Monday, February 28, 2011

Watery Wednesday / Salton Sea II

Click on photo to enlarge!
This is a continuation of my images from the Salton Sea, California USA.
My husband and I drove out to the desert to explore this place once again after many years.
The area sits on the San Andras Fault and is just slightly higher than the lowest elevation in the USA, Death Valley carries that distinction.
Water drains into this area and carries with it a high salinity content.
The intensely salty water has changed this area greatly just over the past 40 years.
I used to water ski here when I was a kid and now boating seems to be history, only.
Fish die in great numbers and their carcasses can be found lining the shores of this pretty scene.
Of course, I will post photos of the shoreline soon...
just hold your noses, 'cuz it stinks!
You can find my previous post here.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Blue Monday, Mellow Yellow / Salton Sea - Empty Beach

 Click on photo to enlarge!
We spent some time out at the Salton Sea, (California)  this afternoon.  This was a water-sports' paradise back in the 1950's and 1960's.  Since then the salinity levels have increased so much that the area has a strong stench of dead fish, especially in hot weather.
It was a pleasant 68 degrees (F) today...not too stinky.
I will be posting more photos in the coming days and some will be quite graphic showing the skeletal remains of the fish. The shoreline is covered with birds feasting on very salty fish!
Needless to say...my shoes are outside and will stay there after an afternoon walking the shores of this quite scenic, but stinky place!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Today's Flowers / Lensbaby Work

Click on photos to enlarge!
A rose from a friend's wedding last weekend.

This is a Magenta Senetti that I have in a pot in my yard.
I used my Lensbaby Composer with the soft focus optic, and macro +10 on these shots...way fun!

Today's Flowers

Thursday, February 24, 2011

SkyWatch Friday, Weekend Reflections / Pastel Light

Click on photo to enlarge!
This is Crescent Bay at Laguna Beach, California.
It was taken facing opposite the sunset looking southeast on February 17, 2011.
This is one special little patch of sand along our Orange County Beaches.
You can see images while looking in other directions here and here.
HDR with 3 exposures: -2, 0, 2
(and)

Monday, February 21, 2011

My World Tuesday, Blue Monday, Watery Wednesday / Golden Sand

Click on photos to enlarge!
This is a continuation of my evening at the beach last week.
My previous post and this are from Crescent Bay, Laguna Beach, California USA.
No matter which direction I gazed, I saw the most incredible color and light that I have seen in a long time.
The next day...RAIN!

These are HDR photos with 3 exposures at -2, 0, 2 and then fused with Photomatix software.



Friday, February 18, 2011

Weekend Reflections, Scenic Sunday, Sunset Sunday, Mellow Yellow / There's GOLD in the Sand!

Click on photo to enlarge!
I spent the late afternoon and evening at this wonderful little cove called, "Crescent Bay."
It's part of Laguna Beach, California.
A storm is supposed to bring us rain all weekend. 
The new weather system brings us a golden sunset!
I wonder if the man on the rocks found a better view???
Hmmm...I'll have to check it out next time!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

SkyWatch Friday / 2:21:30

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It is 2:21:30 and the sky is now getting white with over-cast.
The rain will be here soon!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Blue Monday, Ruby Tuesday / Happy Valentine's Day

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I saw this valentine on the window of a stationery store.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Lensbaby Composer, double glass optic, f2

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Today's Flowers, Mellow Yellow / Iceland Poppies, Indio, California USA

 Click on photo to enlarge!
 It was a beautiful sunny day and perfect for an afternoon drive out to the desert.
I found these Iceland Poppies in the desert region of Indio, California which is in the heart of the Coachella Valley.
February 10, 2011
Lensbaby, Composer, f4, double glass optic

Thursday, February 10, 2011

SkyWatch Friday, Weekend Reflections / Wavy Mirrored Glass

 Click on photo to enlarge!
The glass on the side of this building is wavy and it sure collects quite an assortment of reflections!
It's a business building in Riverside, California.
February 5, 2011

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Watery Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday / A Walk Across the Sand

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Oh, yes...the water is there and a few surfers are enjoying the late afternoon hours on February 6, 2011.
Some watch the Super Bowl while others choose a great beach day!
This guy is about to join the others.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Watery Wednesday / Sugar Coated Water Drops

 Click on photo to enlarge!
The reflections on these water drops remind me of sugar...maybe I'm just hungry???
I put a red and white polka-dot towel underneath a glass plate lined with waxed paper.
I sprinkled water droplets across the plate trying to not allow them to blend together.
A little side lighting, 60mm macro lens and a long exposure created this "master-piece."
Okay...not a master-piece but, it was fun!
One idea leads to the next...more colorful background next time and a lot more water droplets!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Blue Monday, Mellow Yellow & Ruby Tuesday - Perched in Palm Springs, California USA

Click on photo to enlarge!
These two guys are perched in a GREAT Mexican restaurant in Palm Springs, California USA
My husband and I perch ourselves there every so often too!



Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Watery Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday / Sunset at Puddingstone Lake, San Dimas, Calfifornia USA

 Click on photo to enlarge!
Tonight's sunset from Puddingstone Lake in San Dimas, California USA

Watery Wednesday
Outdoor Wednesday

Pretty in Pink

Pretty in Pink!
Click on photo to enlarge!
I brought home some tulips from our local florist and then played with my Lensbaby Composer to get this shot.


Today's Flowers
This is My World Tuesday

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Mellow Yellow, Ruby Tuesday, Blue Monday, Midweek Blues - Under a Pier

Click on photo to enlarge!
There were several pilings behind me as I took this photo because the tide was out so far.
It was a rather chilly day at the beach with a thick marine layer and wind.
But I think a bad day at the beach is still a very good day!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Weekend Reflections - Cold Weather Fishing - Newport Pier, Newport Beach, California USA

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Fishing on the Newport Pier, Newport Beach, California
It was cloudy, damp and cold yesterday at the beach but, sunny and warm 30 miles inland.
What a difference a few miles can make!

SkyWatch Friday - Feeding Seagulls!

I was under the pier at Newport Beach, CA taking pictures when suddenly a mass of seagulls launched into the air and hovered overhead.

 This guy caught a morsel tossed from the side of the pier.
The beach was very damp, cold and cloudy...just a white sky!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Phun Phriday, Today's Flowers, Mellow Yellow, Ruby Tuesday & Color Carnival / ZOOM!

ZOOM!
I had some PHUN playing with Photoshop again.
This is a 25% zoom using Photoshop Elements 5.
I would really like to accomplish this in camera.
Eventually I'll see what I can do.
Click on the photo to enlarge (if you really want to get dizzy)

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Phun Phriday / Twirling Cocktail Umbrellas

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I had a little phun with my cocktail umbrellas in Elements 5.
A 10% radial blur got these umbrellas twirling!

Camera Critters / My Kitty

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This is my kitty photographed with my new Lensbaby Composer lens!
I think I am going to have lots of fun with this new toy!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Camera Critters, Mellow Yellow, Ruby Tuesday - Behind the Scenes of the Rose Parade, Pasadena, California USA

 Click on photos to enlarge!
I drove to Pasadena to 3 different locations where the float decorating was taking place.
If you saw the parade, either live or via t.v., you probably saw some of these images gracing the floats.
These beautiful horses were on the float which was dedicated to "Saving the Mustangs."
They are covered in various seeds to create their beautiful markings.



White mums are being applied to this cute little face!

This man is cutting dried flowers into tiny pieces.

These giant flowers are waiting to be covered in seeds and then they will support beautiful floral bouquets once mounted upon their float.

I also photographed buckets of white roses which are on my previous post.
You can see them here.