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December 23, 2012

Mojave Christmas!



Wherever this Holiday Season finds you, I hope your days are filled with Peace, Warmth, Joy and Love.



November 21, 2012

With Gratitude



The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious,
awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.
~ Henry Miller




Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy,
and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.
~ William Arthur Ward




In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, I'd like to express my gratitude for all that you share on your blogs and
thank you for your visits, comments and emails throughout this year. Some days, it makes all the difference . . .


November 8, 2012

Autumn on the Chaparral








In the mountains of San Gabriel, overlooking the lowland vines and fruit groves, Mother Nature is most ruggedly, thornily savage. Not even in the Sierra have I ever made the acquaintance of mountains more rigidly inaccessible. The slopes are exceptionally steep and insecure to the foot of the explorer, however great his strength or skill may be, but thorny chaparral constitutes their chief defense. With the exception of little park and garden spots not visible in comprehensive views, the entire surface is covered with it, from the highest peaks to the plain. It swoops into every hollow and swells over every ridge, gracefully complying with the varied topography, in shaggy, ungovernable exuberance, fairly dwarfing the utmost efforts of human culture out of sight and mind.

~ From Steep Trails by John Muir. Chapter 11, The San Gabriel Mountains.

October 5, 2012

Trajectory of a Sunset














SPLENDOR of ended day, floating and filling me!
Hour prophetic—hour resuming the past!
Inflating my throat—you, divine average!
You, Earth and Life, till the last ray gleams, I sing.

Open mouth of my Soul, uttering gladness,
Eyes of my Soul, seeing perfection,
Natural life of me, faithfully praising things;
Corroborating forever the triumph of things.

~ From Song at Sunset by Walt Whitman


Check out reflections by other bloggers at Weekend Reflections hosted by James.

September 25, 2012

This Fleeting Nature






We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.

~ From Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot

September 12, 2012

The Great Escape









I camped here last week after the holiday crowds left — right on the beach. Falling asleep under a blanket of stars, soothed by songs of surf, seagulls, and even a gentle rain plop plopping on the tent one night; following the graceful movements of pelicans and seals, reclining in the shade of a cave carved by the elements into the cliffs, sunning and swimming. I hope you all are enjoying these last days of summer.



August 28, 2012

The Polaroid Effect

It's hot — too hot to be outside anywhere other than the beach. So, I've had to come up with some fun indoor projects. For instance, I really like Polaroids and have been working on simulating that iconic look. I'm not quite there, but I'm getting close . . .











Images not intended for commercial purposes or use.

August 13, 2012

A Cool Buzz

Not for sale. For display purposes only.


Not for sale. For display purposes only.


Not for sale. For display purposes only.



July 9, 2012

Dog Days









I’ve been working with my local Animal Services and Adoption Center, taking photos of the animals for their website and other publicity, in the hopes that better photography will help increase their chances for adoption. It’s hard though — you want to take them all home, they are all so cute, enthusiastic, and lovable. Give a furry, feathered, or scaly friend-in-need some lovin’ when you get a chance.



June 26, 2012

A Song of the Rolling Earth








I swear there is no greatness or power that does not emulate those of the earth,
There can be no theory of any account unless it corroborate the theory of the earth,
No politics, song, religion, behavior, or what not, is of account,
unless it compare with the amplitude of the earth,
Unless it face the exactness, vitality, impartiality, rectitude of the earth. 

 ~ From A Song of the Rolling Earth by Walt Whitman



June 12, 2012

Splash








When you hear the splash
Of the water drops that fall
Into the stone bowl,
You will feel that all the dust
Of your mind is washed away.

 ~ Zen Tea Master, Sen-No-Rikyu


May 15, 2012

Sandstorm in Death Valley













When I wandered far out into the sand dunes at Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley, it was overcast but calm. However, I eventually got caught out there in some really heavy winds, but couldn't resist snapping off a few during the frantic dash back to the car. Luckily, my camera seems to have sustained no damage and is now sixty miles away at the Canon factory in Irvine, California getting cleaned. I am anxiously awaiting its return . . .


April 30, 2012

Rainstorm in Death Valley



















I didn't plan on being away from blogging for a whole month, time just got away from me. I did finally make it out to Death Valley, just in time for the rare phenomenon of a pretty big storm sweeping through the desert.


April 2, 2012

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish












Oh me! Oh my! Oh me! oh my!
What a lot of funny things go by.

~ from Dr. Seuss