Posted on by Anne Sandler · 29 Comments

Lens-Artist #113: A Labor Of Love

When I first saw this challenge given by Rusha Sams, my immediate thoughts went to raising children. They are conceived in love, raised with love and then their children are loved. Beyond that, when I was traveling, I wasn’t taking pictures. It’s only in my senior years that I discovered photography as a form of self-expression and a passion.

So, bringing “A Labor Of Love” down to very basic terms, I chose to show an activity that is a labor of love for participants and fans alike. My topic: Hot Air Balloon Festivals.

I’ve only been to two Hot Air Balloon Festivals. The first was in September, 2012 when I bought my Nikon D3100. I chose an entry level camera to start because I wasn’t sure about photography. It didn’t take long before I upgraded to the D7100. I heard about the balloon festival in Windsor, California. So, off Richard and I went in our 5th wheel trailer, staying two nights in what they set aside as a campground. I was warned that the show started promptly at 4 a.m., and it did.

I woke up to the announcer on the loud speaker saying, “Good morning Windsor!” I jumped out of bed, got dressed, grabbed my camera and ran out the door to be greeted by total darkness. Once on the field, I realized I hadn’t set my camera! I saw the green “A,” turned the dial, and ran toward the “Dawn Patrol” that had just set up. The rest is history. I had a great time. I loved the challenge of getting the shots, lying on the ground as the balloons went up in the air, kneeling down to catch a picture of the balloon being blown up. It was an exhilarating morning. Here are a few of my first shots with my camera.

Fast forward to September 2017 when I was shooting with a Nikon D7100 at the Reno Hot Air Balloon Festival, Reno, Nevada.

Linda and I decided to stay one night at a hotel and waking up at 3:30 a.m. rather than waking up at 1 a.m. and driving 2 hours. It was a smart move for two seniors! This was a larger festival and just as much fun.

I saw many of the same balloons in Reno as I did in Windsor. The pilots have such a love for this sport that they travel from festival to festival. Weather is a big factor on whether they can take their balloons up. The second day at Windsor, it was too windy for them to fly.

This was a nice memory to catch up on. Thank you Rusha!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 21 Comments

Lens-Artist Challenge #107: Winter

The wonderful thing about living in Sacramento is being able to visit Winter, enjoy for a few hours and come back to mild temperatures and no snow! Oh, I forgot to mention that if you time it right, you won’t need snow tires or chains to get to the snow and ski resorts. But timing is critical.

I remember taking two members of my Skillbuilders Toastmasters Club to Reno, Nevada for a District 39 conference. We didn’t see any snow on the 2-hour ride up to Reno. We were just about to find a place to eat dinner when my husband called and said to come home. There was a big storm ready to hit Reno and further west. We didn’t hesitate. By the time we got to the car, the snow was already falling. When we got to the California border, I couldn’t see in front of me; the snow was falling that heavy. I managed to get down the mountain by following truck tracks that sort of plowed the road. I didn’t have snow tires or chains. However, the scenery was simply beautiful. Freshly fallen snow on pine trees; a photographer’s dream. It’s too bad I was driving. I would have been taking pictures.

While the timing was wrong for that trip, it was right for our February 2016 trip to the small town of Donner Lake, near Truckee, in Nevada County. The weather was perfect, roads were plowed and plenty of snow available to photograph. Linda drove and Marlene and I went along. It was an amazing day, topped off by the best pizza. Yes, we are foodies of sort.

Thank you Ann-Christine, and this challenge, for taking me back to a wonderful day! Check the captions for image details.




  • Donner Lake as seen from Donner Pass Road.
  • We assumed these homeowners would have to dig themselves in!
  • Icicles are beautiful.
  • There were many snowmen guarding the roads.
  • The small town lake side.
  • Mirror reflection.
  • Donner lake as seen from the snow tunnels no longer used by the trains.
  • On the way to lunch, we stopped at the Truckee River.
  • On the way home, we stopped at Cisco Grove.

I’ve been up the mountain to shoot snow since, but never experienced a day like this. Isn’t it wonderful that we have our images to help us remember. Keep beauty in your heart!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 8 Comments

Wild but gentle: Searching for wild horses

You know, one person photographs something, then everyone is after the same thing. And, of course, I’m no different. A few photographers recently went on a tour to photograph wild horses in Nevada. Their photos were great and spurred Me, Laura and Marlene on to find a herd.

We did, just outside Reno, Nevada. The other photographers found their group near Minden, Nevada. Laura knew of a herd near Reno and had their approximate position. When we got there, civilization had encroached on their territory, but they were still there. We drove through a housing complex, found the gate, drove beyond the gate and there they were! That easy!!

I couldn’t believe how used to people these Mustangs were. One came up to me straight on. I had to tell him I didn’t have anything for them. I did see someone feed them some carrots before he left the area.

It was amazing. These horses live just outside a residential area with a small stream as their water supply. They were grazing on whatever they could find on the ground. At one point, I saw a bunch galloping down the hillside. I yelled galloping and ran to the spot. Laura turned around and got some excellent shots. Mine are not so good, just a little soft, but I’ll show you one anyway. I was having a difficult time handholding the heavy F/4 300mm lens. Next time I’ll bring a monopod like Marlene did!

I want to find more wild herds. And, maybe my post will spur other photographers on to find herds to photograph.

I mostly used my 18 -140 mm lens since we were able to get so close.
Do horses wag their tails?
Beautiful profile.
Shall we dance?
They just quenched their thirst.
Here’s looking at you!
Walking from the stream.
I watched this horse lay down and….
Then he rolled in the grass!
Eating some greens near the stream.
Standing tall.
The galloping horses.
More of the herd coming down the hill.
In the water.

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Lost and found: Finishing up the Sedona trip

Great news, I found my rice cooker and some other things!! But, now where is the other speaker for my stereo? I know I saw it sitting apart from the other speaker and stereo, but where? This is the game Richard and I have been playing while trying to get things back to normal activity.

I did go out with my Tuesday group last Tuesday, and I’m still processing those pictures. I finally finished processing the Sedona trip. Time for shooting and processing has been minimal; plus I managed to catch a cold. I really wasn’t chasing after it.

So let’s look back at my fun time at the Blazin’ M Ranch in Cottonwood, Arizona. We went for the dinner show, and it was a blast. I, of course, ate way too much. The chicken was excellent and so were the ribs. The entertainment was even better. If you’re ever in Sedona, this is a must.

 

We got to the ranch early because I expected Old Town Cottonwood to be more of a photo opportunity than it was.
The hall where we dined and saw the show.
Another structure.
Some attendees taking pictures.
One of the shops.
The Jail.
One of the entertainers.
Happy Birthday folks.
The trio.
A little closeup.
This gal can yodle!
Her husband.
The comic relief.
His serious side.

On the way home, when I wasn’t driving, I shared my seat with my D7100. I was able to capture some drive by shots somewhere between Utah,Nevada and California. 

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 6 Comments

Moving forward: Shasta Dam, Shasta County

I am excited! I just joined another photography group and signed up for one of their workshops. The group is Viewpoint Photographic and Art Center in Sacramento. Viewpoint is a gallery, store and educational center, catering to the photography community.

I went there a few years ago and was so overwhelmed–never went back. But, since joining the Sierra Camera Club (SCC), my confidence level has increased. Many of the members also belong to Viewpoint. I’ve learned so much in the two months I’ve belonged to SCC; can I learn even more at Viewpoint? Viewpoint also allows members to show their work and receive feedback.

In addition, Viewpoint gives workshops. I’m finally reaching the realization that I need more education than free online tutorials can give me. I know all that stuff. Now is the time for me to expand and leap forward. You’ll have to wait for my report on my first workshop which is on July 23rd. This is a big step for me; and, yes, I’m excited!

The images in this post are of Shasta Dam, the second tallest in the United States after Hoover Dam in Nevada. Construction began in 1937 and it was completed in 1945. Jill and I visited the Dam before attending the District 39 Toastmaster Conference in Anderson, California.

Our tour guide was wonderful and put up with our taking a lot of pictures during the tour. Fortunately, we were a tour of two! Take a look at what we saw.

Snow covered Mt. Shasta as seen from the Dam.
Outside the Dam.
Scotch Broom blooms on the hills.
The Dam.
I tried to get close ups.
And various angles.
Here I wish I had my ultra lens with me.
A hole in the wall with Scotch Broom peeking through.
I don’t remember what this was used for, but I do love old, rusted equipment.
Another view from an overlook.
The visitor’s center
The surrounding hills.
Now inside and walking down the hallway.
One of the turbines.
The row of turbines.
Now used as storage, this tunnel was integral in the building of the Dam.

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler

On the road again: to Las Vegas, Nevada for a family reunion

I’ve been busy; so busy that I’ve hardly had time for photography. My schedule has kept me from several photography meetup opportunities, but I have taken photos–not many–but enough to practice. This trip to Las Vegas will provide me with some photo opportunities.

I’ve decided to turn this blog into, for a short time, a series on our Family reunion in Las Vegas. It took us two days to arrive in Las Vegas, stopping for the night in Tehachapi, California. I did take some shots of the Tehachapi Historic Depot before the sun set.

The depot was built in 1904 along a Southern Pacific Railroad line, which founded the town of Tehachapi, and was one of the most active rural stations during World War II. Later it was a warehouse and a railroad office. In 2008, the depot burned down, was rebuilt in 2010 and is now museum.

We saw many trains come through. Some with three engines to carry the load they were pulling. These were long trains. They continued moving down the tracks all night.

The California desert is not pretty. I remember thinking that when we began our cross-country trip last summer. Things were bleak until we got into Arizona and New Mexico. The Nevada desert is also bleak, except for the casinos. Just as you cross the border into Nevada, there’s a small town with many casinos and hotels. “Welcome to Nevada,” the sign said.

In this post, you’ll see the train depot and a windmill farm. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you more about the reunion and its preparation.