Posted on by Anne Sandler · 8 Comments

Now a yearly trek: Lotus blossoms

They are so beautiful, but only bloom once a year. But, that’s also what makes the Lotus flowers so special. The flowers in this post are from the Vedanta Society of Sacramento in Fair Oaks (Where last year’s images were shot.) and my chiropractor’s farm in Auburn. Who would have thought that a small Lotus pond would be on a farm!

At the Vedanta Society, the mature Lotus were more inside the pond and the buds surrounded them on the outside. That made shooting them a little tricky, but with the lens extended all the way out to 140 mm and creative cropping, I managed.

At the farm, it was just the opposite.  The featured image is a black and white from the farm. No matter, they are beautiful no matter where they are. And, pictures are a way of enjoying them all year round.

Except for the last two, these were taken at the Vedanta Society.
Not a Lotus.
Pretty rose.
This Magnolia blossom ends the images taken at the Vedanta Society
Two from Dr. Heather Rosenberg’s farm.
This is the same as the featured black and white.
Posted on by Anne Sandler · 10 Comments

Brightening up the valley: Barn Quilts, Rio Linda, California

What’s a barn quilt? A quilt sewn to hang in a barn? No. They are boards painted to look like quilts and hung outside of barns and houses. When I heard about this from a fellow Camera Totin’ Tuesday member, I was curious. I found that the practice is done across the U.S., and our local quilters have established the Rio Linda, Elverta Quilt Trail Project.

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The women gather every Tuesday afternoon in a member’s garage and paint. They paint on special wood boards and paints meant to handle whatever mother nature throws at the quilts, especially rain and wind. The women work from a thick pattern book. And, when there’s a special request, they do their best to work the theme into a pattern. Here’s where they work.

The only charge for a barn quilt is the cost of the materials, the labor of design and painting is free. Our hostess told us about a quilt they painted for a church, and when the pastor retired, they stitched him an actual quilt of the same design.

Their quilts can be found on barns, homes and businesses.

Two quilts are on a home.
This was on the Rio Pub.
This was on the library lawn.
This was sitting on a farm. The first picture in this blog was hung on the barn.

And, of course, we found other things to photograph. Also the featured image in this post, features one of our CTT members!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 7 Comments

Camera settings, check or not! Green Acres Nursery, Folsom

There are those days when…… You fill in the blank. It’s usually something you’ve forgotten to do like not buy everything you needed at the grocery, missed an appointment or forgot to change the ISO on your camera that was set for a prior outing. I did the last. Worse, I didn’t notice it until the shoot was just about over.

Fortunately it was at a nursery, flowers are forgiving and Lightroom helps to take out noise. But, I don’t think I’ll do that again. I’ll make other mistakes, but not that one!

We went to Green Acres Nursery in Folsom to practice macro work. You know you’ll find flowers and plants at a nursery. The plus was that we also found an abundance of water drops. They must have watered before we got there. I enjoyed the outing. Take a look, and let me know how I did during post processing. Was it really one of those days?

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 4 Comments

What, still no pizza! Downieville, California

I was looking forward to going back to Downieville and having the pizza that my dear departed photo buddy Greg Morris promised Marlene and I a few years ago. Located at the North Fork of the Yuba River, Downieville is a small town with a population of about 300.

When we were there last, no restaurant was open, especially the pizza place Greg bragged about on our way up. Fortunately, the grocery store was open and we were able to buy our usual lunch there. Well, the term lunch is being generous. I had a cup of noodles, Greg had beef jerky and chips and Marlene ate her emergency peanut butter sandwich.

So, I was not altogether surprised that there was only one sandwich shop, Jadaa’s Kitchen, open in town the day we were there, but I was disappointed. Even though it was almost tourist season, the stores were open only on the weekends. I guess we’d have to go during the summer to see if Greg was right about the pizza.

This time our visit to the small town was cut short due to a thunder storm. We stayed as long as we could, shooting as much as we could. Will I ever taste that pizza?

The visitor’s center!
The local Inn.
The bridge that takes you over the Yuba River.
The Yuba River.
We had lunch at Jadaa’s Kitchen. Great food.
The grocery store.
Yuba River.
I was trying to handhold while using a slow shutter.
The river.
A unique fence made from skies.
Imagination continues.
A rowboat planter!
Viewing a house from below.
An outdoor heat source.
Someone’s property that is quaint.
The court house.
The court house.
Someone’s property that is quaint.
An outdoor heat source.
Viewing a house from below.
A rowboat planter!
Imagination continues.
A unique fence made from skies.
The river.
I was trying to handhold while using a slow shutter.
Yuba River.
The grocery store.
We had lunch at Jadaa’s Kitchen. Great food.
The Yuba River.
The bridge that takes you over the Yuba River.
The local Inn.
The visitor’s center!
Posted on by Anne Sandler

Circling life: The Clydesdales, Fairfield, California

Both Alyse and I decided in a recent phone conversation that we were going around in circles–not literally but in the sense of getting nowhere with our lives. Returned from our 2-week road trip, neither of us felt that we were getting much done or advancing toward a goal.

I had wanted to take a course from Leanne Cole, a friend and fine-art photographer in Australia,  but have yet to start it. I just don’t have the time. I’m still moving boxes around, unpacking the ones I can, shopping for new things for the house and beginning to get into a normal routine, including photography. Maybe, I’m wanting too much too soon. I want to have my house done, want to begin to meet people in my new community and want to advance in my photography ability–ALL AT ONCE!

Fortunately, I’m prioritizing photo outings with my regular Tuesday group. We recently visited the Anheuser-Busch plant in Fairfield to photograph the famous Clydesdale horses. We began with a plant tour (I’ll show the images in this post.) and then watched the hitching of the horses to the cart and the small parade. This was all done in their parking lot.

So, here are some pictures from the plant tour that lasted about 1 hour. I so enjoyed the outing, and had the feeling that I was accomplishing something. In the next post you’ll meet the horses and April, the dalmatian.

Oh, on a side note, when I met one of my new neighbors, I kept talking about going out to shoot this and that. I saw a puzzled look on her face, and realized she thought I was talking about guns! “I shoot with a camera,” I said!

This is a reflection of the truck and gates in a plant window.
Inside the plant, flags are displayed.
A mural.
On the main floor.
Lots of shiny steel.
Pipes.
The plant is immaculate.
Drums containing product.
Getting up close.
On the go.
We’re in the packaging area.
I think cases come down the circular conveyor belt.
Always a photographer, I look for an angle.
I really don’t know what this is, but it was hanging there as we excited. He’s cute.
Posted on by Anne Sandler · 4 Comments

Internet??: Half day at the Grand Canyon

We’ve come to rely on the internet for so much, and we take it for granted–that is until you don’t have it!

I’m on the road again with my friend Alyse. This trip was set up 9 months ago; a long time before we decided to downsize and move. It was a week retrieval in a sense. I had lost a timeshare week with RCI because of Richard’s inability to travel for 3 years. I was able to recover all but this particular week. So, after paying extra to get it back and extend it, I invited Alyse to join me. There would be no saving the week again.

So that’s why I’m on the road so soon after moving. Yes, we did finally move! I left Richard with a huge mess. It’s hard to lose half a house. Oh, getting back to the internet, it’s very sporadic here at the Sedona Pines Resort in Sedona, Arizona. I’m hoping to get through this blog post.

We stopped at the Grand Canyon National Park for half a day during our trek to Sedona. I was there about 40 years ago with Richard and the kids. Of course, we saw more, but it was great to be there again. The memories of our family trip came flooding back. If you want to see more than just the rim drive, you need to hop on a bus. We didn’t have time for that, so we opted for the South Rim Drive. It was enough to give us a taste of how vast the Canyon is.

On our way, I stopped in Seligman, Arizona. Alyse had never seen this quaint little town with it’s Route 66 allure. I was saddened to see that some of the manikins were gone, but there was enough for her to enjoy.

My internet time may be getting slow so let’s get on with the pictures!

The Watchtower. This structure was designed by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter.
She painted the the art inside.
The architecture is simply amazing. Looking up at the floors.
Looking down to the ground floor.
An artistic sample.
The South Rim.
There are many colors and textures.
Here you can see the Colorado River.
Trees survive in the rocks.
The rocks have character high above the river.
It was a hazy, cloudless day so I concentrated on the Canyon.
Seligman Arizona.
I found Marilyn in a store.
Some of what’s left in Seligman.
Posted on by Anne Sandler · 6 Comments

Comfort food needed: Sacramento Zoo & WPA Rock Garden

I’m still not moved. I’m still frustrated. I need comfort food. I went to the Sacramento Zoo. I love that place and haven’t been there since January. You never know what the animals will be doing.

One of the snow leopards was pacing in the enclosure, the mighty lions were asleep on top of their new platforms, the wood ducks were hiding, the new flamingo babies were finally placed with the grown ups, the orangutans were hiding, the wolf guenon exhibit and tiger exhibits were closed, the red river hog babies are almost full grown and the wallabies were finally letting me take good pictures. A gal can miss a lot in a few months!

Yes, the animals put me in a better mood, so did one young lady destined for stardom. I took her picture with her mom’s permission.

After the zoo, we went to shoot at the WPA Rock Garden for a few minutes. It was great to get out with my camera and away from the move.

A crested screamer sitting on her nest.
I don’t know what kind of duck this is, but it posed nicely!
Baby flamingo in the large enclosure.
Baby showing off.
Oh my, shedding his beak–normal, but not happy.
Baby blowing bubbles.
Red Panda got up from his nap, but briefly.
The Wallaby.
Eye on the Snow Leopard.
It was a difficult morning for this tiger.
This young girl had it all together!
Now at the WPA Rock Garden.
The sun was high in the sky.
Made shooting a little difficult.
But, you work with what you have.
Posted on by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

Betwixt and between: Yolo Bypass

We’re still not moved yet. I can’t say this is the worst move we ever made because the move to this house was equally traumatic. Moving is about the most emotional change you go through. There’s sadness about leaving a home you loved and happiness about building a life in another. Right now, I do feel betwixt and between. Richard and I talk about “home” and have to qualify which one!

In the meantime, I’m able to go on photo outings. This blog is about Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (also known as the Vic Fazio Wildlife Area). I was there a month ago, but each time is different. On this trip, the hunting area was open so Laura and I drove through it. We saw more wildlife than on the regular driving route. Maybe they knew they were safe at the time!

Right now, photography gets me away from a house that’s missing furniture, a house that’s being painted and floors being put in, and the stress of it all. I did pack my camera cases, but not my cameras and gear. Yes, for me photography is great therapy for the moving blues!

Here’s the latest from the Yolo Bypass. Again, my bird book is packed, so no captions!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

When it rains: Emigh’s Hardware

It’s great that stores allow photographers to come in out of the rain to shoot inside. On a recent rainy day, my Tuesday group invaded Emigh’s Hardware store–with permission! While our new house is being painted and floors are being put down, I have time to shoot. Even with the rain, it was good to get away from packing for a few hours.

And, we did shoot for a few hours. Emigh’s, located in Sacramento, is much more than a hardware store. They have a small nursery, an enormous selection of outdoor fun stuff, outdoor furniture and of course hardware. When you walk into the store, you are greeted and asked if you need help finding something. While walking through the store, I was asked several more times.

I totally enjoyed taking pictures in their outdoor decorations area. Really it was more of a separate room. I also ventured out to the nursery while the rain had slowed down to a mist.

It was a much needed fun morning. Moving is like riding a roller coaster. Our buyer fell out of contract, but our fabulous realtor resold the house in one day–for more money! But, that was a tough 24 hours for me.

I’m looking forward to Tuesday when no rain is predicted and I still can refrain from packing. We just have to figure out where we’ll go. That’s next on my list!

What is this fish trying to say?
This was the centerpiece of a windchime.
This was a sun wall decoration.
I also tried to create abstracts from windchimes.
All that glitters.
These were shells that I tried to do something artistic with. Not sure I made it.
A crystal in a decoration.
Here’s looking at you!
An indoor plant.
A butterfly wing on a windchime.
I forgot what this was, but it works well as an abstract.
Beautiful in pink.
This one welcomed the water.
Flower out in the nursery.
Posted on by Anne Sandler · 6 Comments

Blog neglect: Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area, Davis California

It takes a lot of time and effort to get a house ready to sell. If you’ve ever sold a home you know what I mean. We had pictures taken today and have a few days before the listing goes live, giving me the time to write this blog and go on a photo outing tomorrow.

Today’s post is on the Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area–we locals call it the Yolo Bypass. This close-to-home wildlife area that covers 25 square miles and is home to nearly 200 species of birds. I’ve never seen 200 birds, but it’s close to home and usually we can spot a few species. Unlike other wildlife areas, we are allowed to get out of our cars to photograph the wildlife.

However, the last couple of times I’ve been there, the wind was blowing so hard that even the birds were having trouble. This recent outing was a challenge for me to hold a heavy camera and lens while bracing myself in the wind.

Still, it was fun and I’m looking forward to the break in the house selling effort to attend my Tuesday group’s outing to the Historic Old Sacramento City Cemetery. Marlene is spicing it up with a scavenger hunt.

We’re not moving far, just downsizing. When you’re in your mid 70s, it’s best to think ahead and buy a home without stairs, etc.!

A bit thirsty!
This Great Egret was making its way through the reeds.
Four and twenty black birds!
Lonely black bird.
My bird book is packed so I can’t ID the ducks.
Look at the feathers on this egret.
Getting a closer look.
Goin’ fishing.
A close up.
Reflection.
A view a farm and Sacramento in the background.
Mr. and Mrs. Mallard.