We recently went up to Reno for my grandson’s 15th birthday and to see the Ostrich and Camel Races. Half way through the 2 1/2 hour trip, all of you had better sit down for this, I realized I left my camera at home! Can you imagine that?? Since I started photography, I’ve always had my camera with me for events.

In fact, my camera has taken me to many fun places I wouldn’t have gone if I wasn’t looking for an outing. I now realize, thanks to Egidio and his wonderful challenge, that photography has given me the opportunity for fun.

For instance:

The Sacramento Zoo has been a favorite of mine. It’s fun to get to know the animals and watch them through the years. I always check the red panda enclosure to see if they are awake. Being nocturnal, they are usually napping. This one was awake! The cheetahs are a relatively new zoo addition. One day they were grooming each other. What an opportunity.

The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is a natural habitat where deer, coyote, birds and other animals roam free. It’s located on the banks of the American River. The deer are used to humans and remain calm when we photograph them. However, they do have natural predators. Once we saw the remains of a deer carcass.

Not being a true “birder” with a super long lens, I enjoy my yearly visit to what I call the Nesting Trees in Lincoln. The trees sit in a gully in the middle of two shopping centers. The birds, blue herons and egrets, feel safe and build their nests there. Even though I only have a 300mm stretch on my Fujifilm camera and Tamron lens. I do manage to get a few good ones. I’ve also learned to bring a chair!

I do have fun at carnivals. Not riding the rides; but photographing them. I have fun zooming in and out, moving my camera up and down, combining both on a longer shutter speed. The Ferris wheel provided me with a lot of fun times.

Last, you know I like reflections. At the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento, they put a locomotive on mirrors. Did they do that just for me? Here’s one result.

All of these destinations bring me fun each time I visit. But the joy comes from being with my friends for these outings. Photography has brought me wonderful photo buddies and also a great community like LAPC. About leaving my camera home, it must have been an omen. Two days before the races, a fire broke out in Washoe Valley. It looked like they had it contained, but the wind picked up and it changed direction. While we were watching the first ostrich race, my son got an alert to evacuate. Richard and I came home, and my son and family went to stay with his in-laws. It was an intense two days, but the fire didn’t get to their community, and they were able to return home.

Your posts to Ritva’s Common Objects challenge were just the diversion I needed last week. I was amazed at all the different interpretations you had for that challenge. When you respond to Egidio’s Fun challenge, please link back to his post and use the Lens-Artists tag in the reader. Next week Tina will be challenging us, so look for her post.

In the meantime, find the joy in life and have FUN!