What are you going to do when you retire? You’ll have a lot of time on your hands. I asked myself that question when I knew I was going to close down my business. That’s when I dove into photography. George in my Toastmaster club decided to get his hands dirty at Soil Born Farms. A non-profit organization, their “mission is to create an urban agriculture and education project that empowers youth and adults to discover and participate in a local food system that encourages healthy living, nurtures the environment and grows a sustainable community.”
This non-profit is open to the public and has a store, cafe, docent walks and more. It is located near the American River in Rancho Cordova. I visited during the Halloween holiday when they had activities especially for the children.
The children were enjoying activities, wearing costumes and eating in the cafe. Some adults were in costume also. Most staff members were in costume. I didn’t have time to explore the trails, but I will go back. Here are some pictures from that morning.
Halloween scarecrow.Father and daughter.Yoga lesson.Staff working.Tour beginning.
I’ll be back and I’ll take the tour so I can bring back more information for you also.
What does winter mean to you? Sweater weather? Hot chocolate? Jackets and snow boots? John wants to know! To us photographers, it probably means snow and icicle images. To me, winter means one trip to the snow when the air is just right for a winter jacket and boots, you can drive in it without snow tires/chains and hot chocolate can be purchased at the nearest restaurant!
You got it, I enjoy seeing it, playing in it and leaving it behind. Fortunately I live in Sacramento California where it doesn’t snow. However that glorious winter weather is just a little over an hour away up Highway 80 at Donner Lake.
Also up the same road and about 10 minutes closer to home is Blue Canyon where my Astronomer husband has his observatory. Because of its location it is inaccessible in the winter.
Almost to the observatory.The observatoryThe road there and back.
One surprise snow experience happened when we were staying with the younger set of grands, in Reno Nevada, while their parents were away. During the night, I heard a strong wind slapping against the house. I woke up to a winter wonderland like I had never experience before. The truck was buried, the walkway had to dug out and the grands had a fun snow time.
Talking about the same trip, we decided to take the train from Sacramento to Reno, and back. We wanted the experience. Here are some pictures taken from the train on the way home.
Now we are about to enter winter. The weather will be cold, in the 30s (F) at night, climbing to the 60s in the afternoon. Yes, that’s the winter I want to experience!
Here in the Sacramento Valley the only time we get rain is in the winter. We do rely on the Sierra mountains snow pack, to fill our reservoirs with the melt during the summer. There have been many years of drought here when water has been rationed.
Thank you John for helping bring back those winter memories. Please remember to link to John’s challenge when you post your response, and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we explored elements via Sofia’s challenge. I enjoyed seeing your interesting responses.
Next week is our annual year-end challenge. In December 2022, the Lens-Artists team introduced a “Last-Chance” challenge. The idea was to review the year’s images that never quite fit our challenge subjects that year. The “rule” is that your chosen photographs must have been taken in 2024 and not have been included in response to our 2024 challenges. This challenge is not hosted. So, go through your archives and join us on Saturday, December 14, at noon Eastern Standard Time.
In the meantime, enjoy your holidays, have a safe New Year and we will be back in January.
Sometimes when you just need to take your camera for an outing, you don’t make wise decisions. Why did we decide to go to Apple Hill, which is just above Placerville in Placer County, on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend? There’s no good answer; we just weren’t thinking.
What is Apple Hill? Here’s an excerpt from the Growers Association website.
“Near the Sierra foothill town of Placerville, just off the beaten path between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe are the Apple Hill Growers. We are an agriculture community with a rich history in farming and winemaking where a new generation of growers invites you to share the experience with your family and friends. Representing over 50 local, family farms, the Apple Hill Growers are dedicated to supporting agriculture in our community. Founded in 1964 with just 16 apple ranches, we’ve now grown to include unique fruit & vegetable farms, bakeshops, wineries, a Bed & Breakfast Inn, flower gardens, and Christmas tree farms. Our winding roads and scenic beauty have been a popular destination for over 50 years. Come enjoy the fruits of our Apple Hill Growers any time of year!”
They may be open any time of the year, but November and December are their biggest money making months. Abel’s Apples was our first stop and it wasn’t too crowded at 10 a.m. They had candy apples, caramel apples, fudge, and more! We saw many cars with Christmas trees secured on the top.
Our next stop was Boa Vista Orchards. It was crowded but not too bad. Ray wanted to buy apples. I wanted to photograph at least one close up. How about persimmons?
I can’t remember the name of our next stop, but it’s where we ate lunch. The only thing non-sweet on the menu were corn dogs! They were actually good.
Our last stop was High Hill Ranch, the largest of the growers and most popular. They had crafters and artists selling their wares. There were places to get food and pies, etc. Oh, they had a fudge store. That fudge was delicious. Yes, I succumbed! I mostly sat around the pond and people watched and took photos of the ducks.
We were to meet at the car at 1 p.m. Fortunately for me, Ray was heading back at the same time I was. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to find row 10!
Ray walking to his car.
The best photograph of the day was taken through the car windshield on the way home. We had patches of fog all morning.
So why did we go? Because it was there! Would we go again? Probably not especially on a holiday weekend!
There’s nothing more contagious than a smile. Try it. Just smile at a stranger, and they will smile back. You can also wave. For me a smile is hope. And thank you Ann-Christine for showing us that we can still find hope and smile.
So what makes me smile? I’ve chosen five things that help me smile. Let’s start with animals. First, here is my friend Marlene talking with an alpaca; and, second, a zebra at the Sacramento Zoo with an itch.
Now let’s move on to landscapes. I do smile when I see a field of flowers or a mountain covered with wildflowers. Each year the poppies and sunflowers come out, and I try to get capture them with my camera. Because the sunflowers are farmed, they are easier to find. However, to capture a field of wild poppies is more difficult.
How many of you have chuckled when you saw a clever sign? I love that people will pass along their sense of humor to the public. I have two signs to show you. One is outside the bathroom at the Charles Schultz Museum in Santa Rosa and the other at Ruhstaller Farm in Dixon.
Ruhstaller Farm
If you’ve followed this blog, you know I love trees. They are so expressive and bring me joy.
And last, are people. They don’t have to smile at you to have you smile; they just need to be themselves in the moment. Here is my now teenage grandson at the California State Railroad Museum for the first time and a mother and son enjoying the music at a county fair.
Have these images brought a smile to your face? I hope so. Thank you Ann-Christine for helping us smile this week. When you post your response, remember to link to Ann-Christine’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.
Last week week Tina prepared us for smiling with her gratitude theme. I enjoyed seeing what you are all grateful for. Sometimes we just need a little poke to help us remember the goodness in life. Next week Sofia will present the challenge, so look for her post.
It’s so close to Thanksgiving here in the U. S., and it’s time to soul search and find what we are truly thankful for. I am truly thankful for the Yolo Arts & Ag Project. Each spring and summer the Project arranges for artists and photographers to visit farms and ranches in Yolo County. It’s refreshing for a suburbanite to get out into the country and experience amazing lifestyles. This outing was to Turkovich Family Wines in Winters.
The farms/ranches are open to artists/photographers twice a month for 4 hours in the morning. Sometimes we have full access and others limited access. Here we were able to ramble around the entire ranch. They had a small tasting room outside near the patio.
An artists sketches on the patio while the tasting station is being set up.
While roaming, I saw other artists busy creating. It’s interesting to watch them. Each has their own method of producing beautiful art.
I’m not sure what trees were on the property, but I did see nuts and fruits in the orchard.
And what would a winery be without grapes?
But there is work to be done.
I’m not sure what is in these containers. Grapes? Wine? I’m not sure of the process, and we are not to disturb the workers.
I just can’t close a farm visit without rust!
Thank you Yolo Arts & Ag! It was a great year of visits.
Egidio’s challenge on Silence has me standing on my soapbox. Television has ruined silence in this world or at least in my house. When my husband is home the TV is on whether he’s watching or not. My neighbor is the same way. “When I get up in the morning the TV goes on,” she says. She can’t handle the silence!
Me, I love the silence. I like to sit and read in silence. Work on the computer in silence. And, most of all, I like the silence when I’m out with my camera. Many of my images reflect this silence and quiet contemplation. When I walk with my camera, I relax and forget the world’s and my own problems.
For me still water helps me feel calm and my body and mind relax. I enjoy the calmness and mirror images of the water. The people on this lone boat must be experiencing a sense of wonder as they navigate this lake. A full moon shines on two shores of another calm and silent lake. How wonderful to sit and watch the moon rise.
I love tree arbors. As I approach them, I’m in awe by their graceful welcoming, and I feel enveloped in their natural sense of silence. I slow down as I drive through, wanting to savor the feeling. After all, they are bowing and welcoming me. The quiet countryside also helps!
People can also support silence through their actions or inaction. A couple enjoying the ocean while sitting in a bed of ice plant shows how the soft sound of the ocean can bring you into a calm and meditative state. Even walking along a creek can calm both human and canine. The three walk in silence.
Mountain views can bring you into awe and silence as you look at the breathtaking view. This is from Ananda Village in Nevada City. A small chapel is a viewpoint for those who want to meditate or pray. The mountains are part of the Sierra Nevada chain.
Fog has different effects on people. For me, it’s calming and sends me into silence and awe. So does a beautiful landscape, especially when it features an old structure. Notice, both images feature trees.
I’ll close with forest images. I love the forest especially when we are the only people camping. I sit and enjoy the smell and silence. Sometimes, nature provides us with something special!
Thank you Egidio for bringing us back into silence and helping us realize how we experience it through our photography. When you post your response, please link to Egidio’s original post and use the Lens-Artist tag.
I enjoyed seeing your responses to Ritva’s subjective challenge last week. They were diverse, creative and beautiful. Next week Patti will be our presenter. “In The Details” challenges us to choose a subject and focus on the details, photographing from different angles, distances using your camera or lens. She’d like you to post three photographs of your subject. This is just a hint, be sure to look for her post at pilotfish.com for full instructions.
Those of us who strive for perfection will see the cracks in everything. Those of us who accept life as imperfect will not see all the cracks, but see the beauty beyond those fractures. I’m one who looks for beauty to counter the world’s tension, especially here in the U.S.
I chose images for this challenge that offer “hope and redemption and spiritual insight,” as requested by Ritva in her challenge.
Let’s start with spiritual insight. Experiencing a total solar eclipse is a most spiritual encounter. I remember the awe as the day became dark and the only thing to remind us that we were not alone was the ring of light around the moon. Even thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.
Next is fog which darkens the sky and, when thick, creates a blanket of gray mist. The following image was taken during a sunrise walk with my dog while camping. How amazing as the sun shows its dominance. How small are we humans!
Catching first light with your camera is a rewarding experience. This was true for waiting in the dark at Yosemite Falls in the extreme cold. The next image was much easier to catch as I woke up to a beautiful snowy sunrise while at my son’s home. Both brought me exhilaration and awe. For me, both were spiritual in nature.
The sun also accents its own beauty no matter what time of day. You just have to catch it right. As photographers, we know not to miss an opportunity! I’m wondering if this eagle will get a tan on it’s face? I love when flowers are backlit by the sun, creating shadows as softness.
Last come sunsets. The crack in the light diminishes and our view of the world changes. Whether it’s a sunburst showing through an open barn or a beautiful soft glow on a lighthouse, we know another day has come to an end. We anxiously wait to see what tomorrow will be.
Thank you Ritva for this insightful and soul searching challenge. When you reply, please link to her challenge and use the Lens-Artists tag.
And thank you for all your responses to last week’s challenge on ICM. All of your ICMs were amazing and some are still coming in. I did pick up a few tips like shaking the camera. I hope you all enjoyed it.
Next week Egidio leads our challenge, so be sure to look for his post. Until then, stay safe and healthy.
Looking back is one of my favorite things to do. It reminds me of where I’ve been with my photographic journey and where I intend to go. For Sophia’s challenge, I chose the year 2019 to review. It was the year before Covid and a happy year. So let’s dive in!
Each year the wonderful volunteers at Ananda Village plant tulips for their April festival. This terraced field is lined with colorful and varied varieties of tulips. I haven’t gone for a couple of years. Maybe April 2025 will see me return.
Next, I’m looking back at one of the last outings with my dear friend who passed away from a brain tumor. We went to Calaveras Big Trees State Park. That’s Jean standing next to a giant sequoia. The other photo shows a young girl running along one of the paths.
Daffodil Hill closed down the day after these images were taken. The family who planted and cared for these flowers said the hill had become too popular and was being damaged by the large crowds.
I have another wonderful memory of a time with Jean. We went on a road trip into Amador County’s wine country. How beautiful.
Another memory I don’t want to visit again is Folsom Prison. You know the place made famous by Johnny Cash! We weren’t able to go inside for obvious reasons, but the gift shop was great. Here are some pictures of the outside as close as we were allowed to go. Thank heavens for zoom lenses!
Christmas will be here soon enough and so will the Victorian Christmas celebration in Nevada City. I’m not that anxious to face the brutal cold again, but it was fun.
Another private residence, that has since closed to the public, hosted weddings and other celebrations. The owners live on the property. We were lucky to visit on one of the public visit days.
Finally, I’m showing you the Sacramento River Walk in West Sacramento. It’s a walk I’ve taken many times and will continue doing so.
Thank you Sofia for encouraging us to visit our memories. It was a delight to bring the past back to life. When you reply to this challenge, please link to Sofia’s challenge and use the Lens-Artists tag.
Next week, as Sofia announced, we will be having fun with Intentional Camera Movement. I’m new at this and went out today for fun and learning. One hint–find shade or bring along a neutral density filter! I’m looking forward to seeing your abstract images. Until then, take care and be safe.
No matter how dismal a day or my mood may be, the world is a brighter place when I have a camera in my hand. Photography is my mood enhancer. This week’s challenge, from Ann-Christine, is all about mood: how photography reflects it.
Sunflowers make me feel joyful as does a field of yellow mustard flowers. Watching the bees in a sunflower field shows me how nature naturally is at work. A vast blanket of yellow is inviting and beautiful. One flower is large and the other is small. Each has its importance.
We move from nature at work to human and animal companionship. Those of us who have pets know they can bring joy into a household. My husband loves animals and struck up a friendship with this horse. What are they saying to each other? Human and animal bonding is not restricted to pets, even for a fleeting moment.
While we’re talking about animals, one of my favorite places to stroll through is our local Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Deer find grazing here safe with few predators. They accept us humans as a distraction because we shoot with cameras and not guns. Their acceptance is joyful to me, especially since we are in their habitat.
I love fog. It sets a mood of mystery, It’s enveloping and cool. I remember this outing well. My husband was upset because it was foggy and would ruin my opportunity for good pictures. I thought it was great and exciting.
How sweet and relaxing is a meandering path. My friend was walking as I watched her. When the time was right, I asked her to stop and pressed my shutter. The yellow grass of summer against the green trees and brown fencing–well, what can I say. It was enjoyable. She was certainly enjoying her walk.
Ann-Christine asked us how a black and white image reflects our mood. I love black and white and wanted to see this sunset in monochrome. For me, the color version is more soothing; yet, the monochrome version is more dramatic. What do you think?
I’ll finish with a scene that left me awestruck and excited. In my 81 years, I’ve never woken up to a blanket of snow. I just stood there taking in its beauty.
Now you see why photography brings me joy. Even when an outing doesn’t produce the desired results, I find something to photograph. Just having the camera in my hand motivates me. How about you?
I was away for a couple of weeks and couldn’t participate in Patti’s challenge, but I did see many of your responses, and they were beautiful. When you respond to this challenge, please link to Ann-Christine’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Sofia will present next week’s challenge. I wonder what mood she’s going to set.
I walk my neighborhood every day with a dog at the end of a leash. It’s really too early to take photos, so I’ve enlarged my stomping grounds and take my camera on photo outings. But, last week, I found a new neighborhood: Rollins Lake in the Sierra Foothills.
I don’t think Tina will mind if I show you the small campground I walked Gem through several times a day. We camped, or should I say glamped, with another couple. Both of us have RVs. The season just ended and we had the campground to ourselves.
Although mostly overcast, the weather was great. We were even treated to a pre-rain rainbow.
We did climb into the truck to see the boat launch and lake.
I hope my temporary neighborhood qualifies for Tina’s wonderful challenge. I’m excited to see your neighborhoods. Please remember to link to Tina’s post when you respond and use the Lens-Artist tag. Last week Egidio prompted us to show how we have fun. It was a delight to see all your posts.
I’ll be in San Jose for two weeks caring for a dear friend. I’m sure I will be able to enjoy your posts, but I’m not sure about generating my own. My laptop doesn’t have enough memory to handle processing programs. Take care everyone!
