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

Mural created during “Wide Open Walls”
Found this creation at Half Moon Bay, Ca.
Art found in hotel

Around Sacramento

Street Musician
Clever street art

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!

Swim team practice
Splash pad fun!

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

Does this photo quench your thirst?

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

Dixon Fair
Kite Festival in Berkeley

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.

Mirror Lake in Yosemite
Another view of Mirror Lake was taken in late April about 14 years ago.
Taken in Seattle with my Nikon D70
Beautiful Sedona, Arizona

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!

Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City
Another view from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Which one do you like?

The rest of my images were taken closer to home in Northern California.

Lone duck in setting sun
Flamingo from the Sacramento Zoo
This is what I will call “Seeing Multiples”

Hope you enjoyed all of my doubles.

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #204 Doors

 This week Sylvia would love for me to share a few appealing or distinctive doorways I have discovered. Do you feel some have more character than others or evoke a particular feeling or mood? Hope you have fun viewing this challenge! 

Old Sacramento has many historic doors, While I was enrolled in a Color Photography class at Cosumnes River College my professor gave us an unusual assignment. I was given an adjective., a noun, and a verb. My three words were Flaming door expanding. So off to Old Sacramento in search of a good door.

Flaming door expanding!

I have always looked for unusual doors. Some tell a historical story, some make a statement, some are inviting, some provide a different message, and some provide a frame for a photo,

Fire House Door established in 1853.
Port Richmond, California.
Half Moon Bay Review established in 1898.
Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California.
Orange’s First Bank established in 1886
Orange County Fruit Exchange – Sunkist established in 1922. A landmark building in Orange, Ca
Doors, and more doors at the winery.
Niles, California
I wonder what was taking place behind closed doors?
Half Moon Bay decorated in the Halloween spirit!
Sending mixed messages.
Entering a wine celler creates a nice frame.
Looking through a doorway in Bodie, Ca.

This is just a small sample of doors and doorways that I come across when I am out with my camera. But the best door I enjoy opening up is the one I call home. My dog Moxie (14 months) agrees! Here she is after her spa day at Sunflower Pet Salon.

What door do you enjoy opening?