This week Ann-Christine invites me to have the opportunity to share my weird and wonderful images in this challenge! By accepting this challenge I will showcase some of my images of natural weirdness, items I found strange to photograph, and images I created through photo techniques.
This mutant Sunflower captured my attention! Was it an overachiever?
Here in Sacramento we are starting to get a taste of autumn. On Sunday we experienced record setting rainfall. They called it a bomb cyclone. It was time to dust off those raincoats and galoshes. Since California has been in a drought many of us were caught off guard. My puppy Moxie has never experienced rain, and was not too impressed. She was glad to wear her raincoat for our many, but quick outings. After the rain I just discovered the weirdness of mushrooms popping up. One minute nothing, the next minute fully formed fungi. Don’t know the toxicity of these mushrooms, but I am taking no chances on Moxie discovering them.
Just a couple of mushrooms found in my garden today!
The next couple of images are part of the life cycle of decay. There is a certain beauty in observing rot.
These post have changed over the 30 years in my landscape, yet there is life.
Tis the pumpkin season. I see the heart of the pumpkin!
Decaying squash
The salmon come up the American River to lay their eggs and die.
Each gull finds its own rock!
A certain weirdness to the play of fish and bubbles.
This image speaks to me. It says, “Halloween is just around the corner. Get those treats ready or you will be tricked!”
The following are strange images I came across.
There are probably drivers on the road who follow this sign. Not me! Beliefs are another story.
What do you see? Found around old farm machinery.
Does this meet with your definition of weird?
The following images were created by painting with light.
For this week’s challenge, we’re exploring art–outdoors, in the park, on the street–for all to enjoy. Thank you Patti for acknowledging all the art around us.
The last couple of years Sacramento has been encouraging creativity. Alley walls, sidewalks and dumpsters have provided the canvas. Artists of all ages come out to celebrate.
In 2016 alleyways and building throughout Sacramento became the canvas for Wide Open Walls (WOW). This annual event has brought art to all. This year my fellow photographers ventured out without me because Moxie’s puppy class is priority one.
WOW from 2020. One event that our group could enjoy safely.
Another annual event I usually enjoy is Chalk it Up. This artwork is not permanent, but fun to watch, and photograph. The sidewalks around Freemont Park serve as the location. Each square represents an organization, individual idea, or business venture. Again, I did not photograph it this year. Last year, CoVid protocols spread this event out throughout the city.
I came across the Art of the Dumpster in a vacant lot. Each dumpster had the artist’s statement displayed.
Glad I had my camera handy when I came across this dumpster art show in a vacant lot.
I am always on the lookout for murals that informs visitors about the town.
Stopped in Truckee, Ca. (Calif.) one winter day.
I learned something about the City of Livermore.
Lincoln pride is showing.
CCA Murals for Esparto. Their heritage is on display.
Came across this natural display of public art at Half Moon Bay, Ca.
Making the most of the space that surrounds us with art. It is nice to find such “eye candy” where you least expected! Just be ready to experience beauty.
I.J. Khanewala challenges me to see the ordinary into the most extraordinary thing that you have seen. I am up for this challenge. When I come to a well traveled place I have a pre conceived idea of the typical image. I usually take a couple of these, but then I look around. I want to look deeper and find “my” image.
A simple squash displays color, texture, and design.
The colors of Autumn found on this grape vine.
A Sunflower at season’s end.
Nature’s beauty
Shadows form on the fluorescent green that floats on the pond
I freeze the motion for this water fountain.
Ordinary water creates wonderful images.
I love looking for images created by reflections.
Looking deeply at parts. All these images were taken without cropping. I once had a teacher who frowned upon the process of cropping to improve an image.
I remember a magazine that my son read as a boy that had a page of photographs. The idea was that you were supposed to figure out what the image was a part of. Always fascinated me. Do you have an idea of what these are parts of?
I hope you enjoy looking at how the ordinary can make an extraordinary image.
This week Tina invited me to share images of places and things that have, “seen better days”. Evidence of our past is easily found here in Northern California. When I go out with my camera in hand, I am on the lookout for these abandoned items, settings, and buildings.
I came across this abandoned bee hive in our local nature preserve, Effie Yeaw.
These passengers have seen better days! This Thunderbird set the stage for Halloween parked in Old Fair Oaks
Greeting travelers in Strawberry, California
What’s the story behind this Buick? Could this be a subject for a crime novel?
Some cars make it into an auto museum and some cars are just abandoned.
The base for what kind of vehicle?
I wonder what was the price of gas when this gas station closed?
The innards before pumps went digital.
How many times have you misplaced an article of clothing? I’m surprised at where these lonely ones were found.
Is the owner a right handed person?
Out worn its usefulness
Did this companion hop away?
One hand will be cold today!
A scarecrow could still make use of this straw hat!
Flip flops flop after a grueling hike in Kauai
Gold and silver mining had much to do with the creation and downfall of many towns in Northern California. Bodie is one such example. In 1962 Bodie became Bodie State Historic Park, and an official gold rush ghost town. It is an example of “arrested decay”.
From barns to sugar mills, from government buildings to stores these places have a story to tell.
Berkeley store
Fireman’s Theatre in Tuolumne Ca.
Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg Ca
Barn
Outhouse
Another barn
Angel Island Immigration Government Building
Two boats cast aside. One found near Martinez Ca. and one found in Esparto Ca.
This pier off of Berkeley Marina needs a little work! But some wildlife finds it useful.
This may have worked for Superman, but forget about making a call.
When my friend Anne and I went out with a fellow photographer Greg we often ended up exploring forgotten place such as Knight’s Landing.
Knight’s Landing railroad trestle crossing the Sacramento River.
Knight’s Landing water tower along the Sacramento River.
Found in Marysville, Ca. this safe is no longer secure.
I took this photo the day after Valentine’s Day in New York City. I hope the flowers were appreciated.
Taking photographs of items with history behind them makes me think about the back story.
A Photo's Worth 