Posted on by Anne Sandler · 31 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #418: Memories

Memories, yes, I have lots of them. This week, Tina encourages us to share some memorable moments. But my photographic memories don’t start until 2013 when I got my first camera. I got it just in time to record our cross country road trip. Here is the trailer we lived in for 3 months and the truck that pulled it for 16,000 miles.

Visiting our relatives was an important part of the trip, especially given our ages. Pictured is me and my cousin Irene who lives in Long Island, NY.

Getting further into my new hobby, I joined a photography group, mostly to learn. I did ask a lot of questions. Fortunately, photographers are patient and enjoy sharing information. One of the most memorable outings was photographing light trails. This was taken on the walkway next to the I-5 freeway.

Photographing the Milky Way the first time was another memorable night. This was taken at Blue Canyon where my husband’s observatory is.

I quickly learned to seize the opportunity while we were camped in the foothills. I was walking our dog when I saw this sun rise in the mist. Fortunately, I had my camera with me. After that experience, I always take my camera when went on a walk.

I’m so glad to have captured the lotus while they planted them in the pond at Land Park in Sacramento. They have since stopped this yearly attraction.

I’ve written about my yearly April visits to the nesting tree in Lincoln, Calif. There are so many egrets and herons building nests that my only challenge was the length of my lens: 300 mm. The tree was across a gully and nestled between two shopping centers. This egret is bringing back a twig for its mate that was guarding the nest.

Finally, a favorite from my visit to the Santa Cruz Arboretum.

I’m so happy to have these photographic memories. But memories are made every day. What does the future hold for me. We will see!

Thanks Tina for taking me down my own memory lane. When you respond to her post, remember to link to her original post and use the lens artists tag. We were certainly led down many roads last week. Thanks Egidio, for that creative challenge. John will be leading next week’s challenge, so be sure to look for his post. In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 25 Comments

I almost forgot: Pigeon Point Light House

Between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay is the Pigeon Point Light House.

Although we couldn’t get close because of renovations and repairs, here’s a brief history taken from its website.

The 115-foot Pigeon Point Lighthouse, one of the tallest lighthouses in America, has been guiding mariners since 1872. Its five-wick lard oil lamp, and first-order Fresnel lens, comprised of 1,008 prisms, was first lit at sunset, November 15, 1872. The lens stands 16 feet tall, 6 feet in diameter, and weighs 2,000 pounds. Now on display in the fog signal building, it sat in a lantern room constructed at the Lighthouse Service’s general depot in New York before being shipped around the Horn. Although the original Fresnel lens is no longer in use, the lighthouse is still an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation using an automated LED beacon.

Aside from the lighthouse, the coast is beautiful. Wildflowers were blooming and a couple was enjoying the view.

Enjoy this short visit.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

Memories are made from this: Shooting with Leanne Cole on the California coast.

Memories, they’re those warm, wonderful, sad and fearful feelings that emerge when you think of something from the past. Shooting with Leanne Cole, an Australian photographer, is something I looked forward to, totally enjoyed and now is a fond, beautiful memory.

You see, I met Leanne online by following her blog when I first got my D3100 three years ago. During that time I’ve seen her morph her photography business into what it has become today. She’s an amazing photographer, artist and now publisher of Dynamic Range–a magazine about and for women photographers. We’ve corresponded since meeting on the blog with her giving me encouragement and advice. Hopefully I’ve been able to do the same for her–well more encouragement, not advice! It is truly a small world.

We, Leanne, her friend Nicci and I, had a delightful day in Santa Cruz, Capitola and Monterey. The three of us fit; it was as if we had gone shooting together before. In fact, Nicci and I hit it off and will go shooting again. I’ve added an Australia visit to my bucket list, and I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll get there.

In the meantime, I’ll have the memories of that fun day shooting with my new friends.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

Finally got my photo fix: Family Thanksgiving Weekend, Capitola Beach

Busy, that’s how I would describe Capitola Beach. Of course, the holiday weekend helped. The city was gracious to offer free two or three hour parking, but you had to go move your car. We were about a half hour late, but didn’t get tagged. This was my first time to this cute little beach town.

It catered to whatever you needed: surfing, just sitting on the beach, fishing, shopping and eating. My family opted for all except surfing. The grandkids enjoyed their beach time, their parents enjoyed relaxing, other family members enjoyed not catching fish, and the rest shopped. I had fun walking and shooting. My wonderful husband walked with me and patiently waited while I took pictures.

Here are some of the beach images. My next post will be on Monterey.