing home memories is fun. But the best part of any trip for me is simply BEING there - observing how everything in Nature fits together so perfectly - breathing in the whole experience -  finding my place in the Universe.



Return to YOSEMITE

 Bridalveil Falls rainbow

 Wildcat Falls

 Bumblebee and Dogwood

Dogwood and Pines

Oh, where to begin? Yosemite is always such a glorious experience and this trip was certainly enriching. For me returning to Yosemite every Spring for our Anniversary reminds me of all that is good and right in the world. It is written in the rushing water of the many waterfalls and the loveliness of the blooming Dogwood. As I wander with my camera, I try to slow down and tune into what Nature is saying. I am most alive when I forget about time and become one with my environment. My heart sings and I feel truly at peace. Yosemite is one of my Sacred Spaces.

Last May in Zion

Last year our plan was to celebrate our Anniversary with a grand trip to Zion, Escalante, Monument Valley and the Slot Canyons. Well, Zion started out okay, and then things fell apart. (see last year's post for the details) This past month I have finally taken the time to look at my Zion images and start to work with them. I just didn't have the heart to do it before now. I have been happily surprised to find a number of images I really like. We had some exceptional skies while we were there. The rain we had on and off really saturated the ground and made the red rock cliffs almost glow with color. One thing I remember well from that trip was how clear and clean the air was. Everything was incredibly vibrant.

This year we are returning to our beloved Yosemite for our Anniversary. It is a healing and sacred place close to our hearts. I am looking forward to the experience of being there again.



Limekiln State Park

Redwood Sorrel

Backlit Fern

Banana Slug

I took a day trip to Limekiln State Park a few days ago. It is located in the southern part of Big Sur along the  California coast. I had never been there before and wanted to see it before the State of California closes it next July. :-(  It is a magnificent place and includes everything from Redwood forests, fern lined trails, rushing streams, and even campsites right on the beach. It is tragic to imagine the loss for all of us if the State really does close it. The forest is rich and complex and host to vibrant ferns and plantlife. The creek's year-round water supply provides excellent habitat for diverse animals, including mountain lions, bobcats, squirrels, deer, foxes, raccoons and ring-tailed cats.

Beginning in 1887 thousands of barrels of lime were extracted, processed and exported from Limekiln Canyon. Four stone and iron furnaces were built at the base of a large talus slope eroding from a limestone deposit. Limestone rocks were loaded into the kilns, where very hot wood fires burned for long periods to purify it. The lime was packed into barrels, hauled by wagon to the coast, loaded onto ships and transported to northern ports for use in concete. Much of early San Francisco was built using the lime from Limekiln. Today only ruins remain of the thriving lime industry that existed here.

Something new for me

MONARCH BATIK

ILLUMINATED BUTTERFLY

The presentation on STYLE I did with two other "style chicks" a week ago was a great success. Each of us worked many hours getting everything ready for it. Afterward I received numerous thank yous and kudos from those who attended. I have to admit I'm glad it is over, but who knows, we might be persuaded to put it on again.....sometime in the future. 

We were hoping to inspire our attendees, but I found that I was inspired too. After the class was over, I tried for a different look to a few of my images by using a new plug-in filter for Photoshop I recently purchased. This filter does not work on every image, but it is addictive. I spent many happy hours playing in my digital darkroom. The bottom image was orginally a Sulphur Butterfly shot I took in Santa Barbara last Summer. After much play with my new filter I came up with a result I'm very happy with. The top image is a Monarch I photographed in my own backyard last year. I used a variation of the filter effect and then 'painted' the unfiltered butterfly back into the image. I encourage each of you to try something new. You might surprise yourself.