Posted on by Anne Sandler · 23 Comments

My First Rodeo, part 2

We are back at the rodeo. This time we are roping cows and tying their legs. We are also riding horses that don’t want to be ridden.

When you’re sitting in the stands, watching the action you are in awe. You are amazed at the skill of the riders, you don’t think about the possible injuries they sustain while riding. You also don’t think about the animals. There’s a reason they don’t want to be ridden.

I’m not sure whether I’ll be back to another rodeo. I also don’t like boxing. I think it’s not right to have two men or women get in a ring just to hit each other.

Okay, off my soap box and on to the action. Here are pictures of one cowboy’s effort to lasso a cow, get it to the ground and tie its feet. I think it’s amazing that he can pick up the cow and get it on its side.

Here’s the bucking bronco event. This is one cowboy’s rough ride.

I’m glad I went to experience a rodeo. Another experience I want is to ride in a hot air balloon. You can be sure if I do, you’ll see a post about it!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 51 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #295: Rock Your World

It’s no wonder rocks rock our world. They are everywhere. So Donna’s challenge this week should be easy, but there are so much to choose from. I limited myself to two years and began searching. Here’s what I found in 2015 and 2016.

I found that rocks and water make wonderful effects like waterfalls and water sprays.

Locally, we have a town named Rocklin. Can you guess why? If you thought it was the sight of quarries you’re right. The site of Griffith Quarry is now a park.

Rocks are also abundant along rivers. The following pictures were taken along the South Fork of the Yuba River.

South of Sacramento in Gold Country is Sonora. We visited our friends who live there during the wildflower season.

I do have a much larger rock to show you. This was taken near the town of Bridgeport on the way to the ghost town Bodie.

I’ll close with an image taken on the shore of local Folsom Lake.

There are many more opportunities for finding rocks and mountains in Northern California.

When you respond to this challenge, please remember to link it to Donna’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we all learned more about ways to edit our photos in John’s “Before and After” challenge. I totally enjoyed reading all of your editing methods. Next week Ritva is challenging us so be sure to look for her post.

Until then, be happy and stay safe!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 16 Comments

Lens-Artist Challenge #111: Everyday objects

Thank you Patti! This challenge made me stretch beyond my normal type of photography. What I finally came up with are a few things around my house that bring me joy.

First are my bamboo wind chimes. I love the sound they make even in a slight breeze. As you can see, they are old and cracking, but they still sound beautiful.

Also outside are my red chairs. I saw two red chairs during a visit to Volcano, a very small town in the gold country, and was instantly drawn to them. When I repainted the house I had to get some. They are a perfect accent for my gray and charcoal color choice.

One thing about me that you may not know: I’m a huge Mickey Mouse fan and love almost everything Disney. So Mickey is in my house big time. One Mickey treasure is my toaster given to me by dear friends. It’s really not good to use since the outside gets hot. So, it sits as a decoration on top of my kitchen cabinet. Who could not enjoy that first cup of coffee after looking at Mickey!

My fondest Mickey treasure is a big puzzle my older grandson, Christopher, made for me. Each piece is a scene from a Disney movie. He framed it and it hangs at the end of my hallway. Here’s the puzzle and a close up so you can see the puzzle pieces. It’s amazing.

And finally, my dog Gem. He’s a Schnoodle and is 10 years. We walk every day, so I guess he’s an everyday thing!

Thanks again Patti! It was fun!!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 4 Comments

Wandering with my camera: Amador County, California

Well, I was wandering with my camera and my photo buddy Greg. He’s my guide and driver. When you go out shooting with Greg, you get the history of the area along with some back roads scenery.

Amador County is in the gold country. Its history goes back to the gold rush days when people were coming west to find their fortune in gold. Today its hills are covered with ranches, farms and grape vines. Wineries welcome you in to taste their finished products. It’s rural and beautiful.

This trip took us to Michigan Bar road and a small ranch. We didn’t trespass, but we weren’t invited either. You need to be careful not to go onto properties, but shoot from the road. After shooting what we could of the ranch, Greg took us into Jackson via the back roads.

Jackson is Amador County’s seat of government, and is in the heart of the Mother Load. This town blends the old and the new. We found some of the buildings in need of repair, and some were newer but made to look old. Others were rich in history.

There is so much to see, and we will be returning soon with photo buddy Marlene. Just call us the photo wanderers.

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Back to the 18 – 55: Sutter Creek, California

Old, quaint, touristy, and surviving are just some words to describe Sutter Creek in the California gold country and Amador County wine area. I say surviving because you used to have to go through the town as you drove highway 49. Now there’s a bypass so drivers don’t get bogged down in the town’s traffic.

From the town’s website: A wonderful balance of old and new, today’s Sutter Creek maintains its Gold Rush facade while catering to the wants and needs of visitors from around the world.Shop, dine, slumber, stroll, wine taste, and enjoy the quaint atmosphere of Amador County. Sutter Creek, the jewel of Amador County & the Gold Country,  is steeped in history being born of the California Gold Rush and nurtured by the deep rock gold mines of the 19th & 20th centuries. 

I wasn’t as impressed with Sutter Creek as I was by Downieville. But then, we were able to buy lunch in this town! Sutter Creek was more commercial, not catering to any season. But it is surviving.

Here are some images.