Tag: sunflower

Lens-Artists Challenge #260 Overlooked

This week Janet wants me to share with you images that I think many would have overlooked. For me, that is what I often focus on, and now I get to share them with you.

I love to look at puddles and see reflections or things floating by.

These leaves came together in a heart shape

Wilted Flora

Sometimes, I arrive on the scene after the flowers have shown their best side. But I find this side interesting too.

I see some sunflower seeds!
Sunflowers are the stars when they are in bloom. Look and see the seeds.
These wilted pods spoke out to me!

Lost or abandoned

I currently am knitting a baby blanket for my granddaughter’s baby due in January. This will be my first great-grandchild (a boy).

I wonder who created this blanket? I wonder if it is missed?
Maybe this baseball player will remember
where was the last place this glove was seen.
I liked the splash of color on this lost straw hat.
The newspaper was left there on a bench. Perhaps to share.
You never know when an outhouse can come in handy!

Eye Glasses

In May I had an eye exam and ordered new frames. They arrived, had them adjusted, and still everything looked blurry. I returned the glasses and made an appointment to have my eyes reexamined. I had another eye injection for my AMD (macular degeneration), and on Monday I went for another exam. My vision changed dramatically, for the better. Yay! So I picked out another frame, and glasses have been ordered.

I once lost a pair of glasses. Hope the owner has a spare.
This lost pair provided a reflection of a beach in Maui.

Peeling

I am always looking at peeling paint or bark. Looking for fascinating images.

Do you see what I see?
Found on the side of a building.
Buildings in Old Sacramento reveal its history.
It would be easy to overlook this caution sign. But don’t!

Trees tell tales

Love occurs naturally
Pine cone found in the snow
It took me a moment to remember what I saw in this image. Now I see it.
Such texture
Walking along I come across this.
You may have missed this. I didn’t.

One of the reasons I love photography is that it gives me time to look at the world instead of rushing about. I hope that you enjoy the slower pace, and can find new things that you may have overlooked.

Lens-Artists Challenge #244 Glowing Moments

Siobhan from Bend Branches created this challenge. “What glowing moments have been special in your life?”

I looked up the definition of “Glow” and found that I was looking through my library and paying attention to lighting.

Flowers

Lighting from the back is my way of capturing flower power.

Tulips and daffodils are a sign of spring.

Backlit pink tulips, and a narrow depth of field soft daffodils
Beautiful rose
Captured this flower in high-key lighting
This little beetle found its way on a California Poppy

Sunrise and Sunset always emit a glow

Sedona, Arizona offers a great opportunity to capture sunrise and sunsets. In August, it is best to get up early for sunrise, take an midday nap, and watch the sun go down. Plan to eat a later dinner.

Water glowing

Dewdrops on a spiderweb
Swimmers splashing in the golden hour
Slow shutter speed captures a water glow of a fountain

Painting with light

Does this doll conjure up a movie?
Playing with glow stick and flashlight as I paint with light

Slowing down the shutter speed can make for some interesting effects.

Tunnel lights
I have so much fun being a passenger

Thank you for taking the time to view my idea of glowing moments. Enjoy your own glowing moments, stay safe, and be kind!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #221 Flower Favorites – and Why?

This week Ann-Christine (Leya – To see a world in a grain of sand) hopes I will bring some colorful joy to us all. She would like a story to go with them. I have plenty of flowers in my photo library. I have a garden, but between lack of time, heat, and a puppy I don’t have many flowers. I love to visit and appreciate the efforts put in by others.

This is my unexpected flowering succulent. An ice plant relative.

Following the annual cycle of blooms, I visited Daffodil Hill in the spring. Over the years it’s popularity grew and overwhelmed this rural setting, and the privately owned ranch closed.

Daffodil Hill provided the backdrop for this photo with some visiting guide dogs in training.

Years ago I went with a friend on a cloudy, misty weekday. Few visitors that day.

So many varieties have been planted over the years. I miss this place.
A peaceful place., until word got out.
Spring and tulips go together.
The Hermitage Gardens in Grass Valley never disappoints!

With friends we go out searching, and come across many beautiful flowers as a bonus!

Mustard flowers bloom among the grape vines in Napa Valley
Sunflowers, zinnias, lotus, irises thistle and cactus flowers found on many outings around Northern California
A sea of flowers cover this hill
Love my California Poppies

Finding pollinators among the flowers is always a fun photograph.

Going to the California coast I love the different flowers I find.

Coastal wild flowers
Pride of Madeira

Botanical Garden and local nurseries display flowers of the area.

As you can see I love love being out finding flowers. My macro lens often brings a breeze, so not many macro shots. My gear now is Fuji xt4. I used my Nikon D7100 for my earlier shots. Now even my iPhone 13 pro gets some use.
i hope these flowers brought some beauty into your day, Any particular flower or image caught your attention?

Oh I forgot to say what flower is my favorite! I don’t have one. I am just not a real fan of cut flowers. I don’t like when they fade.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge # 203 Local Vistas

What are your local vistas? Where do you photograph when you don’t have a lot of time or are not on vacation? What about your hometown excites you? Is it the countryside, city, gardens, amusement venues? This week, Anne Sandler: Slow Shutter Speed wants me to tell and show local vistas.

Sacramento has been home since 1980. Yet with my local camera group I still find new things to photograph. There is a certain seasonal flow of vistas that show up during the year. For instance, Anne and I visited the Lotus Flower Garden “Peace Pond” this week. When I turned on the television Rob on the Road was interviewing the person responsible for this amazing Sacramento site. Started in 2005 this is now another reason the go to Land Park.

Asked to take a photo of some friends, and we got to talking

Within Land Park there is also the WPA Rock Garden. Always something to photograph.

The Sacramento Zoo is also located in Land Park, currently. There are exciting plans afoot in the coming years to move this zoo to Elk Grove so that it can provide a better habitat for the animals. Just a little further to drive.

The flamingos welcome you at the entrance of the Sacramento Zoo

In the coming weeks the sunflower fields located in Yolo County calls for photo captures. This image was taken last year.

No sunflowers were harmed in the taking of this photograph.

For people watching I head to Old Sacramento. No matter how many times I visit I find something new to focus on. But it is often the people wandering around. And people with dogs are my favs.

Trawler and his owner live on a houseboat that was docked in Old Sacramento.

This dog wants to share a drink.
Musician on a lunch break. His dog has his eyes on the fries!

Located in Old Sacramento is the California State Railroad Museum.

I find museum locations good when the temperature rises. This week June 2022 the temperature will be over 100° for multiple days. Also a good time to be home and blog!

Well that is just a touch of what I find locally around Sacramento.