Monet in the Mustards

Up at dawn this Friday morning, headed to Sonoma County for another try to capture the feeling of getting lost in the color and textures of the bloom that I get from the acres and acres of mustards which are in their full glory this year. I drove back to Highway 12 in the fog and waited for a bit of sun to break through. I squeezed off lots of shots, but still not satisfied, I decided to take Stoney Point Road heading back to the 101. Eureka! I found this bit of fence and old irrigation wheel and discovered that using the guassian blur filter in Photoshop gave me just the dreamy effect I wanted. This image captures my feelings perfectly. A moment with Monet on the eve of the first day of spring.



See it bigger and on black here http://barblee.zenfolio.com/p636431592/hebd2f96#hebd2f96

Northern California Almond Bloom

On March 8, I took a Sunday drive north on the 550 to Esparto on Highway 16. Intending to head into Guinda to see the blooming almond orchards, I got distracted by a wonderful old abandoned building at the intersection and took a wrong turn. I spent a lazy 3 hours alone driving these back roads, savoring the blossoms, the birds and the bees. Just me and the sun and all of these glorious harbingers of spring.

Spring Mustards Along the Russian River

The mustard is in full bloom again along the Russian River. On Sunday, March 15, we spent the day visiting several wineries as part of the annual Russian River Barrel Tasting event. Tracy and our friends gave me some space to stop and take photos...I will head back there later this week for much more. Our weeks of late winter rain have made this a particularly lush season for the mustards. It was a gray overcast day, which helped to get these lovely saturated colors.

This old barn is on Westside Road near the Hop Kiln Winery. I lightened the barn in Photoshop to give it better contrast with the gray skies.

A Showing of Photos from Greece

I am just back from a wonderful 2 1/2 weeks in Patagonia, will be blogging about that trip soon. My recent focus has been to get 20 of my photos from Greece, taken in October, 2007, printed, framed, and up on display for a December show at Nelly's Java, a coffeehouse near my home in Montclair. It has been a project several months in the making. I printed each photograph on an Epson 7800 ink jet printer that I have been able to use at the Berkeley City College print room. I am taking Photoshop courses there, which give me access to these amazing printers. They are printed on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag paper. I taught myself to cut mats, and have set up a little workshop in the garage. I like using my hands and appreciating this "crafty" part of being a photographer.

We are having an artist's reception on Saturday, December 6, from 1:00 - 3:00; you are welcome to drop by! The photos will be on display all of December, and of course, are for sale. I am showing photos from Athens, Santorini, and Rhodes. Shown here are Dawn Cafe, taken on the Plaka in Athens, Old Windmill from Santorini, and Harbor Boats from Rhodes.

Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii

Tracy and I are just back from a wonderful week on the Big Island. We celebrated our niece Crystal's beautiful wedding on the grounds of the Sheraton at the end of a week of fun family gatherings. We got there a bit early, so were able to have some adventures on our own, including a day trip to the top of Mauna Kea in a rented four wheel drive. The road to the top of this 13,700 foot peak is dangerous and steep. I was glad that the gravel portion was shrouded in thick fog; I did not have to look down the drop off! We emerged from the clouds at the end of the gravel road to see the last 2 1/2 mile paved 12% grade road winding to the top. Even though we had stopped at the 10,000 foot visitor center to acclimate, we both felt the effects of the altitude. Tracy stayed in the truck while I wobbled around outside getting photos.







We headed down just as the sun set beneath the cloud cover. It was glorious! At the visitor center, I had been able to visit the exclosure they have set up to protect the endangered Silversword plant from hoofed animals, and am pretty happy with the photographs I came back with. We're now ready to venture to the top of Haleakala on Maui to see the Silversword and cinder cones there.

Sea Lions in Residence at Pier 39

It has been awhile since I blogged here. Intentions to do this every week have given way to the mundane of everyday life. I have found that I do my best photography when I am out on a trip. But I remain determined to change this; to set aside one or two days a week to get out into this wonderful Bay Area and capture images of nature that is right here in my backyard.

Two weeks ago, Tracy and I took the ferry to Sausalito to attend the art festival. An early morning stop at Pier 39 yielded this shot. I hoped to capture the texture and geometry of the sea lions huddled in their slumber on the docks and was pleased to find this pup; seemingly being gently embraced by an older member of the "tribe". I like the contrast between the pale fur and the darker fur of the older ones. I went back on the way home, in late afternoon, and the light was harst and contrasty. This shot, which was taken in an overcast, gray light, shows just how nicely that kind of atmospheric can show off detail and color.

We leave for the Big Island of Hawaii tomorrow afternoon. My niece Crystal is getting married and we will stay for a week. We plan a drive to Mauna Kea on Monday. With luck, I will find the Silversword plant, which only grows there and on Maui. Stay tuned!

Eastern Sierras

I am just back from a 4 day adventure in the Eastern Sierras. Tracy and I drove over the Tioga Pass, through Yosemite, for a retreat at the Silver Lake Resort, near June Lake on Highway 395. Silver Lake is one of 4 small lakes on the June Lake Loop, about 15 minutes south of Lee Vining. I had taken my two nephews, Pablo and Willy, there for a fishing trip 21 years ago. Today, it is just as homey and comfy as I remembered it. Tracy and I combined some kayaking and hiking with a day trip to the ghost town of Bodie, about 45 minutes to the north.

The highlight of this trip was getting up to greet the dawn at Mono Lake three mornings running. I dressed at 4:45 each morning and drove the 15 minutes to the south shore, where the most interesting tufa formations line the shore. While the light was not the most spectacular - there were no clouds - it was still wonderful. I find it so amazingly energizing to be outside at dawn, watch the light change, trying to set up the perfect shots. It is all over so fast! Within 10 minutes of sunrise, you lose your chance to get the light just right. It was fun to watch some other photographers pull into the parking lot, shoulder their tripods, and take off at a dead run to the shore. The light waits for no one! Here are two photos that I especially like.





I was also fascinated by the light on the shoreline plants. After getting a few shots of the lake and the tufas, I turned my attention to the plant community. Each day, I lost myself for an hour or so just wandering around, looking at the back and side light playing on the weeds and wildflowers. What an amazing time of life this is...having the chance to totally lose myself in the natural world that we live in. I have never felt more alive than I do when I am outside with my camera at the quiet times of day.