In a world of so many great photographers and writers, I am venturing into some unknown territories, leaving comfort zones, finally very willing to practice the art of seeing. By maintaining the practice of posting daily photos, I hope to continue learning about the possibilities that I trust are out there for the taking.
Yes, it’s no call Tuesday. Mid year I declared Tuesdays are now my day, a day without interruption (Exception – my son Lane’s call). A day to get caught up. Or a day to do something fun. Or, like right now, to just let the day unfold going over a bunch of throw away photos from yesterday’s morning hike. I don’t know if I’m going to pick up my camera today and I don’t want to wait until to the end of the day to post a blog photo.
Adult, Black Throated Sparrow, I spotted at the end of yesterday's hike. I'd noticed these nervous birds on previous hikes. When we'd walk by them, they'd all fly away. Yesterday morning, I approached the bushes they hang in slowly, inching my way closer, hoping to photograph one of the birds. This bird wasn't scared.
Going solo this morning.
San Jacinto.
No models this morning:-)
Shot while walking a few holes of golf with Ray at dusk tonight.
What a great day I had. Early morning hike with friends. Katya helped me buy some holiday clothes and made the dreaded shopping excursion painless. xxoo Katya. Lunch at Native Food with Jen and Katya. Home. Out with Ray while he walked a few holes of golf while I tagged along with my camera. Then, Dexter!!!!
I lead Saturday hikes for the Mission Hills CC in-season. Today was our second hike since the “Snowbirds” returned to the desert. I don’t know what your weather is like but here in the desert our days are incredibly beautiful.
This morning’s hike began around 8am. There were 10 of us. I enjoyed having Jen join us this morning. A few of today’s hikers will be joining Jen, Ann, me, and Katya on a 7am hike tomorrow morning.
We are not a glum lot!
More photos from today’s hike HERE.
Beginning photo from this morning's hike. Tina, Ann and Jen. Tina was in the desert with her mom visiting her mom's friends.
Nothing pleases me more than seeing the girls have fun with each other. Tina and Jen.
These photo jumping sessions on our hikes are definitely attitude adjusting. We laugh so hard. At one point I wanted Tina to jump high like Jen. Tina tried. Later in the hike I happened to mention that Jen was a gymnast. Tina quickly turned back to me and said, "Jen was a gymnast and you wanted me to jump as high as Jen?"
Sometimes Jen has interesting ideas.
The sun had just set. The light on the lake seemed like a great backgound for some cartwheels.
On her way up or down?
Jen used to be a gymnist. Can you tell?
Poor Jen. I directed her to show me her face.
Jen likes this shot.
This is my fav!
Oh wait, maybe this is my favorite shot.
Ann and John came by for a visit while we were out shooting.
Stacy and I finally received the Cineskates we’d helped fund on KickStarter.
Stacy and I were rolling our Cineskates at the same time (opposite eachother) at a slow shutter speed of 1/13th sec.
After four hours of manhandling the three unwieldy legs of the tripod, our crippled hands managed to find a way to finally get a smooth video dolly shot. Thanks to my star, Stacy (who needs to remember lyrics better:-)).
We do have fun.
Groggy and half asleep, we meet at 5:45 am and walk in the alley behind the Vons shopping center parking lot to get to the trailhead. It’s dark and it’s scary in the alley. We walk in silence because we are still in that morning, “don’t talk to me mode”. Until… we reach the window where the 50s and up are enthusiastically moving in the Jazzercise class led by a most energetic man, standing on some elevated structure up front. Then, through the laughter, conversations begin. We find ourselves saying, “Wow, they’re really into this”. No judgment here as we make our way up the hill.
The early morning Jazzercisers.
We don’t usually hike in the afternoon but I’m glad I didn’t let the dark clouds stop me from meeting Jen at 3:30pm today.
I’d emailed Jen saying I would be bringing my camera and a small old (lighter) 420 Speedlite flash and Honlphoto 1/2CTO 1/4 cut I velcro attached to the flash head, hoping to match the flash light color with any orange hue from a sunset colored sky.
It turned out we shot more than we hiked. But neither of us cared.
Hero shot! Great jumping Jen.
We didn't do much hiking as you can see.
Jen can just keep jumping.
Can you tell Jen loves dance?
When the flash wouldn't fire we got lucky with this silhouette.
Pretty Lady, thank you for a fun time:-) I'm learning how to have fun.
And now here are some photos Jen Clark shot of me.
I'm not great at the jumping thing:-)
It took me 10 tries attempting to follow Jen's direction to hop up on my right leg and lift my left leg up in front of me. Do you think I could do it?