Lens-Artists Challenge #243 It’s Tricky

This week, it’s Donna’s turn to host the Lens-Artists Challenge: It’s Tricky! If you’d like to fool us, this is your week. Otherwise, I hope I can inspire you, or trick you into joining the fun.

Water Reflections

Glass Reflections

Spherical Reflections

Movement

Ghostly Images

My dog Charlie will always be in my heart!

The Great Escape

I am always on the lookout for images that can be seen in a different way. Sometimes I play with my shutter speed control. Sometimes the image unfolds throught a reflection on glass or water. Sometimes, the image is just a happy mistake. It all depends upon how you look at your surroundings.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #219 Treasure Hunt

As Tina announced last week, this week’s challenge is a Treasure Hunt. In the past, I have created a list of treasures to be found on my photographic journey. Now I will go through my images to uncover these treasures.

Pet

Clouds

Child looking forward to the future

Following her path. Brother tagging along.

Umbrellas of all kinds. But with the drought here the parasol is more useful.

Trucks of all kinds.

Walking along the street there are many things lost: a mitten, glove, glasses, soccer ball, baseball mitt, and bicycle.

Saw this busker many years ago while walking along Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.

Fisherman’s Wharf Bushman in San Francisco

I am always looking for reflections when I am near water, glass, mirrors, or shiny metals.

My friends and I are out on a Scavenger Hunt in Old Sac.

I hunted through my library and found all these treasures. I hope you enjoyed my findings? Which photograph caught your attention?

Undersocialized Charlie and my efforts to have a companion dog!

Among the many problems created by the pandemic is the under socialization of my puppy. My nine-month wait coincided with CoVid 19. Born on February 7th he arrived home just after society was shutting down. Governor Newsom declared a stay at home order in mid-March. We picked up Charlie at 7 weeks rather than chance not being about to make the 2-hour drive to Orland, Ca, and Serenity Springs Labradoodles.

So instead of allowing Charlie to have many social interactions during this critical puppy period, we were busy having our groceries picked up through e-cart, and sanitizing them before bringing them into the home. No one knew what we were up against. Social interactions consisted of listening to Amy teach us on Zoom. Charlie would sit next to my computer and together we learned. Amy’s voice and treats were our first classroom at Baxter & Bella online training. As more was known about CoVid 19 I reached out to my friend Carly and a few months ago we went to our first in-person training with other under-socialized puppies.

Nearing one year of age, Charlie now attends class with the “gifted” pups training to be CCI (Canine Companions for Independence) dogs. Sometimes this works, and sometimes not so much. Skateboarders, cyclists, and motorcycles are triggers (Puppy training language). He was so alert last week, that when I asked for a paw he followed the instruction with his eyes on the road. It was funny to watch but frustrating to teach. In this new 6 feet separation society when you take dogs in public you may not want to let anyone pet your dog. So to be polite, you can say, “Please don’t pet my dog, but if you want he can wave to you.” Giving a paw is the first step in teaching dogs to wave. Good adaptation for the pandemic. Right?

Being anxious is detrimental to learning. To desensitize Charlie I decided to park in front of a store and let him watch the world around him. He feels safe in the car. I give him treats when he is calm. I listened to an NPR interview with Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist. Her research specialty is dog cognition. I have since downloaded one of her audiobooks to take with us. A perfect soundtrack for people watching from the car. While we watch I capture some images with my Fuji x100f. I like this camera for street shooting.

Next time I will park right in front of entrance!

Last weekend my friends planned to walk the Johnny Cash Trail outside of Folsom Prison. Since my focus has been on Charlie I decided to take him with me. I brought my Fuji x100f to simplify the photo walk. This was a real test. I met the group in a shopping mall parking lot next to very busy, fast-moving street traffic. He was doing well considering the noise.

Right outside the razor-wired fence of Folsom Prison.

Group planning doesn’t always work out, so I decided to pass on the trail, and went in search of a nature trail. The Miner’s Ravine Nature Preserve parking lot was 1 1/2 miles down the road.

Came across this interesting tree. Such an expression What does it say to you?

Gave Charlie the command, “Wait!” He allowed me to take my photograph.

Raised manhole cover ahead. My friend Anne sees something else.

I took this photo after our walk. I think the nature preserve was on the side that we did not visit. Or else Charlie did not pay attention to the sign. That’s my story and I am sticking to it!

Charlie relaxed, and when I asked him to wait, he allowed me to capture some images. This was a win-win situation.

He always recognizes our car, and is happy to jump in!

I plan to make a point to take Charlie out with me daily. After all, someday we all will not be homebound. I hope!

Gemini and Personality Two

My astrological sign is Gemini and up till now I didn’t feel like the definition fit. But looking at an Internet definition a Gemini is, “Expressive and quick-witted, Gemini represents two different personalities in one and you will never be sure which one you will face.” Ok, I may be indecisive at times. And the tug of war between going out to be with others, or just staying contently alone at home may fit. Yup, I’m a Gemini when I come to think of it. Probably explains why I’m busy sharing my life in this blog, and why you just don’t hear from me sometimes. Just saying.

Here are some Sacramento Zoo photographs I captured in twos.