Waterfalls – Slow Shutter Speed

Posted on April 19, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 55 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #345: My Go To Places

John wants to know where I go to relax and rejuvenate. At first I didn’t know since I don’t have a designated place that calms me down. I gave it a lot of thought while I was editing photos, and then it came to me. My go to place is anywhere my camera takes me!

Yes, I can be upset, not feeling well, tired, etc.; but when I’m holding my camera, I have energy, I’m happy and not weary. The upsetting world drifts away, and I’m absorbed in a sunflower field, beautiful countryside, rivers, wildlife, buildings or anything that attracts my photographic eye.

At least one photo outing gets me through the week. Thank you John for helping me realize how important this photo hobby is to my physical and mental being. It’s definitely good for my soul. When you post your response, please link to John’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

What a week this amazing photo community gave me in your responses to “abandoned.” They were varied, heart felt and amazing. Thank you everyone. Sophia is presenting next week’s challenge, so be sure to look for her post a week from now. Until then, stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on April 1, 2024 by Anne Sandler · 49 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #293: Water in Motion

Oh boy, water is everywhere this winter. Rain storms have added water to our area’s rivers, lakes and creeks here in Sacramento. It’s also added mega snow levels in our mountain areas. Sofia’s challenge this week is to show moving water. Let’s get started.

Lakes. While some of our large lakes are in constant motion, they don’t photograph that way. You can tell by the gentle ripples and swirls in the water.

Donner Lake, Truckee, CA; Two-Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, MT; Folsom Lake, Folsom CA

River. While we have two major rivers flowing through Sacramento County, I’m featuring the American River. It’s known for river rafting, boating, fishing and swimming. The image on the left features the iconic Rainbow Bridge in Folsom. The ripples are delicate enough to reflect the rocks and bridge. This beach is near another well-known bridge, the Fair Oaks Bridge. The American river has many swim areas.

Ocean. I don’t get to the Pacific Ocean often. It’s about a 2 1/2-hour drive, but when I do, I enjoy it. These pictures are from Pacific Grove with waves gently breaking on the shore; Pacifica which is further north and the waves break more violently, causing a major splash on this young man. Back south, we come to the Monterey shoreline, catching the ocean at sunset. The sun’s glow is beautifully reflected in the water.

Fountains. I enjoy catching water in stop-action. Fountains are great for this and so are water spouts. Here are three.

I’ll close with some miscellaneous water fun, waterfalls and drops.

Today the sun is shining and will continue for a couple of days. Then, we are getting more rain! I’d better get out and enjoy the sunshine while I can. If you haven’t posted yet, be sure to link to Sofia’s original post and use the Lens-Artist tag.

Pictures of people from all over the world appeared in my mail box last week, and I totally enjoyed seeing them all. Next week John will be presenting the challenge so be sure to look for his post. Until then, take care.

Posted on May 26, 2019 by Anne Sandler · 4 Comments

Still in April! Table Mountain, Butte County

Wow, do I have to catch up with posting my photographic adventures! Here’s the last post for April and we’re ending May. I’ll try to post more frequently until I’m current.

In April we all go in search of wild flowers to photograph. I was sick from February through April with a cold that wouldn’t quit so I got out late to North Table Mountain and its beautiful wildflowers. Located in Butte County near Oroville, Table mountain consists of two flat mountain areas, North and South. The wild flowers grow on top of volcanic material which makes walking a challenge for some of us. There a numerous waterfalls, but our hike included some of the smaller ones.

After leaving Table Mountain, we stopped by the old Oregon City covered bridge. Photos are included in the gallery.

I accompanied Laura on this outing. I can’t say I was especially excited with what I saw and captured. This was my second trip to Table Mountain with about 3 years in between. Maybe my memory made things sweeter, maybe I wasn’t feeling totally well, or we got out there late in the wildflower life cycle. But, I got what I got and reviewing the images for this post, they aren’t that bad!

So here’s North Table Mountain.

Posted on December 28, 2018 by Anne Sandler

Just a little rest: Kauai, Day 2

It’s not easy to fly to your destination any more. You need to change planes, pull your carry on luggage through the airport and spend time in between flights. By the time you get to your destination, you’ve had it. So our plan of photographing some of the sites the day we arrived in Kauai didn’t happen.

To make up for it, we went from one end of the island to the other the next day. You’ve seen the pictures in my previous post. So we needed an easy going day. Add to that my and Marlene’s injuries, we were ready to not rush the morning. So, my two terrific guides suggested we visit the East shore and photograph Opaeka’s Falls, go on the Jungle Hike (Which was so muddy that we could only go part way before we were slipping.) and view Wailua Falls.

Marlene and Laura brought guide books and studied them. I basically brought myself! Now you know why they were the guides, and they did an outstanding job. It was a nice short day!

Take a look.

I’m using the new WordPress editor and think I should have added captions before I inserted the pictures! The sequence goes: Opaeka’a Falls, river across from it, goat wondering why we were on the Jungle Hike, strange tree and path on the hike, various flowers, ocean, handsome rooster (plenty of them on Kauai) and Wailua Falls.