Northern California – A Photo's Worth

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge # 222 The Mountains are Calling!

This week Amy (The World is a Book) has challenged me to go to the mountains, and so I shall.
Traveling has been limited to Sacramento lately. Not exactly sure why. But these photo challenges gives me a good reason to check out my library. The highest mountain I ever visited was the Himalayas when I visited Nepal in 1965. At the time Kathmandu had traveler restrictions, and two small hotels. The Royal Nepal Airline had 3 planes, not a modern jet plane. We traveled between the peaks. A pretty scary ride. But alas I don’t have any photographs.
Sacramento is located two hours from the Sierras and Lake Tahoe. Heading east Donner Lake is a beautiful, quiet stop.

Outside Bodie located in the eastern Sierras. Do you see what I see?

Bodie California – the Sierras in the distance

Heading east the Sutter Buttes make for a rural landscape.

Northern California’s Coast range provides many photo opportunities just as long as there is a place to pull over. Otherwise commuter traffic makes this prohibitive.

Stopping on this winding road between Livermore and San Jose.
Anne will always remember this drive!

Coastal Range taken near Big Basin Redwoods State Park

My first trip with my dslr Nikon D70 was to Seattle, Washington.

On a clear day I see Mt Rainier from my Seattle hotel room

So this ends my tour of my Western United States mountains that call to me. Any image catch your attention?

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #214 Favorite Finds

Anne-Christine is the host this week. She challenges me to find something surprising in my archive of photographs. She is sure I have something hidden in my archives that once surprised me or filled me with awe… I hope you enjoy my finds this week! And, perhaps the story that goes with it.

This is not an easy challenge, and with all that is going on around me, I need to make some quick decisions. Shall I go with the natural world? Shall I look to look to my collection that tells a story (ie: street photography and candids)? Shall I look at my many photos of household items? Public art? Hmmm?

Decision made. I will combine my collection that tells a story with public art. The 32nd Annual Chalk It Up! Chalk Art & Music Festival this Labor Day Weekend! I have attended this event and these images of the people and their art were taken then. I’m hoping to get down to Fremont Park this very hot weekend.

Then there are the artists creating art for sale. I found these artists in Old Sac, the Las Vegas strip, and on San Francisco’s Embarcadero.

Art sculptures found at airports

Found this creation at Half Moon Bay, Ca.

Around Sacramento

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #208

This week’s guest contributor Solander challenges me to see my interpretation of summer vibes. He wants me to make you envy and wish to be with me while I enjoy my summer and my favorite summer activities! I will share my summer vibes with my images. Click here to see Solander’s summer vibes.

I have stopped counting how many 100º days we have had here in Sacramento, Ca. I remember back a number of years when my two oldest grandchildren were on the Sunrise Sharks! That summer they lived with me and swimming was our life. Swim practice all week, and swim meets all Saturday!

My father used to say, “I scream, you scream we all scream for Ice Cream.”

Stopping by for some ice cream. Now I’m ready for a scoop!

I attended many festivals and fairs over the years. Covid and the increased heat have put a crimp in my attendance.

Chalk it up occurs every year. Maybe it will cool down, and I can enjoy all this creativity.

Wide open walls started in 2016. When it cools down I plan to go downtown and see the new additions.

Many years ago the Rennaisance Faire was held at Fair Oaks Park.

The California State Fair has been moved to July, and it is way too hot to attend this year. The fair used to end on Labor Day in September. Nights were cooling down, and I have to admit, I was younger. But I do love to photograph fair food!

Summer means getting out and enjoying food, fun, and festivals. But not so much with the very high temperatures. For August, I am thinking cool!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #207 Seeing Double

Jez invites the hunt for reflections with a fantastic collection of great photo examples. Visit his post HERE.

Be it mirrors, still water, or glass I always look for reflections when I am out with my camera. For this challenge, I limited myself to some of the over 900 reflection images I have taken.

Taken many years ago with my first Nikon D70 at Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park.

Another view of Mirror Lake was taken in late April about 14 years ago.

I last visited New York City in 2014 during a snow storm in February. We had tickets to visit in March 2020 but canceled just as Covid got serious and N.Y.C. closed down. Good thing!