Eyes, Mind, Heart

Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens

2011-06-07T11:32:00.001-07:00

I haven't posted to this blog in a while. Though I've taken tons of photos I haven't been able to do much visiting so I thought it only fair that I didn't post and draw comments and visits that I didn't have time to return. But I've missed posting my photos and I've got to do this for me so... I'm back and hope I find time to return any comments and visits that I get. These are from my visit to the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens in Claremont, California.

Life at Bolsa Chica - Watery Wednesday

2011-02-15T19:30:00.001-08:00

Wow, I haven't posted on this blog in a while. I don't have much time lately and my posting has been limited to my Watery Wednesday blog. But I took so many shots this weekend I needed to share them. Here goes...

Watery Wednesday #85

2010-05-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

I went up to Bonelli Park tonight...well, by the time you see this it will be last night, just before sunset. I wasn't sure which of these to post on the main blog so I posted the rest of them here. There is just something very calm and relaxing which is why I love doing Watery Wednesday.

The one below isn't a water shot but I had to post it. I looked up and the graceful bird went soaring overhead.

Click here or on the image/icon below to participate and visit other watery posts:

Mellow Yellow Monday/Today's Flowers

2010-05-03T10:49:00.000-07:00

I haven't been able to do much meme-ing lately. I've missed Mellow Yellow Mondays. I'm home waiting to get my garage door fixed so I've got a chance to catch some yellow this morning.

If I've got this right, this is a Fremotrodendron, also called Ken Taylor and California Glory. I've only seen these a couple of places. These photos were taken at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens. It's a huge place but not very visible from the streets as the entrance is almost tucked away behind Claremont College.

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday, the brightest meme on the internet, and brighten up your day.

If you like flowers, check out the link below for more photos from bloggers participating in Today's Flowers.

Weekend Reflections

2010-05-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

No weekend reflections post on the main meme but I'll post one anyway. I like this shot. I love the reflections in the water, especially the clouds. Who would think the water would reflect even the clouds in the water?

For more reflections click on the icon below...

Weekend Reflections #31

2010-04-24T11:41:00.001-07:00

My first Weekend Reflections post. I hope I have the time to do this each week and I hope this is enough of a reflection for this theme.

For more reflections click on the icon below...

Spring Is In The Air

2010-04-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

I love Spring. Everything just comes to life, the weather is perfect, everything is green and beautiful. What a perfect time of the year. These were taken at one of my favorite spots, Descanso Gardens in La Canada/Flintridge, California. One of the things I love about this places is that the life there is seasonal and there is always something new to see.

I love this photo above because of the shadows created by the shade of the trees. Isn't it beautiful - the light and contrasts against all of the pretty green grass and leaves?

Sky Watch Friday

2010-04-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

This was taken at Bonelli Park. Anyone who has visited my blog knows this park is right up the street from me so I have a lot of photos of this lake.

To participate in Sky Watch Friday and/or to see more great photos of the sky from all over the world Click here or on the Sky Watch Icon below:

Watery Wednesday #84

2010-04-20T12:03:00.001-07:00

I hope I haven't shared these photos in one of my others blogs. These are shots from my trip to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. At this time of the year while everything is green from the rain, it is absolutely gorgeous there! I never ran out of wonderful things to photograph and there was plenty of water.

Click here or on the image/icon below to participate and visit other watery posts:

Today's Flowers - Magnolias

2010-04-19T12:29:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I've been able to participate in Today's Flowers. I'm glad I got a chance to post and visit this week!

These were taken last month at one of my favorite spots, Descanso Gardens in La Canada/Flintridge, California. There were magnolia blossoms everywhere!

If you like flowers, check out the link below for more photos from bloggers participating in Today's Flowers.

My World Tuesday - Photo Tour/The Giraffes

2010-04-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

My world right now is still focused on my trip to the San Diego Wild Animal Park last week. I had such a great time, just me and my camera that I'm still reeling from all of the photos I took and at how beautiful the who park was. I can't wait to go back and would love to before summer sets in and the heat starts turning everything brown.

On my way back from training in San Diego, I stopped at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. I actually splurged and took the photo tour. I thought it would feel a little like being on safari. It was great but it really wasn't worth the $90 they charge. That's too much for what you get. I don't regret doing it but I don't think I would do it again. Entirely too much money.

Anyhoo, it was still cool to get a closer look at the animals and it was an amazing experience to watch the giraffes come right up to the truck and stick their heads in looking for the leaves they would be fed. If you've got the money to "splurge" I would recommend it just for the experience. Still, they really need to drop that price.

My hat's off to the tour guide. She was full of interesting information about the animals and the park. Can't wait to post more of my photos from my trip to SDWAP and this photo tour.

Nesting Season

2010-04-17T12:07:00.001-07:00

I hope you won't get sick of my San Diego Wild Animal Park photos. It was such a joy to shoot photos there, especially of the birds. I believe they're so used to people they're not flightly and fidgety. It's actually pretty easy to believe that some of them are hams and actually enjoy having their photo taken.

Its nesting season. Most of the birds were paired up and building nests.

Butterflies - SDWAP

2010-04-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

These are butterflies from the butterfly exhibit at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. I can't get over how many photos I took and not just of the butterflies. Personally, I can't wait to go back again. I could stay there all day...

Watery Wednesday

2010-04-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a lot of time to post lately but I'm going to try to find the time because I have so many photos to post. I was in San Diego for training last week and I had the chance to visit the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Wow! It's been a long, long time since I was there and I had so much fun with my camera. I'll let the photos speak for themselves....

These are just a few, and I do mean just a few of the photos I took. Some of these birds really just stood there and posed for you.

Click here or on the image/icon below to participate and visit other watery posts:

Watery Wednesday #76

2010-02-23T13:37:00.000-08:00

One of these days I'll be able to do more to my photo blog than my Watery Wednesday additions, but I so love sharing my photos and hope you enjoy them. These and the one on the main Watery Wednesday meme page are from my trip back to Bolas Chica this past weekend. It was beautiful to me, cloudy and all.

This is the beach directly across the street. Normally I don't go over to it but this day I could hear and actually see the waves crashing and it lured me over. It was beautiful.

From this view you can't tell that the storm clouds were behind me slowly edging their way in this direction. And... the one below is watery but I couldn't resist posting this capture.

Happy Watery Wednesday!

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Watery Wednesday #75

2010-02-16T12:09:00.000-08:00

These are a continuation of my photo on the main Watery Wednesday meme blog. These and the other were taken up at Bonelli Park yesterday just before the sun was about to set. It was so interesting watching the geese. At one point I thought one was trying to drown the other because it was holding it under water. I wish those shots came out clear enough to post. I finally figured out that they were probably mating.

My photos below were taken standing at the same spot as the photo above but looking over to the right.

Happy Watery Wednesday!

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Watery Wednesday #74

2010-02-09T09:37:00.001-08:00

A continuation from the water shot on the meme page. These were taken at Bolsa Chica Wetlands back in May of 2009. As I walked along the path I could see this group of birds circling and circling. As I got close enough I could see that they were diving into the water. There must have been a huge school of fish there because...

they kept circling the water and diving in for as long as I felt like standing there taking photos. I did post some of these before but I don't remember which ones and I'm too lazy to go check. LOL!

Have a great WATERY WEDNESDAY!!

Happy Watery Wednesday!

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NATURE'S ABSTRACTS

2010-02-05T08:34:00.000-08:00

By the way, my SkyWatch post is below this one.

I took these a while back but I think I only posted one of them. Sometimes it's the not so pretty things that when you look at it the right perspective, can actually be quite beautiful. I really like these and I love the colors. Just some nasty moss around the edge of the lake near the fishing pier... but it sure made for some interesting photos.

SkyWatch Friday - Santa Fe Dam/Reservoir, California - August 2009

2010-02-04T11:42:00.000-08:00

I haven't done a Skywatch Friday in a while. I've really missed all of those lovely shots of the sky everyone posts. I don't have a whole lot of different pictures to share between July and now. With work and travel time and all, I haven't been out as much as I'd like. I did, however, get these one day as sunset at the Santa Fe Dam/Reservoir. Man, what an absolutely breathtaking sunset that was. I wish it had lasted a little longer.

Bonelli Park - January 2010

2010-02-03T08:11:00.000-08:00

Since I've been back to work I haven't been able to get out much to take shots. The time change hasn't helped either since its dark long before I get home. I was able to get a few shots. These are just a few from my most recent trip to the lake near my house at Bonelli Park. Oh, did I mention that I locked my keys in the car. There I stood with my coffee, camera and the keys sitting on the driver seat as I looked through the window. What a day... but got some great shots.

This could suffice for my Watery Wednesday post but it's actually below this one.

Watery Wednesday #73

2010-02-02T09:19:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd be able to post a little more before Watery Wednesday rolled around again but that didn't happen. Still, I did get out to Bolsa Chica Wetlands/Ecological Reserve this past weekend. I had such a great time. There weren't quite as many birds as I've seen before but the ones that were there definitely put on a show. This is right up my Watery Wednesday alley so I hope you enjoy them all. This is my Watery Wednesday input (wetlands...get it? LOL!)

The first thing I saw when I got out of the car was this pelican flying around and then diving into the water for fish, then it just chilled in the water with its buddy.

Happy Watery Wednesday!

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Watery Wednesday #72

2010-01-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time since I've been able to post a Watery Wednesday to my own blog. I love my water shots and hope you enjoy this one. This was taken at Descanso Gardens in La Canada/Flintridge, California.

Happy Watery Wednesday!

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I'm Back!

2010-01-25T13:19:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm back and hoping to see how long I can keep this current. I started work in July and I've been hard pressed to get out, take pictures and keep things current on this blog. I really miss sharing my photos here when I finally get a chance to take them. Let's see... what should I post?

I went to Descanso Gardens. At this time of the year there's not much in bloom but I always seem to find something to take photos of there. No roses but plenty of camellias so I could get my favorite fallen camellias in the water shots.

This is the rose garden now - really drab with all of the bushes cut back. Even the trees look threadbare and yet it's still pretty to me.

There were a few birds flittering about but not quite as many as I usually see.

As for the photo below, well.... this is why I think flies are just nasty!

Today's Flowers - One Year Anniversary

2009-08-09T10:04:00.000-07:00

Congratulation to the Today's Flowers team on a wonderful year of flowers from all over the world!

My new job and travel time doesn't give me much time to blog and visit everyone. I really miss it. So, I was determined to spend some time blogging. I feel like it's been so long I can't even remember which days I'm supposed to do which memes. I think I've got this one right. We'll soon find out.

I don't know what this little flower is. It was growing in a pot in my sister's back yard and the flower was probably no bigger than my thumbnail but I thought it was really pretty.

If you like flowers, check out the link below for more photos from bloggers participating in Today's Flowers.

I Miss Blogging!

2009-07-25T08:57:00.001-07:00

Where do I even begin to catch up for the two weeks that I haven't been able to touch my blog? Even now as I sit here I know I shouldn't be as I've got so much to do but I just had to post something and visit some of the blogs I've really missed. I missed the memes and everything! I haven't even taken any photos and I'm going through withdrawal.

The only photos I've taken were from a meet 'n greet and I'm posting two of the views from the balcony of the hotel banquet room we rented for the party. In the first shot, the streaks of light on the bottom are actually car lights from the cars on the freeway. I think it's pretty cool the way it turned out.

Okay, so here's the story. I'd been unemployed for over a year and Praise God I FINALLY got a job. Let's just say that it's not close to me and from the time I get up to the time I get home it's about 14 hrs. That only leaves 10 hrs. to my day, and since I have some things to do when I get home, like eat, wash some clothes, return a call or two... my sleep time has been about 6 hrs. a day.

And to top everything else off, I'm so low on funds it's not funny. Some people live paycheck to paycheck. I'm living just to get to my first check. My unemployment ran out a month before my start day so I've had NO money coming in except what I could borrow and it's so hard for me to reach out my hand and ask for help because I've never had to. At the moment I've got $10 to my name and need a full tank of gas to make it to work next week. No credit cards to fall back on because all my bills are late but thank God they're willing to work with me and I know that some how, some way, God will continue to supply all my needs. I'm not joking when I say he's met all my needs during the time I was unemployed and I know He won't stop now. He didn't carry me through this race to drop me just inches before the finish line.

It was easy for me to see how people become depressed and suicidal without God's love and support behind them to keep them strong and focused. If you haven't been here, it's not easy to know you've got no money coming in and everything around you is falling apart, needs to be fixed, creditors are calling nonstop looking for money you don't have and there is nothing you can do about it. Trust me when I say that ANYONE can go from having everything to having nothing. I was a thin line away from losing it all but Praise God that I am still in my house and that the end is in sight.

Anyhoo...for anyone who wants to know where I've been the past 2 weeks and why, this is my life, this is my story. I give myself another couple of weeks before I can waste gas going somewhere to take photos again. I miss getting out taking photos but there is a light at the end of my tunnel, Praise God, and I'm focused on that light.

Camera Critters

2009-07-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

Just some of the little critters that entertained me on a trip to Descanso Gardens.

If you like these little critters you should check out the Camera Critters meme for a wide variety of little cutie critters by clicking on the icon below:

Sky Watch Friday

2009-07-09T12:59:00.001-07:00

This is the wonderfully cloudy sky as I was driving up the 15 Freeway past Norco, going uphill as I headed to the Wine and Balloon festival last month in Temecula. I loved the way the sky looked over the hills on both sides of the freeway. I wish the images really captured the total view. The rolling hills are beautiful when they're are all green after a rain. Now they are all dry but their golden color is still beautiful in its own right.

To participate in Sky Watch Friday and/or to see more great photos of the sky from all over the world Click here or on the Sky Watch Icon below:

Watery Wednesday #43

2009-07-07T12:00:00.001-07:00

It's that time of the week. Time to get those eyes wet with water shots. If you haven't already done so, join in. Stick those feet in cyber waters from around the world.

I hope that I'm not the only one who likes this shot.

Click here or on the image/icon below to participate and visit other watery posts:

My World Tuesday - Sew what?

2009-07-06T10:03:00.001-07:00

I've been sewing since I was in elementary school. I remember sewing my 6th grade graduation dress. Sewing has been a major part of my world as is my love of fabrics. Put me in a fabric store and I lose my mind. LOL!

At one point I made and sold lingerie. I loved it but I have this problem with not wanting to sew the same thing over and over and the last house party I did wore me out. Long story but I took a break from it and never picked it back up. But I still have a lot of the different colored laces and elastics, satin straps, etc. that I used to use.

Now that I'm finally going back to work my wardrobe has been in dire need of updating but since my funds are really tight my only option has been to pull out the sewing machine again and work on all of the fabric I've been collecting (smile). I think I made ten tops last week.

The photo above is of some lace I added to a top I made and the one below is of my collection of buttons that are in this huge tackle box. This doesn't even show all of the buttons in the box. I miss a store I used to visit where they had buttons in this huge box for like a penny a piece. Everytime I went I would sit on the floor and go through buttons. I have a whole lot of patience when it's something I really want.

I've got bins of thread, lace, patterns, notions, needles, etc., etc. Below is just one of the purses I've made. Yeah, sewing is a big part of my world.

Take a cyber trip around the world by visiting the meme My World Tuesday.

Mellow Yellow Monday

2009-07-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday, the brightest meme on the internet, and brighten up your day.

Independence Day

2009-07-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

Today, July 4th, is Independence Day (or 4th of July), in the United States. It is a national holiday commemorating the Declaration of Independence adopted July 4, 1776 and our independence from England. We celebrate with family and friends with picnics, barbecues, fireworks, parades, etc. Happy 4th of July to all Americans and sending up a special prayer for our service men and women wherever they may be.

These are just a few of my fireworks shots from last year. I'll be at my brothers and probably won't get a chance to take any shots like this this year. Oh well.

Watery Wednesday #42

2009-07-01T10:06:00.001-07:00

I've been really busy trying to prep for my new job. I needed new clothes and couldn't buy them so I've been sewing my tushy off. I take little breaks and respond to comments as time permits. I hope everyone is enjoying their Watery Wednesday. If you don't know what I'm talking about I think you should click on the link at the bottom of this post and take a cyber dive in Watery Wednesday! You won't regret the cyber swim.

A few weeks ago my sister brought her grand children out and they spend the day with me on my birthday. We spend some time up and the lake by me and the kids, my great niece and nephew, had a wonderful time at the lake feeding the ducks and throwing rocks into the water. I tried to make sure they didn't do it in the water near where people were fishing and scaring the fish away.

At one point we saw a couple of men leisurely canoeing on the lake and I had to take a couple of shots when we notice they each had a dog with them (identical dogs), and the dogs seemed to be enjoying that leisure ride as much as they were.

We thought they were such beautiful dogs we talked to them later to ask what they were and found out they got them at puppies at the pound. They rescued these beautiful dogs and to me it made both them and the owners very special.

Click here or on the image/icon below to participate and visit other watery posts:

Monochrome Maniacs

2009-06-28T17:08:00.001-07:00

Click here if you'd like to see more Monochrome Maniacs monochrome shots from participants around the world.

Today's Flowers - Magnolias

2009-06-28T16:34:00.001-07:00

I've always loved magnolia blossoms, especially the white ones like the ones I've posted today. I'm fascinated by these big, beautiful blooms in the trees, some bigger than my face as I walk up to them (if I'm lucky enough to find them low on a tree).

I think they're beautiful even when they've begun to age and they become a brownish color.

If you like flowers, check out the link below for more photos from bloggers participating in Today's Flowers.

Camera Critters - Butterflies

2009-06-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

More photos from my last trip to the Butterfly Pavillion at the History Museum in Los Angeles. I'm not even going to pretend to know for sure what these are so please correct me if I'm wrong. You can click on any image for a larger view.

Julia (?) & White Peacock (?)

Julia & ?

Cabbage white:

Buckeye:

Painted Lady?

And this little Buckeye landed on my arm and stayed there while I walked around and took photos. Some of the kids there were jealous. Na Na-na-na Na! LOL!

If you like these little critters you should check out the Camera Critters meme for a wide variety of little cutie critters by clicking on the icon below:

Michael Jackson Dies

2009-06-25T16:28:00.000-07:00

Image from cnn.com

I'm sure by now everyone has heard of the fact that Michael Jackson died a short while ago of complete cardiac failure. Click Here for a CNN new brief. I'm sitting watching the news that has taken over every channel as they await a press briefing but they are waiting until the entire family arrives.

How sad. How very sad. He was truly an icon in music. There was no one like Michael Jackson. No matter what anyone says, or whether anyone liked him or not, I don't think anyone can deny that Michael Jackson was musical genius.

He had a rare quality that few entertainers had in that he continued to touch each new generation that game into the world. Both children and adults were touched my his music during his entire life.

I grew up listening to this man from the time he was a boy (he's just a year younger than me). I always thought he was genius and with genius sometimes comes the slightly "off" personality. I always pictured him as the man who simply wanted to live the childhood he felt denied of, in many ways a child himself.

Michael Jackson, may you rest in peace. You will be missed.

Watery Wednesday #41

2009-06-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

My World Tuesday - The Corpse Flower

2009-06-23T07:13:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Ebie over at The Main Ingredient I found out at the Huntingon Library Museum & Botanical Gardens had the Corpse Flower and that it was in bloom so I took the day went to see it. You can also see her blog about it if you Click here.

The Amorphorphallus Titanum (Corpse Flower) grows in the Conservatory at the Huntington Library (pictured above). I wasn't surprised by the number of people in attendance and that I had to wait in line.

It was like being in line for a ride at Disneyland as the line twisted and turned to accommodate the number of people and it moved VERY slowly. I was surprised at my patience.

I had to throw in the photo below because as you're standing in line mist is periodically released in the massive greenhouse and thought it's enough to make you worry about your hair-do it's still pretty cool.

And then finally I got to see the Corpse Flower standing there among the other lush greenery. It was probably about 5-1/2 feet tall and... I didn't smell a thing. I've got to say I was a little disappointed. I was all prepared to turn up my nose and just deal with the "aroma".

I think I was let down by it not having an aroma but I think the shots came out great and I left the conservatory and visited the rest of the botanical gardens, some of which I've already posted. My Waddle Waddle Quack Quack post is from the same day's photos.

You can Click Here to read more information about this flower at the Huntington Library's website.

Take a cyber trip around the world by visiting the meme My World Tuesday.

Mellow Yellow Monday

2009-06-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday, the brightest meme on the internet, and brighten up your day.

Monochrome Maniacs - The Painter

2009-06-21T07:52:00.001-07:00

I usually visit Descanso Gardens during the week. I've been able to do that since I haven't been working. But I went on the weekend and discovered that a lot of people go to sit in the Japanese Garden to paint. It made me wish I could paint. This is just one of the people I captured. They capture images with a brush. I capture them with my camera.

Click here if you'd like to see more Monochrome Maniacs monochrome shots from participants around the world.

Today's Flowers

2009-06-20T22:36:00.001-07:00

These were taken at my last trip to the Huntington Library Museum & Botanical Gardens near Pasadena, California. I went to see the Stinky Plant (not the real name but I'll post it later), and I saw these water lilies in the Chinese Garden.

The shot above is just one view from the Chinese Garden. This one shows where the lily pads were located.

These were so large that if you hold up your palms and hold your hands together the flower would fill your hands.

I don't remember ever seeing one with this center before. Reminds me of a wax candle. Don't you just want to reach out with a match and light it?

If you like flowers, check out the link below for more photos from bloggers participating in Today's Flowers.

Camera Critters - Collection

2009-06-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

I thought I would do a collection of the critters I capture but don't always post because they get pushed aside for something else I want to post. These are some of the little critters I photographed in my outings the past week or two.

Butterflies from the Butterfly Pavillion at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles.

A rabbit at Descanso Gardens in La Canada/Flintridge above. A bird outside the greenhouse at the Huntington Museum, Library & Botanical Gardens.

Birds at Descanso Gardens.

I can't remember where this interesting little lady bug was from.

And my most favorite capture of a critter this week goes to this poor little lost doggy that some poor kid left behind at the Huntington Museum & Botanical Gardens. He was just standing there on the post standing guard in the Japanese Garden.

If you're not tired of my critters you should see the cute little baby ducks in the post below this one. And if you're really not tired of critters,check out more Camera Critters by clicking on the icon below:

Waddle Waddle Quack Quack

2009-06-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

Again, I apologize for the number of photos in this post but I'm telling a photo story. When I went to The Huntington Museum & Botanical gardens I finally got to see some baby ducks. I was walking along the path in the Japanese garden in the first photo and there is a stream along the left hand side of the photo.

I was so intent on taking shots of the water when I looked up at the where the water dropped off into a little waterfall there was mama and her babies.

Babies were swimming around having a good time, coming to the edge of the fall where I thought they might fall over with the water but they never did.

Mama was watching me carefully, sizing me up to make sure I wasn't going to harm them or come any closer and then she did something that totally surprised me.

I guess she determined that I was no threat and she began to lead the babies out of the water...

And lead them right in front of me at my feet and down the little path I had just walked up.

They just waddled peacefully down the path. I had such a good time taking shots of them!

Sky Watch Friday

2009-06-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

As usual, I couldn't decide on which shot to post so there are more than one here. I haven't plastered this all over my blog but I've been unemployed since March of last year after getting laid off. It's been a struggle and I will testify that I give honor to God for keeping my head above water all of this time. Every bill was met and my refrigerator was always full.

Through this period it has been my photography that allowed me to get off the sofa, get away from the endless resume submissions and interviews that lead nowhere and escape "reality" and just enjoy God's green earth and all of the natural wonders in this world.

It was getting out taking pictures like this that gave me time to find inner peace, dwell on my knowledge of his love and give me some joy.

Standing on my faith was not always easy as the world around me was so negative. I had only my faith to stand on and though the wind of life blew and caused me to waiver, I never fell from the rock on which I stand. I got a call yesterday and heard the words I've been waiting to hear... "are you ready to come work for me?" My eyes still well with tears of joy, tears of knowing my God exists and that he is ALWAYS right on time.

How can anyone look at skies like this and not believe there is a God filled with love? To anyone facing any struggles, not sure what tomorrow will bring... God is there for you if you just reach out and believe. I'm off of my podium now but I just had to share this.

All of these shots were taken within minutes of each other and the rising moon stood over my shoulder as I took them. I took the shot of the moon as I stood ready to get back in my car to go home.

To participate in Sky Watch Friday and/or to see more great photos of the sky from all over the world Click here or on the Sky Watch Icon below:

Watery Wednesday #40

2009-06-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

My World Tuesday - Back At Bolsa Chica

2009-06-15T11:47:00.001-07:00

I apologize in advance for so many pictures but I taken so many it really is hard for me to narrow it down to just a couple.

It was my kind of day, overcast, cloudy and actually could have rained. It wasn't until I was deep inside the wetlands that I realized if it had rained there was no place to hide from it and it was no short trek back to the car. Gratefully, it didn't rain.

White Crowned Heron & Black Necked Stilt

I hope this fella doesn't mind that I took his photo and posted it.

Long Billed Curlew & Blue Heron

Funny, when I took these photos it was from such a distance I, as well as some other people on the path, thought we were looking at babies in the nest. It wasn't until I got home and uploaded that I realized there were actually three birds in the nest and from the other side what we though we saw moving were feathers, not little beaks.

Take a cyber trip around the world by visiting the meme My World Tuesday.

Anise Swallowtail & Old World Swallowtail

2009-06-13T04:39:00.000-07:00

More shots from my last trip to the Butterfly Pavilion. This is the Anise Swallowtail. What a pretty little thing this is. Since this exhibit is on display through August or September, I thought they must have new shipments brought in periodically to replace the butterflies.

They're so fragile and so short. I learned that they actually "grow" these butterflies in the museum and when they've emerged from their crysallis and have stretched their wings, they bring them down to the Pavillion. I would love to get a look inside of that room.

I thought this was an interesting tidbit of info. Like all swallowtail caterpillars, if disturbed, it will suddenly evert bright orange osmeteria (or "stinkhorns") from just behind its head, glandular structures which give off a foul odor. (Quoted from Wikipedia.)

Oops! Wait. Now that I'm looking at this, the body is a different color than the Anise. I don't think this last shot is the same butterfly. LOL! I have to go look this last one up. Okay. The one above is an Old World Swallowtail. That calls for one more photo.

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Sky Watch Friday

2009-06-11T20:47:00.000-07:00

More of my shots from the Motocross demonstration at the Temecula hot air balloon and wine festival this past weekend. As you can see, these guys were flying and I couldn't take my eyes off the sky.

He seemed to be sitting here at the top of the ramp thinking, "I'll be up there in just a minute."

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Poor Butterfly!

2009-06-10T19:49:00.001-07:00

I wanted to share this before I get back to trying to respond to the comments left from Watery Wednesday. I went back to the Butterfly Pavilion outside of the Natural History Museum in L.A. While walking around snapping pictures I saw this little guy on one of the leaves. In looking at the photo you'll probably think just what I did. What's wrong with its wings?

Almost immediately, I went and found one of the people that work there and asked the man if he could answer a question for me then led him to this butterfly. He gave a very thorough explanation and I only hope I can repeat it in a way that does his explanation justice. He explained that when the butterflies first emerge from the cocoon their wings are wet and folded up like this. It takes the new butterfly a while to realize they have these wings and to let them unfold. He further explained they need the sun and warm weather to help dry their wings.

Sometimes, they don't learn to stretch their wings out before they become hard and if they become hard before they have completely unfolded, this is what happens to them. This little guy will never fly. It will have a more difficult time finding food and because it can flutter its wings to attract a mate, chances are it will never mate. This little guy will never look like the one below.

Watery Wednesday #39

2009-06-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you haven't checked out Watery Wednesday, what are you waiting for? If you've never been cyber wet, here's your chance! Click here or on the icon at the end of the post to visit my Watery Wednesday meme and see the wonderful variety of watery shots form all over the world.

I wasn't sure what to post this week - flowers, leaves... I opted for both.

If you visited last week you might remember my story that as I was walking around Descanso Gardens the sprinklers came on and I had a field day taking shots of the flowers sprinkled with water. These are more of those shots.

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My World Tuesday - Those Flying Machines

2009-06-08T09:42:00.000-07:00

The annual hot air balloon and wine festival was held this weekend in Temecula, California. It was a 75 mile drive for me. I've always wanted to go and this was the first year that I actually found out about it in time. Still, I debated on going because the pocket strings ore really tight. I decided last minute to go. I was really hoping to catch the hot air balloons. I didn't really care about the wine.

Imagine my disappointment when I finally get there and there's not a hot air balloon in sight. I realize now that they were only there in the the morning for morning flights. It's possible they were there all day Saturday but either way, I missed them all together.

Since I went alone and was my own designated driver, no drinking wine for me. Besides, what I noted was $8.00 a glass. I think some booths were giving samples but you had to find a glass. LOL! I just wanted to take pictures but I met a few creative people and then guess what I found! They had a motor cross stunt show and let me tell you I had a ball. Apparently these are the best guys and I called them the men on those flying machines because let me tell you, they were flying!!

These guys were amazing! The tricks they did on these bikes were... well, let me say my heart caught in my throat several times and I was just on the ground watching.

I have so many shots I want to share but I'll limit it to these and trust me, this is a few compared to how many shots I actually took.

I've never had much interest in motor cross before but it was so much fun catching these guys in the air and I was so impressed with their skills I may actually have to start looking for some motor cross events to attend.

There were maybe 6 or 8 of these guys and I wish I knew their names because my hat is off to them for a great show and balls of steel. LOL! These men on those flying machines were awesome!

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Mellow Yellow Monday - Yellow Centers

2009-06-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

I thought my Mellow Yellow Monday shots would focus on some flowers with a sunburst of yellow as their centers.

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Today's Flowers - Wooly Blue Curls

2009-06-07T10:27:00.000-07:00

My photos for today's meme are called Trichostema Lanatum - Wooly Blue Curls. I wish I'd remember how to use the manual focus on my camera. Whenever I need it I can't remember how to get to it. I needed it for these because the lens kept wanting to focus on the background and not the flower. Urrrggghhh! LOL!

Anyway, I've always like the soft curl of the stamen and the lovely colors. Oh! And can you see the hummingbird in the first photo? :-)

If you like flowers, check out the link below for more photos from bloggers participating in Today's Flowers.

Monochrome Maniacs

2009-06-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

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Camera Critters - Turtles

2009-06-06T07:09:00.000-07:00

These are the turtles of U.C. Riverside's Botanical Gardens. There's a small pond towards the back below the higher level where the rose garden is. There were a lot of turtles lined up on the log and then several climbing the side of the hill. They made a terrific sounding plop in the water as I walked up, scared them and then dove in the water.

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Sky Watch Friday - Rancho Santa Ana B.G.

2009-06-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Sky Watch Friday to everyone! These are a couple of shots of the sky over Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden in Southern California. Look there are clouds!! I say this because more often then not the sky is just blue without a cloud in sight. Kind of makes for a boring sky watch.

Currently we're cloudy with thunderstorms but I'm too chicken to go out to my favorite spots since there are so many trees and a woman was killed yesterday when lightening struck a tree she was walking under in a neighborhood. I'm staying home.

If you'd like to see more photos from Rancho Santa Ana B.G. there are some in the post below this one.

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A Day At Rancho Santa Ana

2009-06-04T10:52:00.001-07:00

Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens is one of the places I visit but I don't mention it often because I don't go often even though it is the closest botanical garden to me. It's not as "pretty" as some of the other botanical gardens but it is definitely rich with nature.

It's one of those places that have previously worked on donations but they've just recently changed that and are now charging admission. See, if people just made donations it would have been cheaper. Now you've got to pay. I watched many people just walk by that little donation box like they didn't see it.

You can click on any of these photos for a larger view. I would suggest clicking on the bird below or you'll miss the beak full of worms! I didn't realize I captured that until I edited the photo.

It's not that I don't like Rancho Santa Ana, I do. It's just that when I go I'm never sure what kind of photos I'm going to come out with - no guaranteed flowers, no guaranteed birds, not much water. I've never come out empty and it's always a very good walk.

If you like nature, take a cyber click over to the Nature Notes meme and get a visual taste of nature from all over the world.

Watery Wednesday #38 - Jewel Drops

2009-06-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you haven't participated in or checked out Watery Wednesday, what are you waiting for! Get on over there and see what it's like to get cyber wet! CLICK HERE or on the icons at the bottom of this post and don't forget your cyber goggles.

The other day I mentioned that I went to Descanso Gardens and while I was walking around the water sprinklers came on and I had a wonderful time taking photos of the drops of water it left on the flowers. These are a couple of my favorite shots from that day. I was saving them just for Watery Wednesday.

This little flower was no bigger than my thumbnail and I just love the way the drops look like jewels.

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Monochrome Maniacs

2009-05-31T15:14:00.001-07:00

I'm cheating just a little. I'm not actually sure if this is black and white or color. I took some shots in both but some of them looked the same like this one. I thought this was really cool. It was a bug on the water of a little creek that runs through Descanso Gardens. I'm not sure what kind of but it is but I liked the depressions made in the smooth surface of the water where its feet touched the water and the the reflections of the trees in those depressions.

Not sure what kind of bug it is. I thought they were mosquitoes but they're awfully big for mosquitoes. There were quite a few of them literally bouncing around on the water.

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Today's Flowers & Mellow Yellow Monday

2009-05-31T11:54:00.000-07:00

I was walking around Descanso Gardens yesterday when they sprinklers went off. I went a little crazy taking shots of the drops of water on a lot of the flowers. I had such a good time and I think they came out so well. Here are just a few of them.

If you like flowers, check out the link below for more photos from bloggers participating in Today's Flowers. Or visit Mellow Yellow Monday to visit the brightest meme on the internet and brighten up your day.

Did You Know!?

2009-05-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

Until I started visiting the aquarium again it never occurred to me that a starfish was an animal, a living creature that eats. Heck, it didn't even occur to me that they moved. And yep, I did say they eat. If you look at the picture below you can see the shell the starfish is absorbing.

The ones below show it eating seaweed. They have two stomachs - one for digesting and the other can be used to reach out and grab and then digest it's food. I read with some star fish, they use their vascular system to open the shell of something like a clam and then inject their stomach into the shell to eat it.

Sky Watch Friday

2009-05-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

I don't think I've posted these before. I thought I'd share a couple of views that were interesting from down around my way. I can't remember exactly where the first shot was taken but I do know it was somewhere up in the San Bernardino mountains looking down over what I believe is the Inland Empire which is about, oh, 40 miles east of Los Angeles. That's not haze of fog you're looking at in the photo, it's smog. It's only when you get up this high that you really see the smog we deal with in Southern California, particularly the L.A. Basin, called that because we're surrounded by mountains.

The shot below was taken from a location up overlooking Bonelli Park and Puddingstone Reservoir that is just up the street from me, the one I visit a lot. This is looking west toward Los Angeles. Those buildings are downtown Los Angeles, about 30 miles away. You can see this was a very clear day. I don't think this was a day last year when we had a lot of fires but it might have been which would explain the color. It didn't alter the photo other than to crop it.

I'll note that a lot of times you can't see those buildings. This was a very clear day (evening). When I'm able to see downtown L.A. like this it always reminds me of the Emerald City from the Wizard of Oz.

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Red Breasted and Coopers Hawks

2009-05-26T22:21:00.000-07:00

My Watery Wednesday post is right below this one. Sorry. I wasn't going to post anything else until late tomorrow but I got these today and was a little excited about it and wanted to share.

I went to Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens not far from me. I was a little disappointed because the flowers that were in bloom on my last visit were gone so I concentrated on trying to find some birds. No luck there either. I could hear them but not see them and when I did find a couple before I could focus they were gone. But before I left, as I walked down the ramp to the lower level I could hear this strange bird call and these big birds were flying back and forth between the leaves and branches that I was eye level with.

One finally landed where I could actually see it so there I was peering through the leaves and branches and was able to zoom in, max zoom, and these came out okay. The quality isn't the best because I was zoomed out but still, not bad for photos this size.

Then it took of. They flew around some more and I waited patiently hoping one would land closer. It did! I took several photos but since they all pretty much look like this one I only posted the one. I think the first one is a Red Shouldered Hawk and I think the other is a Cooper's Hawk, shown in that order.

Oh! And did I mention that they had two hawks' nests there. This is one shot. It was so high up that again, my zoom was maxed out but you can at least see the top of the hawk's head in this one. The the other nest shot didn't come out. I couldn't get a clear shot through the branches.

Watery Wednesday #37

2009-05-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it's time for Watery Wednesday? If you haven't visited my meme before; if you don't know what it's like to get cyber wet, Click Here or on the icon at the end of this post and check it out!

I went to Bolsa Chica Wetlands yesterday. I've got to say, when I took the shot on the meme's main page, I was standing beside photographers with their tripods and massive lenses. I think they were all waiting to capture the heron as it caught a fish. I felt like such a novice standing there with my little camera and built in zoom. I felt like they were shooting their cannons (Boom!), and I came in with a little six-shooter going pop, pop! I wonder if they laughed and called me a rookie after I'd taken my shots and walked off. LOL!

The birds below were really putting on a show. At various parts of the preserve, there would be about 10-15 birds flying above the water, scouting it for fish and then they would dive bomb into the water. All you could hear was them squawking and the sound of them plummeting into the water. Click on any to enlarge or you'll miss some of the water coming off the birds as they took off.

I think I spent most of my time photographing these birds. They were so fast I would never get them going into the water but I could get them coming out. Because of the delayed snap of the digital camera it took me a while before I figured out the timing and then it was on! The minute they splashed I had to snap the camera as I aimed at the splash of water. By the time it clicked, the bird was coming up out of the water. I was like a big kid. LOL! I actually got more good shots then I thought I did. I'd probably still be standing there if my batteries didn't fizzle out on me.

And you can see in the one below on the left that I actually got one coming up with a fish in it's mouth!

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My World Tuesday - The Little Bird Feeder

2009-05-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

I couldn't figure out what to post for this meme this week so.... I thought I'd post some pics of my little bird feeder that I have hanging from my baby tree.

Monochrome Maniacs - Foggy Morning

2009-05-25T06:37:00.001-07:00

Today is Memorial Day when our country remembers and pay tribute to those in the military service who died while in the military service. Just wanted to take a moment to mention that. My hat is off to our fallen heroes and the families who beared their loss.

This was taken at Bonelli Park several months ago. I love the effect that fog has in that the photo must focus on what is in the foreground. Nothing in the distance to distract or add to the photo.

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Mellow Yellow Monday

2009-05-24T17:20:00.001-07:00

Have a wonderful Mellow Yellow Monday!! May your week be filled with warmth and sunshine.

Click on the icon below to participate or visit the brightest meme on the internet and brighten up your day!

Today's Flowers

2009-05-24T11:00:00.001-07:00

It's gotten a little easier to find something to post for the memes I participate in now that all of my photos are a little more organized. I really liked these and hope you do too.

A White Rose
By John Boyle O'Reilly (1844-1890)

THE red rose whispers of passion,
And the white rose breathes of love;
O the red rose is a falcon,
And the white rose is a dove.

But I send you a cream-white rosebud
With a flush on its petal tips;
For the love that is purest and sweetest
Has a kiss of desire on the lips.

If you like flowers, check out the link below for more photos from bloggers participating in Today's Flowers.

Camera Critters - The Big Cat

2009-05-23T14:16:00.000-07:00

I posted these so long ago I'm sure no one has seen them. It was back when if I got one comment it was a good day. :-) These were taken at the Los Angeles Zoo. It was a good day because normally they're laying around sleeping with their backs to the camera. They're my favorite tiger shots. To me the tiger is the most beautiful of the big cats.

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Scenic Sunday - Santa Monica Beach

2009-05-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

I thought these would be a great entry for Scenic Sunday. I took these last summer at the Santa Monica Pier here in Southern California. To me there is nothing more peaceful that standing on the beach listening to the waves and feeling the sea breeze in your face. I couldn't post just one photo. Thought I'd give you different scenic views from the pier.

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Brown Pelican

2009-05-22T21:41:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last few days cleaning out my hard drive that has all of my photos on it. 120 gigs and I only had 4 left. I've now got 43 gigs left and most my photos are a little more organized. I'm still working on transfering more to DVD's. It's been tiresome on the one hand but fun finding photos I'd forgotten I'd taken and never shared. I thought I'd post these of the brown pelican.

I love taking shots of the pelican and I've got enough photos to prove it. I think it has such an interesting face and it's one of the few birds I've managed to easily catch in flight. These were taken at Cabrillo Beach.

Skywatch Friday

2009-05-22T09:17:00.001-07:00

I think it's interesting and great how the colors in the sky can change almost dramatically in just a matter of minutes as evidenced in the shots below.

And when I see the mountains like in the photo below I always think of the part in our national anthem "for purple mountains majesty, above the fruited plains....". The mountains really do look purple.

To participate in Sky Watch Friday and/or to see more great photos of the sky from all over the world Click here or on the Sky Watch Icon below:

Black Crowned Night Heron

2009-05-20T23:28:00.000-07:00

I went up to the lake the other day and just after I got out of the car, I walked under a tree and a bird moved loudly in the tree above me. It was no small bird. It took me a moment to find it but I did. I was surprised it was a Black Crowned Heron.

It was well hidden among the branches but I did manage to find a clearing through the branches to get a shot. I know they fly but I didn't know they did the tree thing.

I was surprised and treated by how many of them there were flying around and walking around the edge of the lake. Of course, they didn't let me get too close before they took off.

Watery Wednesday #36

2009-05-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

When's the last time you got cyber wet? If you haven't checked out or participated in Watery Wednesday what are you waiting for? See what it's like to have your eyes drenched in cool water from all over the world. Here's my entry for the week.

These were taken at Santa Fe Reservoir yesterday. The Santa Fe Dam and Bonelli Park are county owned and it's that time of the year where they start charging so my visit will be limited. I refuse to pay $8 just to go take some photos of the lake and a duck or too. It's either that or wait until 7:00 when they stop charging and then I'm limited to early evening/sunset shots.

I noticed this duck had something hanging from its mouth. At first I thought it got tangled in some fishing line. I don't think that's what it is but it could be fishing line covered with moss. People are so careless with their fishing lines. Whatever it is, I felt sorry for the duck but they don't exactly let you get close enough to help.

I wasn't there long before the sun began to set. It's not a huge lake but the view of the San Bernardino mountains is a spectacular background for photos of the lake and today we actually had a spattering of clouds that always enchance a sunset shot.

Sometimes not knowing how to work a camera and the lighting works out in my favor. What a fitting last shot of this duck swimming off into the sunset with its light casting wonderful golden flecks on shimmering light in the water.

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My World Tuesday - Graffiti Beach

2009-05-18T11:19:00.000-07:00

Actually, this is Venice Beach, a really popular place to visit in L.A. County because you can see a little bit of everything - shop, eat, people watch, get a henna tat or chill on the actual beach and enjoy the ocean view. I just called it Graffiti Beach for this post and this section of Venice Beach that is alive with graffiti.

If you click on the photo below you can see that nothing in this area escaped the graffiti. Check out the tree trunks and the trash cans.

Sometimes I think that only in L.A. can a old boat wash ashore, someone paint it with graffiti and it become a work of art left as a part of the surroundings.

Even some of the rocks couldn't escape the artist's work.

Monochrome Maniacs - Drill Baby!

2009-05-18T00:20:00.001-07:00

I wasn't sure what to post this week so I thought this was at least... interesting.

And this is my nephew fixing my sister's gate. Hope he doesn't mind me posting his photo. Those were the screws in his tool box.

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Today's Flower - Matilija Poppy

2009-05-17T11:18:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd post the flower that's in my header. It's called a Matilija Poppy, is native to Northwestern America,and grows up to about 8 feet tall. The bush in my first photo was just slight taller than I am and I'm 5'4". It blooms between May and July.

If you like flowers, check out the link below for more photos from bloggers participating in Today's Flowers.

The Spider Cave

2009-05-16T11:38:00.001-07:00

Though this isn't as focused inside "the cave" as I would have liked, I still thought this was a pretty cool shot and wanted to share it. Can you see the hint of the spider in the cave?

My Photo Surprise

2009-05-15T23:41:00.000-07:00

While out taking photos the other day I saw this trickle of water coming from a pipe and thought it would make for an interesting photo. It wasn't until I got home to work on the photo that I saw there was something in the photo that I didn't see while taking the shots.

I guess I was so busy trying to get the lighting right all I was looking at was the pipe and the water. I never saw the little frog hiding under the pipe probably trying to figure out what the heck I was doing.

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Sky Watch Friday - Flight at Dusk

2009-05-14T14:49:00.001-07:00

I hope I haven't posted this one before....

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Play Time

2009-05-13T17:40:00.001-07:00

How about a game of hide and seek? Okay, you count to 20 and no peeking!

Hey gurlfriend! I thought I said no peeking. Well, you're so little I guess this is as close to no peeking as you're going to get. As a matter of fact, you can't even count past 10 yet, that was interesting - 8, 9, 10, 15, 12, 7, 20.... LOL!

Caught you!! Wish I was small enough to hide under the steering wheel. Next time mom can't help you hide!

Ha, ha! Caught you. Is that you hiding behind those big leaves? He said, "No...". LOL!

I'm quietly sneaking up on you and .... Boo!

Let's go riding....

These are my great niece and nephew, and I took these on Mother's Day when I visited my sister.

Watery Wednesday #35

2009-05-12T15:47:00.001-07:00

Do you know what it's like to get cyber wet? Check out Watery Wednesday and let you eyes dive into the water shots from all over the world.

I've always wanted to see a waterfall in person. This is the closest I've come so far, the waterfall at the Los Angeles zoo. If you look closely, can see the rail behind the waterfall?

This second shot was taken from standing at the rail behind the waterfall where there are dark caverns to wander through. I captured the drops of water falling from the top of the opening.

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Mellow Yellow Monday

2009-05-11T01:25:00.000-07:00

I thought this was perfect for Mellow Yellow Monday. How much more mellow can you get this to sit under this tree with it's cheerful, yellow blossoms?

Click on the icon below to participate or visit the brightest meme on the internet and brighten up your day!

Monochrome Maniacs

2009-05-11T00:43:00.001-07:00

If you'd like to see more Monochrome Maniacs monochrome shots from participants around the world, just click on the link or the icon below.

He Love Me, He Loves Me Not - Today's Flowers

2009-05-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

Did you ever like someone and take a flower and pull it's petals off saying "He Loves Me... He Loves Me Not", alternating with each petal you pulled? That's what these photos reminded me of today.

And then I thought of God and how He loves me... and how He loves you. And I don't care how many times a little doubt may creep into your head, it's a guarantee that no matter how many times you might try this, the last petal will alway be "He Loves Me." HE LOVES ME!

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us. and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins... We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him... We love him, because he first loved us.
--1 John 4:10, 16, 19

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Glossy Sterling

2009-05-08T11:43:00.000-07:00

Ever since I started going into the Aviary at the Los Angeles Zoo, I've been trying to get a good picture of this bird. The sheen of this bird's feather combined with the almost irradescent coloring is beautiful... but not easily captured with my camera under the shade of the thick trees in the aviary. But two things worked in my favor on this trip: one) they thinned out some of the trees so it was a little lighter, and 2) the birds were in rare form landing so close to me that it wasn't a struggle to take the shots or worry about my zoom being over extended.

Ain't it purty?

Descanso Gardens - The Nature Of It All

2009-05-06T22:35:00.000-07:00

I mention Descanso Gardens a lot but I haven't really shared the nature part of it all, the trees, the paths, etc. I thought I'd share my view of more than just the flowers and water features.

While walking through one area this butterfly (pictured below), flittered around and landed letting me take a few photos. I got a little closer and it flittered off but flew around me in circles. It looked like it wanted to land on me so I stuck out my hand and after a moment it landed on the back of my hand. Of course, when I raised my camera to take a photo. Still, that was so cool!

Click on the image below to visit the Nature Notes meme created by Ramblingwoods. Get a little visually closer to nature today.

Watery Wednesday #34

2009-05-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already done so, get on over to Watery Wednesday and see how it feels to get cyber wet. Maybe you'd like to pull out a water shot and dive in too.

This was another one of my shots that look a little abstract. It'a actually a large, dead branch in the water but I absolutely love the brushed steel look of the water and the way the water seems to fold around the part that is above water.

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Mindblowing - My World Tuesday

2009-05-05T09:07:00.001-07:00

I've been waiting for the roses are Descanso Gardens to bloom. They are in full bloom now and it's absolutely mind-blowing. I don't think these photos do justice to what it looks or feels like to stand in the midst of this explosion of roses. Still, I wanted to share a little of what my world is like in the rose garden at Descanso Gardens right now.

Monochrome Maniacs

2009-05-03T10:54:00.000-07:00

I took these at the Los Angeles Arboretum. It was a little overcast so my lighting is a little off. I'm still trying to figure out how to work my light. I didn't even notice the baby turtle until I edited down the size of the photo.

I feel I have to explain this because even though this is abstract, it's actually a large palm leave that had fallen in the water and was partially submerged. If you look closely you can even see part of the leaves under the water. I thought it made for a great black and white and I really like it but realize it's totally a matter of taste.

If you'd like to see more Monochrome Maniacs shots from participants around the world, just click on the link or the icon below.

Buzzy- Buzz- Buzz

2009-05-03T10:40:00.001-07:00

I'm combining two memes today - Mellow Yellow Monday & Today's Flowers. My photos easily cover both, so why not?

Please check out both memes by clicking the icons below. Go ahead, see flowers from all over the world and bright up you Monday my some yellow.

A Few Water Fowl

2009-05-02T04:37:00.000-07:00

I took these at the Los Angeles Arboretum. This is the first time I've seen a Mandarin Duck. It was so pretty. Both it and the Wood Duck just waddled over in front of my path and let me take as many photos as I wanted. Wish I could share all of those shots.

WOOD DUCK

MANDARIN DUCK

I've only ever seen a Black Crowned Night Heron once before, at it was also here at the Los Angeles Arboretum near the small lake. I saw the first one on the bent trunk of a tree and was able to get close enough for my zoom to take good shots. Then less than as I left that one, about 20 yards away there was another. I didn't post any of those shots.

BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON

I've only ever seen the black or dark grey cormorans. This is the first time I've seen these light gray ones.

PIED CORMORANT

Butterflies Galore

2009-04-30T00:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, as promised, here are the shots of the butterflies that I photographed at the Butterfly Pavillion at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. I know it's a lot of photos but I really did just post one shot of each butterfly....I think. I identified some of them but not all. Feel free to let me know the names of any I couldn't identify. You can click on any of these for a larger image.

There were kids all over the place. I spent half my time trying not to step on any butterflies and the kids. The man at the door very gently explained to the kids how delicate the butterfly wings were and this was why they could not and should not touch them. So why are there always the kids who just have to try to touch them anyway?

Still, the kids were cute and so excited. I was a little excited myself. I'd never seen so many butterflies, most of them sitting there letting me take as many close-ups as I wanted. I was a big kid with a camera.

JULIA & PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL

If you have a butterfly garden near you or ever have the opportunity to visit something like this I highly recommend going.

GREAT SOUTHERN WHITE

MONARCH

WHITE PEACOCK & ?

BUCKEYE

CABBAGE WHITE - JULIA?

ZEBRA LONGWING

I'll definitely go back before the exhibit is gone (September). Just what I need... 200-300 more butterfly shots. LOL!