I’m not saying I’m lazy, but…I do like to keep things close, especially when I’m driving. When we were leaving McKinley Park, Marlene suggested we go to the William B. Pond Recreation Area which was close to where we were going to eat lunch.
This park is named after the first Regional Parks Director, William B. Pond and is a man-made lake. We first went down the stairs to the viewing area. From there we saw the lake, ducks, and geese. The highlight for me was the standoff between two Mallards and their mates. We then walked along the river, shooting puddles and sights.
Before we left, we walked over the bridge for another vantage point and saw to cyclists each on what would be a low profile tricycle. You’ll see the image.
I still can’t believe that I had never been to these two beautiful areas that were so close. Sacramento has a lot to offer in recreation in addition to the American and Sacramento Rivers. It was a day of fun and we didn’t have to drive a distance to get there. Again, I’m not lazy; just practical!
Down the stairs to the viewing area. Marlene is capturing some alone time.
Sacramento does have Fall Foliage.
On the bridge looking down on a fisherman.
Another beautiful capture. The clouds were awesome.
River view from the bridge.
The cyclists.
Looking at the lake from the viewing area.
Look how calm the lake is to show a mirror reflection.
In flight.
While we were walking along a path.
Here’s Marlene, her shadow and reflection.
The one on the left turned to leave. This took a few minutes. Ducks are stubborn. I’m wondering what it was all about!
I’ve heard of McKinley Park, but it took 14 years of living in the Sacramento area to visit it. Now I’m wondering why I waited so long. And, it’s funny what brought Marlene and I to visit it–I still can’t wear anything except Birkenstock sandals! Enclosed shoes still hurt the surgery area on my right foot. The park was an easy access walk. However, it had rained the day before and my feet still got wet from the grass.
There are two areas to visit in McKinley park: the rose garden and the pond. I loved the rose garden. Without a macro lens, I did close up shots of the colorful cast in the rose play. The pond offered beautiful scenery and a lot of ducks.
Best of all, McKinley park is relaxing and peaceful. See for yourself. It won’t take another 14 years for me to return.
I liked the lighting on this rose.
You can see the remnants of rain on the roses.
I wish I had my macro lens to get closer to that bug, but there was a breeze which would have made macro difficult.
A nice expressive rose.
Getting closer in.
A young rose; not quite fully opened.
Last but not least.
I’m not sure what this is called, maybe pampas grass?
There are inviting arch ways on three sides of the garden.
At the pond, this coot cocked its head the same way my dog does when he’s trying to understand me. Yes, I was talked to it.
Yes, someone did mention that small town near the Sacramento River, and, of course, we had to go. We had no preconception regarding Knight’s Landing. Greg did say that there was really nothing there, but he took us anyway. He was almost correct–there was an old trestle foundation left from the old railroad days, and a quirky bar and grill.
Knight’s Landing is another census-designated place in Yolo County. Founded in 1843 by William Knight a doctor from Baltimore Maryland. it’s located on the Sacramento River in the northeastern portion of the county. In its early days it was a steamboat landing and point of communication between people east and west of the river.
Knights Landing was founded in 1843, by Dr. William Knight, a practicing physician from Baltimore, Maryland. On March 25, 1890, the Knight’s Landing branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad was completed and ready for business, and later the completion of the bridge across the river added immensely to the prosperity of the town. Today empty tracks and the remnants of the railroad trestle on the river are the only reminders of this town’s glory days.
Leaving the beauty of the river behind, we went to Stingrayz Beach Boardwalk Marina. Well, it sounds fancy doesn’t it? It wasn’t, but it was fun. I understand that the joint jumps on the weekend with music and party goers. You’ll see what I mean when you look at the images.
We did stop in Woodland on our way home, but I’ll show you those in another post about the Woodland Opera House. Meanwhile visit Knights Landing through my camera lens. In my next post you can experience Stingrayz.
The trestle connecting the two river banks.
I loved the reflection that gave a mirror image.
This is also another view.
Looking the other way.
Feral kittens now on their own.
They are fed by a woman who lives nearby.
Now how cute can you get?
Many people are out fishing along the banks.
This couple was glad to catch something.
The beautiful Sacramento River.
We were told this was a pump house.
I don’t know what they were fixing or building, but they were busy.
This is over by Stingrayz.
You meet all sorts of nice people and their dogs when you’re out shooting.
We decided to escape from Sacramento. We didn’t know where we’d end up, but just wanted to get out from under the cloud cover that would prevent us from shooting the blood moon eclipse. Laura was our navigator while Linda and I gave suggestions.
We ended up at the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge a little over 100 miles when you don’t take the direct route. We knew there was a viewing area that would give us a perfect view of the moon rise over the Sutter Buttes (a low mountain range). However, smoke from the recent fire was still hanging low on the horizon as if mocking us for traveling so far to shoot the moon! I was hoping to still catch some of the moon rise through the smoke haze.
While waiting I shot some pictures of the wetlands and at sundown, turned my camera around to shoot the sunset. Not a cloud visible. Then I turned my attention to the moon rise. There were five of us with cameras and tripods set to shoot, but we couldn’t find the moon! Finally as it rose slightly above the haze, one of the photographers found it and helped the rest of us hone in on the red sphere.
I went in with the realization that I was only shooting with a 300 mm and I wouldn’t get professional images. But, I was still a little disappointed with what I did get. This morning when I looked at some other photographers’ images, I saw similar quality. So maybe I didn’t do so bad. My lens did what it could. Hindsight, rent a longer lens and use your heavier tripod! But am I into it that much?–I don’t know.
Oh, we really didn’t have to travel out of Sacramento. The clouds dissipated after dark! But, we had fun! The next morning I iced my foot again! Foot surgery is a bummer.
The sun is beginning to set giving a glow to this wetland.
This refuge has all sorts of wildlife. On our way out, we met deer, skunks, jack rabbits and opossums.
Getting closer to sundown and mosquitoes. Why didn’t I wear jeans and bring bug spray?
Caught this sunset when I turned around. No clouds.
Yes, sunflowers were popping up again. But this time in a different field, in Davis, and different time of day. We, Marlene, Linda and I, found the field about 11 a.m., and the sun was getting high in the sky. A visit to the California Automobile Museum, in Sacramento, caused us to arrive a little later than we would have liked.
My goal was to shoot over the field and get a wide shot. However, we forgot to bring a small ladder. Okay, I’m short! I did my best, trying to stand as tall as possible. It was a different type of shoot than the last during sundown. There was no back lighting, just blaring sun. I’m finding that I now make do with the environment I shoot in, figuring what type of shot would work best.
For instance, at the Automobile Museum, the cars were so close together and the lighting poor so I decided to do mostly close ups. I went for the hood ornaments, the tires, the horns–whatever looked interesting and different. I’m now shooting with intent and not just doing snapshots. I’m actually able to pull out something good from what doesn’t look like a great photo opportunity.
I’m still learning, but I’m more confident in my abilities. There’s another sunflower shoot on July 5. Maybe I’ll join them, you never know what will pop up!
A historic fire engine.
The back of the fire engine.
I like the way this car was set up with the backdrop and bench. A fellow photographer was great to share some processing tips for me to get this look.
I liked the patterns in the back of this car.
Stephen, Linda, (back row) Marlene and I had some fun. All four cameras were set to shoot on a time delay.
Notice the reflection in this hub cap.
This lady is flying!
I tried some different presets in Lightroom here.
This classic car looked great in monochrome.
Here’s the sunflower field.
A sunflower bud waiting to see the sun.
The backside of a sunflower! I was trying different angles.
I love it when I learn, and I did learn when we went to shoot fireworks. I had good luck when using my old point and shoot by putting it on a special setting. It did all the thinking. When I tried to shoot fireworks with my D3100 it was a mess. I just didn’t know how to set the camera and I didn’t have a tripod.
Fast forward a year and a half, Shoot Or Go Home Meetup group is going the shoot fireworks–A chance to learn. Our local minor league baseball team, the River Cats, have fireworks after their home games. We used the Tower Bridge to set the stage and waited. During that time, Mary, the group’s organizer, gave us a lesson on how to get the best images.
And then they started. We were all anxiously pressing down the shutter button. The show was short and we did our best. I was happy with what I got. What I was not happy with was my camera’s processing length. With a short show, every second of processing time seemed like minutes.
Afterwards, we went to capture some light trails. Since I’ve done that before, I was able to help two other women succeed. So the student became the teacher!
I do love both teaching and learning.
I love sunbursts. Shot this one as the sun was setting on the Sacramento River.
A restaurant sits on wood planks.
I like this building and never miss a chance to shoot it. The sky was also beautiful.
One train still uses these tracks.
The sunset.
The Tower Bridge after sunset.
The fireworks begin.
I could have shot more if my camera didn’t have such a lag time.
The Tower Bridge connects Sacramento to West Sacramento.
The show’s theme must have been “red, white and blue.”
Four days of music, music and more. The more resulted in a pound weight gain! I wait all year for the brats, kettle corn, and ice cream: jazz, dixieland, rag, rock and country. What would you do at a music festival besides listen to wonderful music and eat fun food? Well, we work at the Sacramento Music Festival too.
Should I call listening to talented youth bands work? Probably not, except for the night we closed and our last band set ended at 11 p.m. That was too late for kids and seniors! Our venue is free for the public while most other venues are by paid admission only. So, our attendance varies between 50 and 70 people who come and go during the sets. Some youth bands have a strong following and attendance can go up to 90.
We enjoy working here because it’s a small venue with little clean up and the kids are great. In fact, some are equal to the professional bands we listened to. Many of the local youths are graduates of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society’s, sponsor of the festival, music camp. In fact, local professional musicians are involved with these young musicians and their musical education.
I also used this 4-day festival to practice photography. Each day, I had a particular goal in mind. Many times, you cannot do photography and enjoy the event. But, while I was shooting, I could still hear the music. And, the performers don’t mind having someone take their pictures.
Confession, we did not go in on Monday except to help tear down our venue. Yes, there is such a thing as too much music, music and more! This a 2-part post.
After setting up our venue, we caught half of the Puget Sound Machine, a U.S. Navy band.
These are the Reedley River Rats from Reedley, California. They are high schoolers and are terrific!
Looking cool with shades!
This young man had a great voice.
One of the few non-performance images I shot. This doorway spoke to me!
The lead singer from headliners Tower of Power.
This vocalist from the Syncopating Sea-Monkeys has a beautiful, soulful voice. She’s ranks as professional in our minds. Fortunately, she will continue her music studies in college.
This young gal also had a great voice. I believe she’s from the Dixie Dominus from Fremont, California. After three days of working the venue, I get the bands mixed up.
Lead singer of Zydeco Flames
Musician playing the accordion from the same group.
A close up of washboard action.
Guitarist with Zydeco Flames.
Lead singer again.
Spectator with a sitting duck hat! Sorry, I couldn’t resist!
It’s not big as far as zoos go, but that’s the beauty of it. You can get around the Sacramento Zoo in about 2 hours–more if you have children with you. You know kids like to snack and play at the playground.
Marlene and I went to the zoo to shoot (gently with a camera) the animals. I had taken the grandkids there a few weeks before and discovered you’re either a grandparent or photographer! However, we were surprised by the bus loads of school kids there on a Thursday morning. It made shooting a little more difficult, but it was fun to watch the children as they reacted to the animals.
So we walked, talked and shot the zoo’s inhabitants. It may be small, but it’s mighty.
This bird has a strange neck. Sort of cute.
I had fun shooting the flamingos.
This is classic flamingo.
Shh. Someone’s sleeping.
Got an itch? It takes a long neck to scratch it!
The pelicans are asking for food.
But, we’re encouraged not to feed them.
We had to make noise to wake this lion up.
Monkeys choosing who will eat first.
The winner.
The zebra was hungry and photogenic.
I loved the hair tuft.
I couldn’t zoom in enough to get rid of the cage, but just look at this bird’s eye. How colorful.
This bird has an unusual head. The cage is partially gone.
An anteater.
This giraffe was trying to get a leaf from the tree. He needs a longer tongue.
Is he embarrassed?
Maybe, but he’s beautiful.
A red panda.
We finally got him to stand up.
A snow leopard.
Gorilla.
When we arrived at the orangutan enclosure, they were all inside. Finally this one came out with a tarp.
He played with the tarp for a few minutes and then went back in.
The wildest animals of all: Left, Marlene and Right, Anne
My combining passions has nothing to do with returning to Midtown, but everything to do with my love for photography and Toastmasters. I’m currently much better at the latter (being a DTM), and gaining skills daily on the former! I took the bold step of starting a photography club within Toastmasters about six months ago.
That was a big step because of the time dedication it needs. We now have nine members and hope to get to 10 soon. We call ourselves, “All About Photography,” and follow the Toastmaster format. Since we are an advanced club, you have to be in a basic club to join. It has been fun for me and the other members as we learn from each other. Our skill set ranges from beginner to professional. I’ll tell you more about the club and show you some of the members’ images too in a future post; but, now–back to Midtown.
Our guide, Greg Morris, loves this area and will take us down alleys, along the railroad tracks and some places that I wouldn’t go if we weren’t together. I’ve shown you some of the murals painted on walls and garage doors in a prior post and I want to show you some more.
So, here’s at least an example of one passion!
This mural was along side a cloting store specializing in gently used articles.
Part of the mural was painted onto the concrete parking lot.
This one was part of a strange mural.
From the same mural. I don’t know why their heads were in animal’s mouths!
There are many old victorians in Sacramento. This is one of them.
A flower from the garden.
Another victorian. When they are well kept they are beautiful.
This is Sandra Dee’s, a soul food restaurant. You can see the mural painted down the brick wall of the eatery.
I loved the mural and shot some single images.
I’m thinking they may be of musicians who played there.
Whoever painted these did an amazing job.
I need to go back there an taste the soul food. I hear it’s good, but greasy.
This small mural in in their parking lot.
Greg befriended a homeless man named Timothy.
Timothy was carrying a book he was reading and told Greg all about it.
From what I heard, they got on other topics too.
I liked the fencing on this home. Someone told me it was a harlequin pattern.
This is a view of an apartment building in an alley.
I had the pleasure of spending most of the day with my friend Sharon from Los Angeles before she went on to San Francisco last week. I picked her up at the airport after my Toastmasters meeting, we went to lunch and then headed to Old Sacramento. Now I would never had pulled out a camera before the 365 day challenge, but I did. After feeding the parking meter, I explained the 365 challenge to her. Not only was she okay with it, she was pointing out interesting things to me.
Old Sacramento is an area, located on the Sacramento River, containing quaint shops, old architecture, a train station, a few museums (most notably the Railroad Museum).
I enjoyed that day with Sharon, not only catching up with her, but realizing that I will probably pull my camera out from now on–365 challenge or not.
This challenge is amazing. I’m learning more than I thought I would and also found the support of a long-time friend.
The clouds were beautiful.
Horse carriages are normal in Old Sacramento.
This train created some nice lines.
You can shop, walk and relax at Old Sacramento.
A view of the Tower Bridge and West Sacramento.
The paddle wheel on the Delta King, a hotel and restaurant ship.
Of course, this is a lock!
Rope holding a boat to the dock.
A small visitor scurries under the rope after I almost stepped on it.
Another view of West Sacramento.
Someone left these old boots on the wood walk way.
Slow Shutter Speed 