Category: Flowers

Lens-Artist Challenge #285 Warm Colors

For this week’s challenge, Egidio invites me to look at my photos showing how warm colors appear in my world and their emotional significance to me.

California is taking a beating this week. Last night with no power I sat in the dark, listening to the wind, unplugging all electronics, and leaving on one light. I awoke to stillness. The electricity was restored. The skies still threaten, but the color is returning in the house.

Great challenge for the week, warm colors. Color Photography was one of the best, and most demanding classes I attended.

The warm color of food

The first Valentine’s Day I made my boyfriend (now husband of 53 years) a strawberry shortcake!
Oranges of warm colors

Flowers

Warm colors of nature

Pine Cone
Horse Chestnut
Dragon Fly with golden wings

Sunrise/Sunset

Sedona Sunrise
Sedona Sunrise
Sedona Sunrise
Maui Sunset
Folsom Lake
Sailor Bar in Fair Oaks
Sacramento River
Mono Lake at Sunrise

Abstractions created by color

Can you guess what I found?

Warm objects are seen here and there

Cork from a New Year’s past

Looking back at my collection of photographs is my best reason for participating in these challenges. I see forgotten images and the photographic journey I am on.

Just as I was about to post, our electricity went out again. Found emergency candles, and we ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. All is back to normal. So without further ado, I will post.

Lens-Artists Challenge #260 Overlooked

This week Janet wants me to share with you images that I think many would have overlooked. For me, that is what I often focus on, and now I get to share them with you.

I love to look at puddles and see reflections or things floating by.

These leaves came together in a heart shape

Wilted Flora

Sometimes, I arrive on the scene after the flowers have shown their best side. But I find this side interesting too.

I see some sunflower seeds!
Sunflowers are the stars when they are in bloom. Look and see the seeds.
These wilted pods spoke out to me!

Lost or abandoned

I currently am knitting a baby blanket for my granddaughter’s baby due in January. This will be my first great-grandchild (a boy).

I wonder who created this blanket? I wonder if it is missed?
Maybe this baseball player will remember
where was the last place this glove was seen.
I liked the splash of color on this lost straw hat.
The newspaper was left there on a bench. Perhaps to share.
You never know when an outhouse can come in handy!

Eye Glasses

In May I had an eye exam and ordered new frames. They arrived, had them adjusted, and still everything looked blurry. I returned the glasses and made an appointment to have my eyes reexamined. I had another eye injection for my AMD (macular degeneration), and on Monday I went for another exam. My vision changed dramatically, for the better. Yay! So I picked out another frame, and glasses have been ordered.

I once lost a pair of glasses. Hope the owner has a spare.
This lost pair provided a reflection of a beach in Maui.

Peeling

I am always looking at peeling paint or bark. Looking for fascinating images.

Do you see what I see?
Found on the side of a building.
Buildings in Old Sacramento reveal its history.
It would be easy to overlook this caution sign. But don’t!

Trees tell tales

Love occurs naturally
Pine cone found in the snow
It took me a moment to remember what I saw in this image. Now I see it.
Such texture
Walking along I come across this.
You may have missed this. I didn’t.

One of the reasons I love photography is that it gives me time to look at the world instead of rushing about. I hope that you enjoy the slower pace, and can find new things that you may have overlooked.

Lens-Artists Challenge #258 Fences

Post Delayed

The coast has been calling my name, and after some last-minute changes, we headed off to our favorite spot, Pacific Grove, Ca. Carly’s kennel developed Kennel Cough. I needed to make new plans. Moxie’s mom, dad, and 10-month-old brother live across the street. My neighbor was happy to have her visit. I didn’t realize that there were also 9 four week old siblings added to the family. Lots to keep her distracted. Not to mention the two cats who just accepted her as part of the pack. Another new experience. Wonderful videos and photos throughout my vacation made me feel comfortable leaving my girl. Now that I am back I have plans to photograph these pups.

Dawn Miller of “The Day After” leads the challenge and the subject is fences. While I have always been drawn to this subject, this was on my mind this week away.

Historic Fence

The San Andreas Fault defines the North American and Pacific plate movement. In 1906 Point Reyes experienced the most dramatic land shift to date. The original fence was split apart 16 feet. The National Park Service reconstructed this fence to demonstrate this.

Fence demonstrates how much the earth shifted
in 1906 San Francisco earthquake

Decorative Fences

Fence made from skis
Memorial Fence
If you need a fence it might as well be interesting!

Animals and Fences

Quail perched on fence
Squirrel stops to pose.
Cattle on a Lincoln Farm
Please scratch my forehead!

Posted Signs on Fences

Information for the observer

Flowers along the fence

Thistles peeking
Wildflowers along the barbed wire fence
Daffodil Hill in Volcano Ca.
Don’t Fence Me In!

Useful Fences

Preston Castle
Youth Authority Institution in Ione
Not worried about anyone escaping here.
Trying to keep people out of Sacramento Historic Cemetery for safety.
There are many downed trees from this winter’s rain.

Rural Fences

All theses fences were taken in Northern California

Coastal Fences

Shadows and Leading Lines

Playful shadows
Benecia-Martinez Vista Point

That’s all for today. Fences can define a space, contain things, and be creative backdrops. Any particular fence appeal to you?

Lens-Artists Challenge #257 Simplicity

Philosophy through photography provided this week’s challenge of simplicity.  “The modern world is so stressful and chaotic that we are losing the fundamental clarity and simplicity that allows us to concentrate on what is really important.” So true!

Subject

The subject IS color
Monochromatic Dandelion

Tell a story

Gull finds treasure on Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
Quiet Pomponio State Beach near Half Moon Bay
Lone pedestrian crossing the Embarcadero in San Francisco
Walking along the Mendocino coast

Sense of Scale

Sailboat sails under the Golden Gate Bridge at Sunset
Kayaking along the American River

I had to look through my archive to find this one because usually, I will fill the frame with the people. But this time I was in awe of the surroundings.

Mirror Lake in Yosemite.
Walking a long way down near a waterfall in Hilo Hawaii

As we got closer to the waterfall we witnessed its power.

Waterfall in Hilo Hawaii
So small on this Southern California beach
My granddaughter @ age 10 at Stinson Beach

The vastness and power of water bring perspective to our view of self. Watching how fast it can transform places. There is little a person can do to hold back the water. The world’s people are learning this the hard way.

Negative Space

Fishing in Monterey Bay

Still Life

Tea Setting
Side Lighting of Chinese Tea Service
Coffee Time

Textures

Bumpy and Orange
Soft focused leaf

Splash of Color

Lady Bug Beetle all alone
Boulder Ridge Park, Rocklin Ca

Patterns

Swim meet pool lanes

I hope that you enjoy the simple life. Which photograph spoke to you? I appreciate all comments.