The long wet winter is nearing an end. I am out looking for signs of Spring. Close to my house is the Jensen Botanical Garden. In the fall I brought Libby here to walk along the path. Eucalyptus trees abound, but not much else. This totally changes in the Spring.
It was our first trip out with Libby since she developed a lame back leg. Hard to get her in and out of the car. I bought a set of steps to help, but when I tried tempting her in the house she said, “No way!” With her new Help Em Up harness I was able to get her into the car without picking her up. I was thrilled to be able to get out and about with my Libby. She also developed cabin fever and was happy to find a new place to sniff. Then that morning when she she needed to have her toe amputated. (Refer to previous post – Breakfast Interrupted). Now for the next few weeks we used the steps to get her in and out of the car to visit her Dr. Hart, Dr. Trip and Dr. Faith at Reagor Vet Hospital
Do you remember the song?
There is a tree with nesting Great Egrets in Lincoln. Captured some Great Egrets improving their nest.
All these nests in one tree!
Bringing in some nesting material.
Honey, I’m home!
I’ll publish this now. Nature continues in the next post!
Each morning I wake up to my dear husband bringing me fresh squeezed orange juice. Right now we are just picking the last of the oranges off of our tree.
This morning I awoke to the sound of my grass being mowed. Thought, since I’m not sleeping in I may as well make French toast for me and my husband. I haven’t made breakfast in forever. Usually French toast using rye bread is something I reserve for my grandchildren.
I have patiently taught all my grandchildren how to make French toast.
Eli making French Toast
But it hasn’t occurred to me to just make it for us grownups. But this time I just felt like starting the day off in grand style. Table set, coffee made, orange from our tree sliced, real maple syrup poured, and French toast cooked.
And just as I was ready to drink my coffee and read the paper I glanced down at my Libby Love and noticed a large red gash on her foot. OMG.
Libby Love
Called the vet, and had 15 minutes (for a 25 minute drive) to get her to the doctor. Once there, the doctor took one look and said, “This is bad!” The toe will need to be amputated. There is nothing left to stitch up. I did not expect this outcome.
We left her there, and waited at home to hear that she was out of surgery. In a few minutes we will be picking up my darling dog. Libby has been through so much since November. What we thought was a blown out knee turned into either a bone infection, or tumor. Now I suspect that it is a tumor that is increasingly pressing on her nerve. My guess is that she doesn’t understand why her foot feel wrong.
My dear little, very expensive cone head, Libby
I know what that means, because I am just 4 weeks from my spinal surgery. No such surgery available for my poor dog. Now we have recovery time and hope that she doesn’t do this again.
No more tingling feeling! Sometimes tingling can be caused by excitement. That’s good. But the tingling, numbing feeling I lived with is not. Surgery on March 8th went well. New equipment now makes this microscopic surgery possible. Nerves are given room to be “happy”. My doctor’s term. Herniated disc relieved.
I went home with a bunch of pain medications, walker, and instructions. No bending, twisting, lifting and stretching. Given all the information regarding taking opioids I was very careful, and only needed relief for a couple of days. At my 1 week follow-up a new med was added to try and alleviate back pain. 12 days out and I am much improved. I expect physical therapy will start after my 6 week follow up appointment. Muscles are healing. Back pain is telling me so.
Started getting out for short trips. We had a sudden burst of spring-like weather and so on Sunday we drove over to the American River at Sailor Bar. Got my Fuji x100F out for a couple of pics. I realize that taking photographs will also be limited while I heal. Eye-level only for a while. My CTT group had a virtual outing this week. We were asked to post photos and explain our processing ideas. Here is my contribution.
My husband is serving as my driver while I am recovering from surgery. No one wants to be driving around while taking pain meds. And also with my limited flexibility I will not twist and turn easily. Sunday, the weather was nice and we went out Sailor Bar. Located a short mile from my house. This is off the American River. When I processed the photo I wanted it to look old fashioned so I used some of my quick plug-in tools. First I went to Lightroom and cropped the image. Took it to Topaz Studio where I added a wood-like texture. Brought it to Luminar where I found a Sepia tone, and added a slight vignette.
This is my original photograph.
Here is the processed image.
This next one may make a 1000 piece puzzle to drive some to drink. I wanted the rocks and texture to pop.
Looking down.
Better?
Hope to be out and about with more photographs to come.
Our first day on the Island of Kauai we head toward the Waimea Canyon. This proved to be our most adventurous day. Anxious to see as much as three photographers in our mature condition we started early with a stop at our local Starbucks. With a perfect cappuccino, cameras, lenses, batteries, and hats we are off.
Heading up western part of Kauai
First glimpse of the canyon
The colorful restaurant begged to be photographed!Driving along we stop at every lookout point and admire the lush, green landscape
With camera in tow we explore the trail. Our traditional shadow selfie.
I am feeling pretty good about my choice in camera equipment. For this portion of the trip I am switching between my 18-55mm zoom lens and my 10-24mm wide angle lens. I am able to clip the lens case to my jeans, and travel light.
An easy trail to follow
Swaying grasses
Group of Palm trees
Love the color
Canyon lookout
Lichen creates texture
Continuing up Waimea Canyon we arrive at Waimea Canyon Lookout. I have not yet witnessed the Grand Canyon so I marvel at this wonderful landscape.
Waipo’oo Falls
First glimpse of Waipo’o Falls
A river runs through the canyon
Can you see the profile?
We started early and we were ready for a break. All along the canyon there are no commercial fast food places. We came across the Koke’e Lodge, and stopped for lunch. Located in Koke’e State Park the view is a stark contrast to the canyon views I have seen all morning. Enjoyed lunch, and then headed back to Hanapepe.
Kekaha Beach our next destination will always be filled with good and bad memories. Happy to see the ocean, after all Kauai is an Island. But as a reminder just as I am leaving the beach, I fall. My lava rock is hard and not forgiving. Luckily my jeans protected my skin, but my right leg, ugh. No one wanted to take that photograph!
Kekaha Beach waves crashing!
Getting into some people photography. Looks like an enjoyable stroll along the shoreline.Sandpipers going in the other direction!
When I was last in Kauai I remember going over a Swinging Bridge. Too tired, and not quite in condition to go across I viewed it from afar.
Hanapepe Swinging Bridge over the river.
This first day ends with a sunset view from the Waimea Canyon.
Goodnight Waimea Canyon!
So ends my first day on my photographic journey in Kauai. More days of exploring, photographing, relaxing and enjoying time with good friends.
A Photo's Worth 