Sacramento – Page 9 – Slow Shutter Speed

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Anne Sandler · 3 Comments

It’s all happening at the: Sacramento Zoo!

Getting to know you–at least getting to know the animals at the Sacramento Zoo. I and others from the Camera Totin’ Tuesday group bought zoo memberships. That means I’ll be practicing more and having more zoo fun throughout the year. And, you’ll be coming along with me.

We got there when they opened during this trip and the large animals were active. The lions and their three cubs (teenagers now) were going in and out of their enclosure. I didn’t get to see the leopard, but got a shot of the jaguar.

The giraffes are always a favorite. I need to spend more time there during my next visit. We tend to go to shoot the big cats and spend more time in front of their enclosures. I also had fun watching the orangutans and gorillas.

The birds were tough to shoot in their enclosures because my 300 mm wasn’t enough to make the cages disappear. And, always, the flamingos are so beautiful.

Enough talk, here’s the first session of zoo animals from my year’s membership. I’ll be getting to know them better–by name!

Here’s dad enjoying his domain.

Siblings at play.

Here comes a cub.

Watch out.

Licking his chops.

Baby wallaby

Zebras. It’s breakfast time.

Up close and in black and white.

Pelican. Preening.

Flamingo. If the pelican can do it, so can I.

Jaguar. Here’s looking at you.

Gorillas. Let’s have a talk.

Yes, you have a pulse.

Orangutans. No I don’t want to discuss it!

This giraffe is hungry.

What’s the other giraffe eating?

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Anne Sandler · 8 Comments

After a rain, shoot, shoot, shoot; part 2

Right now in Northern California no one is shooting pictures. We’re experiencing a series of storms. I’m not complaining! My go-to-practice place, Dry Creek, has water past its shore line, and there are flood warnings in place for the rivers and other creeks.

Being stuck inside has its advantages, I’m catching up on a few things, completing this post and giving you exciting news.

For the exciting news: I’m being featured on, Australian photographer, Leanne Cole’s Blog, Introductions post this week. I’ve known Leanne since I started shooting and had the privilege of shooting with her when she visited the U.S. last September. She’s given me advice and watched my progress these 4 years. The post will appear in the States on Monday and Tuesday across the ocean. You can find the post at http://leannecolephotography.com/.

I’ve also submitted an article for the upcoming Dynamic Range digital photography magazine for women in the coming issue. This is a great magazine full of information and beautiful photography. And, you don’t have to be a woman to enjoy it. Check it out!

Now, back to this post’s continuation. Today I have pictures from Schweitzer Grove and McKinley Park. Schweitzer Grove is a 17-acre park tucked into suburbia, and McKinley park is known for its rose garden. Fortunately, there are people and other flowers at the park. Take a look while I continue to catch up on things.

People are sometimes more interesting than the flowers at McKinley Park.

This volunteer was tending to the area she planted.

Looks like love to me.

The flowers were simply beautiful.

Most of these are on trees.

Buds are ready to blossom.

Close look at the Bird of Paradise.

Looking at the whole flower.

The last flower from McKinley Park.

A small bit of color in Schweitzer Grove.

Remember the redwood tree burls, this tree has one also.

This Lazuli Bunting was posing! Yes, I have a bird book!

I’m not sure if blossoms will bloom from this or if this is the flower??

Acorns in the pine tree.

The grounds.

Wildflowers were everywhere.

Posted on January 18, 2016January 18, 2016 by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

Rain, and I’m liking it: Tower Theater, Sacramento

What do photographers do when it’s raining or rain is unpredictable? Some go out in the rain anyway, some do studio work, some go through old images and edit or re-edit them, and then others run out when the weather breaks for however long.

I’m one of those who run out during rain breaks. Today would have been the perfect day to do that, but unfortunately my scheduled did not permit it. However, I am wanting to try shooting in the rain after seeing many rain shots in the Sacramento Photographers Facebook group. We’ll see. Apparently, the rain is here to stay for a while.

With this post, I’m wrapping up our visit to the Tower Theater. When we moved to the Sacramento area in 2001, we heard about the theater, but never made it down to visit it. Opening in 1938 as a single screen theater, the Tower was converted to a triplex in 1972. Tower Cut-Rate Drugs, a drugstore named after its next door neighbor, opened and starting selling records in 1941 and was the beginning of Tower Records. It eventually moved across the street.

By the 1980s, Tower Records sold records, books and videos. succumbed to the digital age and closed in 2006. I remember the news coverage showing devoted fans mourning their loss at the record store’s closing.

Now Dimple Records is in that same place, the Tower Cafe, which opened in 1990, feeds movie goers and the Tower Theater stands above the tree line with it’s art-deco design.

Maybe during the next rain break, Marlene and I will go down to take more photos of the theater and enjoy lunch at the cafe; but, only if the weather permits during the week so we can avoid crowds at the cafe.

In an overcast sky, the neon sign has a glow to it.

The iconic theater stands tall.

Another view.

Walking into the complex, is a nice area where theater goers and diners can wait.

This fountain is in the courtyard.

The landscaping is beautiful.

Looking up at the tower.

The theater’s entry.

Heaters warm patrons eating outside.

Another theater view.

The shadow of palms fall on the theater’s side wall.

Murals decorate the outside walls of Dimple’s Records.

More murals.

They advertise types of music sold.

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Anne Sandler

Sunday is funday: Roaming Sacramento City

Photography is definitely a stress reducer. That’s what brought Marlene and I out on a Sunday morning. Concentrating on shooting takes your mind off various stressors and allows a couple of buddies to talk it out.

Fortunately, Marlene knows Sacramento City because I took the wrong freeway and truly didn’t know where we were when I exited. All I knew was that this wasn’t where we were headed! We decided to just drive and find neat things to shoot. We eventually found our way to the iconic Tower Theater, out last stop for the day. I’m saving that for another post because I want to focus on it.

This Sunday morning was fun, sometimes challenging because of harsh lighting or total clouds, but fun. I think for both of us, photography is an escape. Whether for just a couple of hours or a full day, it takes us away, gets us concentrating on the process of shooting, and challenges our minds. It’s also taught me what wonderful places we have right here.

Yes, this past Sunday was funday.

Confession: I thought this was a water tower, but I can’t find it on the internet. It’s located close to the fire department.

The Libby, McNeil and Libby Fruit and Vegetable Cannery was a cannery operated in Sacramento, California by Libby, McNeil, and Libby. The building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A different slant on the can!

A building across from the Cannery.

Puddle shooting.

More puddle shooting captured this neat truck.

Another view.

This is the McClatchy Library. Located in the middle of a residential area, it may have been a large home at one point.

Book return boxes are located along side of the driveway.

The library’s back yard.

Shot from the library driveway.

Red doors just get my attention.

So do bright yellow chairs and pumpkins!

We had lunch at Jamba Juice before walking over to the Tower Theater.

Posted on January 7, 2016January 7, 2016 by Anne Sandler · 4 Comments

A new look for the New Year: Discovery Park

I’ve reached a plateau. After a year of taking a picture each day, I believe my photography has reached another level of competency. To celebrate, I wanted a new look for my blog–something clean and crisp that would show off my images. So here it is.

Of course nothing is perfect! Wouldn’t it be nice if it were? The one and only thing I don’t like about this template is that you have to scroll down to the bottom to get to the archived posts. And, as my photography level has grown, my technical capabilities have not. What does CSS mean anyway! I mean, it isn’t going to change. So, I hope you don’t mind scrolling down. Let me know what you think.

Now on to Discovery Park in Sacramento. Lately we’ve been concentrating on short, local outings. It’s amazing what photographic opportunities Sacramento City and County have to offer. This park is at the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers, is 302 acres, and is the beginning of a 32-mile bike trail that runs along the river. We were there about 3:30 and the park was still hosting runners, bicyclists and boating enthusiasts.

I had never walked on the I-Street Bridge that links West Sacramento (which is in Yolo County) to Sacramento. There we found homeless returning to their camp and workers returning to their homes on either side of the river.

It was a beautiful evening and set the stage for a New Year and this new look.

The sun is beginning to set on the American River.

A rugged path leads down to the river.

A boat is coming around the bend.

Grassy picnic areas are along the river.

Two bicyclists are resting at a picnic table.

Another river view.

On the I-Street bridge.

The setting sun gives the structure dimension.

And, sets shadows across the road.

On the bridge’s other side there are more picnic areas.

On the way back across the bridge, I spotted this lone lock.

The only graffiti we saw.

Homeless returning to camp.

A woman continues her run across the bridge.

Posted on November 29, 2015 by Anne Sandler

It’s for the birds: Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area, West Sacramento

Confession, I’m not a birder; but my friend Laura is. While I’m looking for the big picture, Laura is looking for smaller things–birds! We celebrated her birthday recently by going to the Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area or affectionately known locally as the Yolo Bypass.

This wildlife area is a 3,700 acre wetland restoration project and is located within the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area in Yolo County, California. The restoration was named for Congressman Vic Fazio, who was instrumental in appropriating funds for the initial construction. The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area was dedicated in 1997 by then President Bill Clinton. The facility is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Educational programs and public tours are administered by the Yolo Basin Foundation.

There are two parts to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, both dedicated to watching and shooting–one with a camera and the other, with a gun. We stayed on the auto tour route and away from the hunters. With Linda in the back seat and Laura and I in the front (She was driving.) we made our way around the wetlands that had very little water, but enough to attract some birds.

Laura, of course, was our spotter. She’s amazing and the reason I bought my very own bird book. I’m learning slowly and can name some; but I sometimes fall back on saying, “There’s a white thing!” Okay, I fall back on it a lot.

Well, I did say I wasn’t a birder! Next post will feature the second half of our birthday photography outing.

We arrived a little late, but did get some of the golden hour.

Birds and a Great Egret are feeding.

In this view you can see a working farm.

Fly away.

A Great Egret is front and center, and a couple of ring-billed gulls are in the background.

I wasn’t able to ID the main bird in this picture.

The remaining pictures are of the Great Blue Heron.

Getting up close.

Walking and squawking.

Definitely looking for something to eat.

I wonder what he’s squawking at.

Can you stretch a little more?

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

Sacramento has bars…along the American River: Negro Bar, American River

Okay, that was a sneaky way to get you to read this blog, but it’s true. Recently Marlene and I went to Negro Bar another popular spot along the American River.

This bar was quite different from Sailor Bar. You couldn’t walk along the shore line, but it had a small beach and a boat launch. Most noticed were the absence of birds. We knew our sunset would be wimpy and there would be no birds to dress it up.

And, there was much more activity at Negro Bar. Kayaks, paddle boards and small fishing boats came and went while we were waiting for the sun to set. I’m still trying to capture distance with an 18 – 140 mm lens. I think now that I’m more sure footed, I might go back to carrying two cameras so I could put a longer lens on my D3100. Also different was my using my new monopod and wearing tennis shoes. Both worked out fine!

I’m also feeling a shift in my photography. I’m seeing the picture better before I shoot. This could also be stated as, I’m seeing the possibilities and taking the opportunity to finish it in Lightroom. My framing and composition is also getting better.

I still have a way to go in processing. Working only with Lightroom is limiting, and once I learn Photoshop and other programs, I’ll be able to see more opportunities. I’m looking forward to doing that next year.

In the meantime, take a look at the second bar I’ve visited…along the American River!

The golden hour adds a beautiful color to everything.

Even a goose.

Looking out from the beach area.

The stairs up to the parking lot.

A paddle board ready for its rider.

The rider paddles out into the river.

A guy in a kayak is nearby, having just launched.

The paddle board is like a surf board. I’m sure his feet are cold.

A bridge eye’s view. Two in one.

A couple is coming back into the dock.

This woman came in on the blue kayak. I’m not sure who owns the yellow one.

I liked the way the bark is just falling off this log. Some logs had already lost their bark.

We walked away from the shore and along the path.

Two fishermen talking.

Here’s the paddle boarder again.

The setting sun. This was as spectacular as it got.

I wanted to capture just the sunset’s reflection.

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Anne Sandler · 5 Comments

An unexpected gift: Sailor Bar, American River, Sacramento

Sometimes you just have to ask. Let me explain. Greg, Linda and I were at Sailor Bar, a popular boat launch area on the American River in Sacramento County. We arrived late afternoon to shoot and catch the sunset. Greg, who enjoys meeting and talking with people, was talking with a man who offered Greg a free monopod. Not liking monopods, Greg graciously declined.

I thought, “That’s what I get for not being outgoing and striking up conversations!” They talked some more and again the question about the monopod came up. I then decided to act upon my need for one.

I walked over and said to the gentleman, “Did I hear you offer a free monopod? I could use one.” The guy was happy to go back to his house and bring it back to me. All it needed was a ball head and it was a Manfrotto. Great, I have a Manfrotto ball head on my extra tripod. This monopod, without ball head, is worth $200. What a gift! The sunset wasn’t much, but getting that monopod was something, and all I had to do was ask!

The river scene from the boat ramp.

From one pond to another: William B. Pond

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!

untitled-0393 — 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!

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Anne Sandler

Beauty is close by: McKinley Park, Sacramento

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.