Category: Potpourri

Addie has been feeling a bit left out since Sheila entered my life.  Not only did it turn out that a storage spot became available for Addie soon after I adopted Sheila, but also I’ve taken Addie only on a few short excursions since my west coast trip last summer.

Today, Sheila and I hopped into Addie and drove up to Moonstone Beach in Cambria, exercising Addie’s generator along the way.

These are a few images I know we all enjoyed!

What a fun afternoon!

Yesterday, Sheila and I hopped into Addie to give the two of them time to get acquainted.  We headed up to Cambria to look at the scarecrows.  Sheila did a FANTASTIC job waiting while I snapped photos! 

Meet Sheila, my three-year old 25 pound terrier catahoula mix (we think!). Last Sunday, only three days after returning from Peru, I went to Woods Humane Society to take a look at dogs.  I knew I wanted a 25-30 pound dog who is good with kids and other dogs, likes to hike, and is a good traveler. 

They brought out Sheila (not her name then – “Sheila” is the pen name I used when I wrote stories as a child), this sweet timid dog almost afraid of her own shadow who Animal Services had dropped off at Woods three weeks before.

She slowly warmed up, and I was smitten when Matt, the Woods handler, picked her up and she cuddled right into him.  That told me that all she needed was a bit of loving.

A few hours later, giving myself time to think and talk over the decision, I returned to Woods and brought Sheila home.

She so quickly adapted to home life that we think she was probably an abandoned pet.  Makes me so mad that someone would desert this sweet and wonderful doggie!

I’ve introduced her to kids and other dogs, and she does wonderfully with both.  Today, I took her on her first hike.  Well, she took me!  She practically pulled me up Islay Hill!

I love traveling.  I love exploring, seeing new places, meeting new people, making new friends…and I love my home.

For a bit, I’m “between trips” – and am enjoying having more space, being in my familiar surroundings, spending time with local family and friends, and relaxing.

I’m also appreciating taking my camera out in my neighborhood and seeing something “different” to capture.

Once in a “Blue Moon”: My attempt at photographing the moonrise

A wheelbarrow hanging out in a truck bed

Dew drops on a plant

Purple flower detail

The tunnel under the railroad is now open!

Neighborhood view from Righetti Hill

Beetle (not Beatle!)

This morning, I received an interesting email from National Geographic.  With a very exciting trip coming up, they forwarded a digital book from one of their photographers with tips for taking great and personally meaningful photos.  Although I had learned about many of the suggestions from the photography class I took, the book served as a great reminder of what to do – and not do – when capturing photos.

On today’s walkabout, I put some of the tips to use…and landed on shooting benches in different locations from different perspectives.

Although it started off foggy with wind gusts up to 40 mph, I loved hiking the Point Buchon Trail out of Montana d’Oro.  With a good friend, terrific conversation, and beautiful views, what could be better for taking some beautiful photos?

What?  Not having some dust on my camera’s sensor!  I got home from capturing magnificent views…only to find a “spot” in the upper edge of all of my pictures.  A bummer…yes.  After processing in Adobe Lightroom, I like the photos shown below.  AND it was a good experience for me as I learned how to blow the dust off of my camera sensor!

What an amazing festival! Since 2014, I’ve enjoyed the music and community at Live Oak Music Festival, attending about seven of the last ten events.  Last year and this year, I volunteered on Construction Crew, strapping on my tool belt to help erect fences, walls, and canopies.  This group of dedicated builders works over 30 hours, pre- and post-fest, to put up and take down infrastructure allowing participants to enjoy the terrific music available on the three stages at the festival. I am proud and honored to be a member of this phenomenal crew!

A few times during the festival itself, I grabbed my camera to capture some photos of the musicians and the crowd.  Below are my ten faves.

Musicians

Las Cafeteras

Rissi Palmer

Joe and Hattie Craven

Boot Juice

The Crowd

Although I love my new toy – a 70-300mm lens – I decided to return to some basics today.  On my walk around the neighborhood, I used my “old” lens (18-55mm) to capture trees, primarily focusing on their bark.  Since I haven’t shot fully manually recently, I decided to do a “Tree Study,” using only manual settings.  I’m pleased with the textures, colors, and varieties in these photos.

San Luis Obispo’s rainfall this year topped 175% of average.  Although the rain revealed a roof leak necessitating a garage makeover, the precipitation resulted in a superbloom of wildflowers throughout the state.  Thrice, I ventured out to enjoy nature’s splendor.

I shot these first few photos on March 27 on Shell Creek Road when the superbloom was really just a bloom.

On April 19, I returned to Shell Creek Road where I found a virtual carpet of flowers.

On our way to Joel’s cabin on April 20, we visited the Carizzo Plain National Monument where I captured wildflowers and Soda Lake.