Calle Lilies

I was at a client’s house today regarding some real estate and they have a beautiful yard with flowers all around. I just happened to have my camera with me and I asked them if I could take a few photos. I photographed these calle lilies and some beautiful wisteria. I thought this would make a good last photo of the month. I would love to take some more photos there someday. 

The calle lilies are in bloom again…

I took this photo with my Canon SD800 which was in my purse! I took my 20D to the Canon service center today to get the sensor cleaned. It was late in the day so I will pick it up first thing in the morning. My little camera takes real good photos and videos. I did a few errands today and had a couple of appointments. All in all it was a good day. Nice to not have to worry about school this week but I still have some assignments to work on.  Now it is time to start thinking about my next month of photos!

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More Shadows and Texture

I was at Central Park earlier and I wanted to catch some morning shadows. I caught a few, plus many different textures! I liked this photo because of the contrast, along with the foregound, middle and background. It leads you down the path around the tree – do you want to know where it goes? It was a great morning at the park. Again, many people  taking advantage of the nice weather. I like to go off by myself to take photos but I really need Willie as my motivator. He always has  good suggestions.

Checking out the “jungle” trail at Central Park…

Willie is always wanting to learn more about taking photos. I tell him he needs to read his manual and discover what the camera can do. But like so many other people, he doesn’t want to learn that way! We were talking about the continuous shooting mode on his camera this morning. He said, “If I had known about that, I could have taken better pictures at the races a few weeks ago! That is what I was trying to do!” You know what I said to him? “Read your manual!” It is good advice for everybody – my teacher on Saturday morning keeps telling us that!

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Shadows and Texture

I enjoy photographing shadows and textures, especially in nature, so I am pleased with this image. I used my 50 mm lens at f8 and I am surprised there is not more depth of field. I will have to ask someone about that. I am really enjoying taking all of these photos to share with you and I like exploring and looking for new things to shoot. Some days it is hard to do, but so far I have not missed a day, even though there have been a few snapshots thrown in!

Jasmine roots wrapped around a bakers rack…

Yesterday in class I heard my instructor telling another student not to post photos of your dogs or cats. He said no one else really cares. As the owner, you have an emotional attachment to the animal and you see how cute and loving they are. So, I guess that makes sense and I will not post any more photos of Kyla or Donnan (unless I feel it is totally irresistible!). Really, I guess I get a little carried away sometimes and I am sorry! We never got to speak with the birthday boy yesterday but we left him a message on his cell phone and sang Happy Birthday to him.

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Practice in Depth of Field

I took the photo this morning at school. I loved the colors and I enjoy working on shallow depth of field. This is an unusual subject but it met all of my objectives. I took a few other photos but this one was the best example. I tried to switch the focus but that was not working for me. I will try again with a different subject. It is fun just playing with different settings.

A rather unusual subject…

Today is a very special day – it is Larry’s birthday! He and Shelley are up at Mammoth (again). Class was good this morning.  There is no class next Saturday and we have only two more meetings. I will be going  to my friends house this week to take photos of her horses, chickens and dogs. She wants them for an invitation she is doing. I also got a call this morning to photograph a wedding. I hope it works out. That client from two weeks ago still hasn’t put up the new photos I did for him for his website. I wonder what the delay is?

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Refractive Colors of Crystal

I was playing around outside late this afternoon with some pieces of crystal on a white board. I was trying to get colors coming through different pieces but I couldn’t do more than one at a time. They were unable to stand up on their own. I decided to see what this clear cut crystal would look like. I used my +4 macro filter so you can see there is not much depth of field. I will challenge you to find the focal point! I liked the results and was somewhat surprised at all of the blue.

My second turtle of the month…

I have been reading about some dog training (which I told you about yesterday) and I have also been trying to learn about Twitter. I did get an account and have a few followers and followees. I really don’t get what it is, but I guess I am not the only one. I called my brother today and he said he had just tried to “twitter” me. I guess I sent him an invite – I can’t remember. Anyway, I didn’t get anything from him and he says he doesn’t understand it either. I have read a few blogs, etc., but I need someone to help me with it. Any takers? Only five hits yesterday, what is going on people?

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How Can an Angel Be Such a Diablo?

My baby boy Donnan is so very sweet and kind. However, he gives us some problems! I took him for a walk this morning by himself to give him some one on one attention. He did great. We live close to a grammar school and the kindergarten kids were out on recess. I purposely crossed the street so he could see them. The kids ran to the fence to see him and he was so scared. Why is he so insecure? We went by a few other dogs and of course he growled and wanted to bark. I cannot tell him that it is alright because that just reinforces the behavior and he would think being scared is alright.

Doesn’t he look like a sweetheart…?

I took this photo over a year ago but it has always been one of my favorites. I did a lot of reading today on dog training. I think where we failed with him was we never took him for puppy training and he was not socialized with other dogs or other people. I took Kyla up to our local PetSmart and she loves everybody. I need help! Is there anyone who can help me?  His problems are socialization with other people (especially children) and any other dog. He is great with us, of course, and loves it when Larry comes over. He barks at Shelley, but she just ignores him, which I think is the right thing to do. Help!!!

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A Class Photo Shoot

At class last  night we were in groups of 4 people and were given a “movie poster” to do. We could use any props we could find at school or something we had brought from home. Our movie was Grease and we were doing it quite literally. Our teacher, Jason (in the middle of the photo), wanted us to do the essence of the movie. I took this photo to show a few of the people in our group working on it. It was fun working with the professional lights and listening to his suggestions.

Working on a school project…

This is another unusual photo for me to share and I guess, again, it is a snapshot. But sometimes that is the only thing to represent my daily life. The weather is gorgeous today. I met with some clients this morning after getting my hair trimmed. I played some with my video but I cannot seem to get the Photo to Movie software to do what I want it to do. I think I may contact them. I can still do my museum assignment because he gave us another week (that’s good), and tonight I have my web class. My life is so busy!

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My Neighbors Have the Pretty Roses!

This is from Eleanor’s front yard, she lives right across the street. She has many pretty flowers in her yard. I figured you would want to see this rather than another dog or some wildlife! I really like the color – doesn’t it seem a little different? She had some nice pink and white roses too, but I chose this one. It was a little windy again so I was glad I was able to get the photo.

A peach of a rose…

It was a very sunny day today and it was warmer too. Willie took the dogs for a walk today and brought me another pretty rock. I had a good meeting with my broker this morning. We were able to get some good work done. I worked on my slide show  today from the races a couple of weeks ago. I really want to get it done so I can share it with you! I have class tonight and I hope it is not going to be too late.

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A Windy Afternoon at Central Park

We were at the park again today on the west side. They have a big lake there that actually has some water in it! Not like on the east side of the park where they only have water right after a rain. It was so windy and you can see the ripple in the water and the tall grass blowing. There were a lot of people there taking advantage of the afternoon sunshine. Kyla and Donnan enjoyed it also, along with Willie and me. It was after 5:00 P.M. when I took this photo so it was getting quite chilly.

Winter afternoon at Central Park…

There are a few ducks in this photo and you can see (if you look closely) where the bridal trail is in the back. Kyla loves seeing the horses when they ride by.  I was supposed to meet with my broker today but we changed it to tomorrow morning. We  need to get ourselves organized and get some work done. Then I have class tomorrow night so it will be a busy day. I have nothing for class, so I guess I will let my group down and get an “F” for tomorrow.  I think my photo for today is rather blah – I am sorry and I will do better tomorrow.

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Is She Not the Most Beautiful Dog?

I guess I kind of got a little over board with the dog photos this month! Kyla and I went to the dog park this afternoon. I just cannot take Donnan right now. I need to figure out what to do to make him less aggressive and stop barking. Anyway, it got very windy this afternoon after a little morning drizzle. She just wanted to play and was having so much fun! She plopped down on the ground and I took this photo. Her hair is gettin g so long! Donnan’s is too. I enjoy taking photos at the dog park and I need to take a lot to get a good one. But that is the way it is with all photographs!

This wheaten looks like a sheep dog….

We were all happy to see Willie come home last evening. He had a good time with Larry and he took some really good photos. We did not do much today except the park. I also did some grocery shopping and we had a great roast for dinner. We will have some good sandwiches this week. I am getting these posts up too late in the day, I think. I need to start taking my photos the day before I post them instead of the day of the post. I used to do that and I don’t know when it changed. I was unable to get to a museum today so I think I have blown my assignment for Tuesday night class!

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A Dog Named Buddy

This beautiful dog was at the dog park the other day.  His owner said he is a Shar-Pei –  he must be a Shar-Pei mix. I took a lot of photos but I particularly liked this one. He was so alert and stood there for a long time watching what was going on. I don’t know what he was looking for but he was looking out for all of the dogs there. A couple of times he would bark and then run out a few yards and then run back. He may have been keeping an eye on his other family members! Doesn’t he look almost regal?

Buddy, the Shar-Pei….

I had a full day today and I am happy that Willie will be home later this evening. Kyla and Donnan keep looking for him so they will be happy tonight too. My class was good this morning and I have many photos to take this week. Annette and I went to lunch and it was very enjoyable. When I got home, I kept busy with housework (so exciting) and worked on the images for my slide show. It is so cold today!  I really hope it warms up a little very soon!

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My Neighbor’s Rose

I noticed this rosebush and the beautiful roses across the street at my neighbor’s house. I went in the house to get my camera and I stood on the sidewalk to take the photo. It looks so pretty with the white fence  in the background. The roses turn more white as they open up and mature. Aren’t they pretty? I have a lot of photos of cars and animals this month so I thought I would soften things up with a rose.

A gorgeous white rose with a touch of pink….

I dropped Willie off at Larry’s work this afternoon. They are on their way up to Mammoth. They will be home late tomorrow afternoon. It will be a good bonding time for both of them. Shelley went up to Santa Maria (just north of Santa Barbara) to visit with her brother. I am here at home with Kyla and Donnan! I have class in the morning, then I do not know what I will do with the rest of my day!

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Huntington Beach Coastline

This is a photo I took from the Huntington Beach pier late one recent evening. It was a chilly evening but there were still some diehards on the beach. Lights are starting to flicker on. The water is blue and silvery with the setting sun glistening down. Winter and early spring is a great time to go down to the pier. I guess any time of year is a good time!

A wintery evening in Surf City…

The weather was starting to warm up a little but now I hear we may have some rain this week-end. It changes from day to day! Class was good last night and we are learning a lot about CSS and Spry Widgets. I have some photos to do for my Saturday morning class and some more work on my slide show. My work is never done! I am glad I do not have a class tonight – I can sit and relax with Willie and the dogs!

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A Turtle in the Wild

I have never been much of a nature/wildlife photographer (unless you count the dogs at the dog park), but I took a few photos of this turtle at the park the other day before he jumped back into the water. I was using my telephoto lens without a tripod, so I wish it were somewhat sharper. I did the best I could with what I was working with. He looks like he is enjoying the beautiful late afternoon sun. What a life he has!

Basking in the sun on a spring afternoon…

I feel like I have been sitting at the computer all day today! Willie had to go to Long Beach again today and I think he will be there every day for a while. I have to do a slide show for my photography class so I was working on that getting some photos ready. Since I want to do a slide show from the VARA race anyway, I will use that one for class. It will be fancier then I had originally planned, plus there will be music, so that is a good thing. I have advanced web design class tonight, so I better get ready to go! I wonder where the turtle came from?

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

You can’t get much more Irish than having Bridget as your name! I was named after my maternal grandmother who came from County Kent Ireland. In Ireland at that time, Bridget was normally the name of a maid – not of an upper class person.  Her family name was Brosnan. My paternal grandfather was from Scotland. His family name was Burns – for some reason my mother always claimed her Irish heritage but not her Scotish! We will never know why! Our two dogs, Kyla and Donnan, are of Irish breed with very Irish names.

An Irish Shamrock…

This photo is of one earring in a set my mother gave me several years ago. I took it outside and used my +4 macro filter. You can see that the depth of field is very shallow. The earring is maybe one-half inch long. I took it off just long enough today to take a photo. I finished the job for my new client today. I have class tonight and I think it is going to be a couple of hours of lecture only – no lab work. Willie is going to Long Beach and we will have a late dinner when I get home. It just doesn’t get any better!

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My Little Diablo, Donnan

Here is a new photo of Donnan. Kyla and I went to the dog park and I took a lot of photos. Willie took Donnan for a walk because he (Donnan) does not do well at the dog park. He barks too much and appears to be very aggressive. I think that for some reason he is very insecure – I do not know why! Kyla is a sweetheart and we can take her anywhere. Willie had me go over by the lake to take some photos of a turtle – you may see one at a later time. Willie was walking up with Donnan and I could not resist that sweet little face. What a Mr. Hyde he can be!

He is showing his Dr. Jekyll side, all sweet and nice…

The weather was nice today. I finished the photos for my client and emailed a contact sheet to him this morning. He said he will call me later tonight. I was happy with them and I hope he is too. We were over at Westminster Mall today and went to the pet store. They had this really cute goldendoodle (retriever and miniture poodle) there. He was very cute and they wanted $1095.00 for him! Two dogs is more than enough for us but it is fun to look at the puppies! Until tomorrow…!

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