Making the best of what I was given

DUNE STEPS

I just returned from a photography trip to Death Valley National Park. I had envisioned layers of pristine dunes with golden light illuminating them. I did have some nice light and there were some beautiful clouds. But I also found a multitude of other people taking their enjoyment on the dunes. They left lots of footprints. I would have loved to take this shot without the footprints, but that was not what I was given. So I decided to use them as a leading line into the image. Sometimes we have to adjust our expectations to meet the reality of the situation. Maybe this wasn't the shot I hoped to get, but it was still a glorious afternoon on the dunes.



Finding my STYLE

 ANEMONE ROCK

ANEMONE SUNSET

I am working on a presentation about developing a personal PHOTOGRAPHIC STYLE that I will be showing on April 1st. It is for the Morro Photo Expo to be held in Morro Bay starting on March 29th. As I work on this project I have had to look more closely at my own photos and try to identify the common themes or elements I repeatedly use over and over. Both these photos have a strong foreground and I have placed the horizon high in the frame. I have used a wide angle lens to create a feeling a depth and I took advantage of dramatic lighting to enhance the scene. I think both images are representative of my personal photographic style. Most of all, I always try to "see with my heart" and become emotionally involved with my subject. I have a deep reverence for our Central Coast and all of Nature. I hope you experience that feeling when you look at my photographs.



Monarch time on the Central Coast

MONARCH CLUSTER

We are so fortunate to have beautiful Monarch Butterflies overwinter here on the Central Coast. I recently discovered another cluster of them very high up in some pine trees near San Simeon Creek. They bunch close together at night for warmth and only begin to fly if the temperature rises above 55 degrees. With their wings folded they are hard to see and just look like a group of brownish leaves. But with the warmth of the day the butterflies begin to open their wings revealing their distinctive orange and black colors. Then one by one they take flight. It is glorious to see them flying against the blue of the sky. I never grow tired of this spectacle. It always makes my heart lift and soon my spirit  is flying with the butterflies. Let your spirit fly too.

Beautiful beginning to 2012

SWEET SURRENDER

At last I was in the right place at the right time to capture one of our glorious Central Coast sunsets. The evening started out cloudy and gray, but I'm glad I waited to see if there would be enough of a break on the Western horizon to let the sun shine through and light up the sky. About twenty minutes after the sun set a lovely glow illuminated the clouds. It was a joy to experience.

I have so much to be thankful for already this year. Getty Images saw my photography on my Flickr site and approached me to submit some of my photos to their stock agency. I did and now I have 11 images for sale with them. Woo Hoo!

Happy New Year - 2012

Sanderlings

Monarch caterpillar

Don and I took a short trip up the California coast to Pacific Grove for a few days after Christmas. There we found a flock of Sanderlings feeding on the beach. However, there were numerous people and dogs also sharing the beach. But I got the idea that perhaps this group of birds might be a bit more tolerant of our approach to photograph them. When they were disturbed, they took flight but only went a short distance before returning to the ocean's edge to feed again. One time after a dog had disturbed them, I was able to catch the flock in flight as they moved down the beach a bit. Even though the birds were fairly co-operative, I found photographing them to be very challenging.

Monarchs have returned to our back yard again this year to lay their eggs on our Milkweed plants. In my second photo I photographed a Monarch caterpillar resting on a Mildweed pod. I like the juxtaposition of the caterpillar representing new life and the Milkweed pod with it's seed 'parachutes' that represent the end of the life cycle. Or perhaps the Milkweed also represents the  possibility of new beginnings.

I wish you a joyous NEW YEAR. May your troubles fly quickly by. Remember that even in less than ideal situations there can be blessings. If you look you will find them. And may you always be open to the possibilities of new experiences. Be on the lookout for small graces that come your way. Every day is a gift. Carpe Diem. 

The difference a few minutes makes

Sunset at Morro Strand

These two shots were both taken at Morro Strand just minutes apart. I find watching how the light quickly changes facinating. The feeling each image creates is totally different - the golden sunset is warm and joyous, while the second shot is more reflective and has a poignant feeling to me. I like both renditions. I never tire of watching the sun set into the Pacific Ocean. 

May this Holiday Season bring you both Joy and a quiet sense of Peace.

Thanksgiving

LAST LIGHT at MORRO STRAND

I have so much to be thankful for every day. Living here on the Central Coast of California I am surrounded by amazing beauty and a plentitude of wildlife. I don't take any of it for granted. In life's lottery I have won the jackpot. I wish that each of you may find the same blessings and opportunities.

The other night when I took this photo I was hoping for one of those rosy, glowing sunsets. That didn't happen. But what I was given is equally wonderful - wispy clouds reflected in calm water and a golden mist just creeping in around the base of the Rock as the sun was setting.