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.
Donner Lake in the fall
Donner Lake in the winter
Yosemite in the Sierras
Yosemite
A weather change as I leave Yosemite
Flying over the Sierras
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!
Anne’s challenge this week is, “What’s my photographic groove? What type of photography do I truly enjoy doing? I will show you wonderful images and tell you about them.
This challenge has me thinking. When I was enrolled and pursuing my Photography Certificate, I was exposed to many photographic experiences. My practical mother continued to ask me what I intended to do with my photography. One idea was to start a Pet Photography business. Another idea I had was to author a picture book. I had just retired from a Library/Teacher career of 25 years. I didn’t know way direction to take. Life happened. My parents and grandchildren needed my attention. By the time I finished 40+ credits I decided I was going to do photography on my own terms – for my own personal enjoyment. I didn’t need another job. So I guess you can say my photographic groove is “Focus”. I use my camera to help me see the world around me. I capture whatever I come across.
Often, my camera helps me connect to my surroundings. Sometimes nature, sometimes people, and sometimes taking a quirky look.
My camera connected me to a good group of friends. This group has taken me to many places and spaces in the area. Visits out of town to Niles, Ca. Trips to the Sacramento Zoo. Visiting a local urban micro Farm at End of the Road in Orangevale, Ca.
My photography helps me focus on the present, and preserve memories to reflect upon in the future. I have been raising my second puppy in the past 2 1/2 years. Glad I have photos of my Charlie.
Puppies grow into dogs and seem to change overnight. Waiting for them to calm down may take just a bit longer. This is where my iPhone comes into play.
My 4 youngest grandchildren have moved back and forth from Sacramento, California to Knoxville, Tennessee (about 2500 miles). They returned last week for the third time in less than three years. Photos and FaceTime helped during these times of separation. I so enjoy my Nixplay digital frame.
But as of last Thursday, I can see my grandchildren in person. We celebrated the first day of TK and First Grade, and the last day of vacation for my 5th grader with some ice cream at Handels.
In-person is better than long distance!Nature Calls for my Fuji xt4 and my iPhone 13 pro
Great challenge. Sorry for the late post. I have been having “words” with my WordPress!
Getting away with photo friends and introducing them to my brother Alan made for an enjoyable and interesting day. My brother lives in Freemont, Ca. and found this little old town flavor in Niles about a mile from his address. Car loaded with friends, cameras, and gas we headed off to Niles. I was driving Subi Blue, and just as we started the infamous I symbol appeared on my dashboard indicating a low tire sensor. We boldly continued the two-hour journey.
After passing under a railroad trestle we arrived in Niles, Ca.
This old restored gas station serves as a meeting spot for car enthusiasts.
Unique stores line 1st Street (Main Street). Forget trademarks here. Plenty of antique stores, but since we are here on a Thursday we find many stores closed.
My brother served as our own personal guide to a town he walks around frequently. He knows most of the small business owners and often photographs events in town. The weather cooperates and we found plenty of photo opportunities in nature and architecture.
This wisteria tree has over the years intertwined with another tree.
Oh what a tangled web we weave.
Tangled
Wisteria in bloom
A Lady Bug
Lots of bird houses in this treeTweetyPareidolia, Do you see it?
An original house.
Bath anyone?
Each house an individual
I liked the way the light fell on these hats
Silent movies and Charlie Chaplin have solid connections with Niles, Ca. On our way home, we drove through Niles Canyon used as a backdrop for cowboy films in the early days of movie-making.
I was sorry this museum was closed on Thursday.Friendly shop owner dogs hanging out
It turns out the air in the tire was low, so off to find a working air pump, and tossing in a bunch of quarters, and home we went.
For this week’s Lens-Artists Photography Challenge, let’s get wild! Dianne is talking about Mother Nature untouched and untrammelled, allowed to get on with her work without human help or hindrance.
Looking through my images I am more inclined to capture images with human interactions. My travels haven’t taken me far from home.
Squirrels take up residence in the trees.
And a dragonfly lands on a bush in my backyard!
I did manage to take a trip to the Island of Kauai with some of my photo friends.
Beautiful Kauai
Nene, official Hawaiian bird
Turkeys strutting their stuff
An Egret returning to the nest
Youngsters following along!
A wild discovery at Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael, Ca.
Finding nectar in the wilds of Kauai
Northern California coastal fog
This is my space!
Time to cover-up. Nature’s sunblock
Time to rest!
Make room for me!
Found along the coast of California near San Simeon.
Love the texture of these mushrooms
Shapely fungi
Green and blue complements
A little water action.
Monochromatic fungi found on a tree stump
Groups of mushrooms. Some want some personal space. Observing 6 ft separation.
A walk on the wild side along an abandoned quarry site in Placer county.
Sorry, this wild blog may seem a bit scattered. My very special doodle, Charlie is in the hospital. His liver is not working to its best. The doctors are trying to figure this out. HIs numbers are quite unexpected for a such a young dog. Think good thoughts that Charlie will be home with me soon. We have never been apart.