Animals – A Photo's Worth

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #150 Let’s Get Wild

For this week’s Lens-Artists Photography Challenge, let’s get wild! Dianne is talking about Mother Nature untouched and untrammelled, allowed to get on with her work without human help or hindrance.

Looking through my images I am more inclined to capture images with human interactions. My travels haven’t taken me far from home.

Squirrels take up residence in the trees.

And a dragonfly lands on a bush in my backyard!

I did manage to take a trip to the Island of Kauai with some of my photo friends.

A wild discovery at Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael, Ca.

Sorry, this wild blog may seem a bit scattered. My very special doodle, Charlie is in the hospital. His liver is not working to its best. The doctors are trying to figure this out. HIs numbers are quite unexpected for a such a young dog. Think good thoughts that Charlie will be home with me soon. We have never been apart.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge 148 Spots and Dots

This week the challenge takes me into my abstract/design library of images. Leya asks us to, “recognize and enjoy the different interpretations, meanings and importance of these two little words. Spots and Dots. Because even if they are small…they can make a big difference.”

As a photographer I am always looking for repetition. Here are some dots I spotted.

This is a swingin’ Hot spot, maybe?

Blu Nightclub inside MontBleau Resort in Lake Tahoe.

Now spots can be thought of as a favorite spot. This coming week I am going on my first trip since CoVid. It is our 50 + 1 anniversary. Last year, well you know, there was not much of a celebration, and it was supposed to be our BIG one. Pacific Grove has been our “spot” for over twenty years. This year will be a bit different. It is also our first vacation with a dog. Charlie is in for an adventure.

In preparation, I have been taking him out with me to stores, and parks. Yesterday, my grandson Lucas played tee ball. I brought Charlie to the game. He was a bit overstimulated at first. I remained, and after a while he started to relax. I gave out treats to those watching the game to give to Charlie. And he took advantage. The day before in Lowe’s he wouldn’t take a treat. Slow progress.

These are some of the images I grabbed during our last time in Pacific Grove in 2019.

On our way to Pacific Grove we stop and get some Bing Cherries

Seafood is on the menu! But we will see how well Charlie deals with all the excitement.

These are natural occuring spots.

Sometimes, as a photographer you are just in the right spot at the right time!

Taken from the Tower Bridge during a dry lightening storm.

That is all for this photo challenge. Need to get ready to go on a short vacation. Do I even remember how to pack?

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #145 – Getting to know you

“The artist’s gaze, the photographer’s eye, when cast on a subject begins a relationship. That relationship can grow into a deep affection and a profound wisdom. It is that aspect of relating to your subject that I invite you to explore in this challenge.” Thank you Priscilla of scillagrace.

Photography has always helped me to see the world. It may be the quiet moment when I am out and can appreciate nature. It allows me to take a deep breath and slow down. You must be still as you press the shutter button.

Exploring my backyard with my macro lens I spot this dragonfly.

Sometimes I am occupied looking for the unusual. This may be a funny sign, or an object found out of place.

Other times I see faces or animals in many of my images. This is pareidolia. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines pareidolia as, “The tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful, image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern.” Hey, photography has even opened me up to learn new terms.

My photography has helped me get away from my introverted self. I like to people watch, and I use my camera as my lookout point. Some images are candid moments, some environmental portraits, and some tell a story

Photography has been with me since I was nine years old. It helps me connect with people, places, and things around me!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #144 – Taking Flight

“Flying…how often have you thought about how amazing it would be to simply stretch your arms and soar? When you think about it, the number of flying “objects” is quite large. Yes, of course the birds. But beyond them, butterflies, bees and other insects, airplanes, balloons, bubbles, kites….well, you get the idea. So this week, although I’m focused on some of the beautiful birds of Kiawah, please feel free to be creative and choose whichever flying objects catch your imagination and your lens.” This is Tina’s challenge to me.

Watching my dog Charlies fly off my bed, race down the hall, and retrieve his ball reminded me of an event I attended almost 10 years ago, “Petapalooza”. I captured some dogs flying at the Splash Dogs tank event.

Taking off!
Coming in for a landing!
Splash down!

Heading back with the prize ball or not!

All these dogs were having so much fun. I’m hoping that as my dog matures he will get to a point where he is not so anxious, and I can show him the wider world. This CoVid stuff really hurt his socialization growth. Last week he attended the Sactown Doodle Romp where he saw Doodles of all sizes.