Had the pleasure to visit the home of Nancy Siegler in Cameron Park, CA.  She opened her vast sunflower gardens to benefit Breast Cancer this weekend.  She is spearheading the mission of having the sunflower adopted as the official Breast Cancer flower. Her garden is simply stunning with numerous varieties and glorious colors I never knew existed in sunflowers!  Can not imagine the work and joy she must put into cultivating every seed.

One of the things I really appreciate about photography is learning–learned a valuable lesson–check my images while on location.  Have never shot flowers with rich chocolate centers with bright blue sky–I now know–that I will meter differently next time.  PLUS, view images to check the meter.  See, two lessons learned–life is good!  Next time–better shots.  I have another learning curve coming up and will be enjoying the opportunities with Nikon’s CaptureNX2 and Photoshop Elements.  At this time–I do not alter images aside from cropping and adding DrMarm, at the computer–due to lack of knowledge–truth be told.  When viewing my photos and seeing how much detail I missed inspired me to at least install CaptureNX2–which has been on my desk for a few weeks.  Look for “improved” Sunflower shots in the future:) Tic Tac Toe will be my first work in progress.

The last two photos are not from her yard–but seemed subject appropriate to add here!

Just one of many areas full of delightful color!

The bees were abundant and obliged numerous shots… 

Rich colors and pollen attract one of many bees buzzing about

Chocolate colored

Standing Tall

Future flower in the works!

Bee friend

Happy group of flowers

Three in a row!

This flower is in my front yard–by no act of mine, aside from watering the trees.  Seed sprouted courtesy of the many squirrels and birds that visit the feeder and make a mess.  Got to strategically weed today and am expecting a few more sunflower plants–they will stay as well as a couple of wild flowers.  Nice surprise! 

Flower courtesy of the birds and squirrels that scatter seed everywhere!

This shot is from the CA State Fair Farm, my assignment was backlighting… 

Assignment for NYIP--backlighting

Sacramento is an area rich in water and river activities.  Two rivers converge in Sacramento–The American River and The Sacramento River.  The Tower Bridge is a landmark for many in this area.  One of the reasons is the stunning light display that begins as night falls.

Where there is a river and vehicle traffic, there must be bridges.  We have large boats that access our waterways and have draw bridge styles to accommodate these needs.  Sadly, I missed the shot of the boat going through…next time!

For a real appreciation of this bridge and the lights–add fireworks and you have spectacular color moments.  As luck would have it–just on the other side of this bridge lies the city of West Sacramento and a Minor League baseball team, the beloved River Cats.  During the summer months they dazzle their spectators with an after game show of fireworks.

Here are some of the images I caught.  The challenge with fireworks is that you are “shooting blind”…using a timed release–in bulb, have no clue what is being captured until the firework display is done!

These shots were taken with my Nikon D300s and Nikon 14-24mm lens.  An important aspect of course–is the mandatory use of a tripod for shots like this.  Loving my Manfrotto tripod:)

The only changes made to these images were cropping–no color enhancements. 

Enjoy!

Posted this on twitpic, so it may look familar!

Figured I’d begin sharing my most recent trip to San Francisco with the visit to Alcatraz Island.  If you are interested in viewing the cells and buildings–that will be in another post.  (Coming soon–not yet written!)  

Alcatraz Island is operated by the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.  There are other entities and if you’d like to know them, feel free to visit www.nps.gov/goga or www.nps.gov/alca  

Alcatraz is home to numerous gulls and my visit offered many views of baby Seagulls.  They are part of the largest western colonies of gulls in Northern California.  Few facts according to our guide:  

Seagulls mate for life and return to the same nesting area every year.  Adults are very protective of their young and both seem to be visible.  Here are a few shots of the new colony members.  

One parent on wall to left and one on ground just out of picture range

This tour was part of the garden tour which is not offered daily as it does take you into bird territory.  It was a pleasure to be so close to so many young birds.  

Parent near  by  

Step away from the wall!

Some young were not as timid  

Not quite sure of people...but not alarmed

As posted earlier on twitpic  

You are not my Mama

Just about everywhere you looked there were seagulls.  Seemed as though they are the centurions and guards of the history on the island.  

Able to watch every move on land and below

Garden Guards–another area also not open to the public  

Guarding the flowers...and their young below

Part of the colony visible and what a view they have of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge!  

Colony Location

Ironically, on this side of the island below the lighthouse seemed to be extremely windy–although the view was lovely.  As we were admiring the view we caught a few of the seagulls playing the wind.  Those drifting and floating on the wind gusts have their legs at a different angle than when in flight.  Wish I would have timed some of them–they seemed to be having a ball!  

Note 2 adults and babies on the ground

One seemed to hover over a portion of the garden  

Wheeeeee!

Their antics reminded me so much of the book, “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach published in 1970.  

There happened to be another type of bird with young on this island.  As we approached their nesting area we could see two Snowy Egrets above the hedges…  

No idea how many are in the bushes--but way more than the 2 pictured here.

The bushes were berries and I could hear this distinctive sound: “glug, glug, glug” sounded like someone with poor manners gulping their drink!  The Egrets were well hidden below the top of the hedges and even more camouflaged due to the foggy weather with white skies in the background.  Just a couple shots I could get… 

Very well hidden

Skies helped hide them even more

Wonder if this was the actual source of the gulping sound?  

Almost hidden

 I certainly wish I had a better vantage point–at the same time, am thankful I got to see (and hear) them beyond the bushes!  

As we passed the Egrets, there was one lone gull hanging on!  

Amazing how their feet can clutch a branch!

 The birds and flowers were the highlight of my trip to Alcatraz.  Would love to go again and go on a garden tour when the skies are blue!  Guess I will have to do my research and plan for next year.   Because of course, I’d like to glimpse the baby birds and adults with their young!  I do feel fortunate to be able to return with better weather.  Every shot in this blog was taken with my original Nikon DSLR, my D40x .  I decided to keep my 70-300mm lens on my lighter camera, as I can take pics free-handed and not have shake as I do with the D300s.

 A kind lady–took one look at me, and what a sight I was:  with 2 cameras around my neck, camera backpack on–tripod bag over shoulder and my wide-angle lens also over shoulder and said, “Are you a professional?”  I replied, “No–just someone who loves photography.”  For the record, I did actually use almost every lens I took with me–did use tripod.  Figure if I am bringing a back up camera–might as well use it instead of just carry it around.   My beloved D300s earned it’s keep with the garden tour and close-ups–that will be my next post–coming soon!  Priorities in order–birds, flowers, then cells!

Following the garden tour, we then entered into the cell area and went on the audio tour.  (That will be yet another post!!)

Reaching the top!

The Coit Tower was built with a bequest from Lillie Hitchcock Coit to honor the city she loved.  The views from the top of  Telegraph Hill vary from Lombard Street, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Treasure Island.  Visitors can take the tour and elevator to the top, or enjoy the famous murals and surroundings for no cost.  The murals were painted in 1934 and part of the Public Works of Art Project.  25 artists worked on the various murals showing life in the area.  

Local Lore

Views from the very small parking lot…  

Curves are well known

This picture alone made carrying my tripod up 378 steps and back down 397 worth it!  

Typical summer Bay Are weather…everywhere but in SF was sunny and beautiful.  Could not get a clear view of the Golden Gate Bridge.  

Fogged in Golden Gate Bridge

Towards the East Bay and Oakland side.  Treasure Island and the Bay Bridge.  

Treasure Island and Bay Bridge

Another view on the way back down…a Princess Cruise ship that will be sailing to Alaska, looks parked at the bottom of this hill!  

Is there a meter?

Steps and LOTS of them!  

One small flight

There were more gardens on the way down the Greenwich Steps.  These steps were steeper and much better to go down than up, that is for certain!  

Single Rose

Burnt orange color

Another view from steps of the Bay Bridge  

Sunny in the East Bay!

I could have taken much longer and really appreciated the views from the entire bay area–stunning and such a wonderful vantage point!  But–in a group, so off we went to the Fisherman’s Wharf.  Few views on the way there!  

Working Along

Another reason to lug along my tripod–end of the wharf a view of Alcatraz  

Closer View of Alcatraz

We caught the ferry back to Vallejo and once again, I was out in the blustery winds–hand holding my camera and snapping away!  

Bay Bridge leaving San Francisco

As luck would have it…the sun was trying to come out as we returned…  

Golden Gate Bridge--almost all of it!

Imagine this is a tour in the helicopter!  

Helicopter right hand top!

This really was a delightful trip and I learned even more about my skills.  

My favorite image of the day was the rose pictured above.  It was not taken with my beloved D300s, but my D40x.  I had both cameras out both up and down the stairs and changed lens at the top.  70-300mm and 18-50mm.  I really thought I would be blown away by my 300s–nope.  I was hand holding it in Aperture and Program.  I am now using Shutter to hand hold at a faster speed and am much happier with the results!  Do think where the 300s lived up to its ability was with Lombard Street–where I used a tripod.  The good news about learning curves–is that you do learn.  I AM trainable!  Off to SF this weekend with a new tripod and more knowledge.  We will be staying in Sausalito which is across from SF–with a view of the Golden Gate bridge and The City.  Will be visiting Alcatraz Island and other points.  Yes, there will be another SF blog!  Hopefully, we will all be able to see what I learned and more views from The City!

The first thing about this trip–it is 30 degrees cooler in SF, than Sacramento.  Believe it was Mark Twain that said, “The coldest winter I had, was summer in San Francisco.”  It can be beautiful and sunny on the East Bay, Oakland, North side–Marin and foggy along the bay in SF.  

We took the ferry from Vallejo.  Excellent deal–day pass $26–could ride ferry boats all over the bay for one low price.  Great views of Angel Island,  Alcatraz, Golden Gate bridge and Bay Bridge all in the short one hour jaunt across the bay.   The first 3 images were taken from the back of the moving ferry! 

Alcatraz

Closer view of Alcatraz

Sailing in the SF Bay

We went to the Ferry Building. (Pier 39 was the next stop.)  The architecture is really amazing!  

Details Everywhere!

One Long Building

There were many shops–lots of food items and a killer Farmer’s Market on Saturday.  (Sadly, we were there on a Sunday!)  

Just a couple shots…  

On the Half Shell

One shop sported “Tasty Salted Pig Parts”…the former vegetarian in me couldn’t go there!  

Ride Anyone?

From the Ferry Building…we walked across The Embarcadero…with views  

A Famous View

Tall and small…  

Can find beauty anywhere!

The purpose of our trip was to visit Coit Tower…I knew we’d be walking quite a ways…didn’t know there were 397 steps up and down! 

The stairs were in between  living spaces…flats, apartments, businesses–with no car access.  That means all groceries…suitcases…everything in by foot!  Can’t imagine getting a new refrigerator or sofa…hauled in!  What was most astonishing were the gardens–beautiful flowers everywhere I turned… 

Small spaces...

Some of the beauty

Reminds me of a fried egg!

Amazing flowers, everywhere you looked

We could see our destination, getting closer… 

To the top of the hill!

Pink Poppy

This was quite a large property

  

Part 2 will have a bit of Coit History…the views down from Coit and a brief stop at Fisherman’s Wharf!    

Yesterday was a real treat…just time to play and enjoy my camera.  Started off in Placerville, which has a rich history with the “California Gold Rush’.  Coloma, where gold was found is not far away.  There are shops on Main Street, but the street and town center around the famous Bell Tower. 

Bell Tower Monument

There are beautiful old buildings that still hold businesses today… 

Blue Skies & shops

From Placerville, I ventured about 15 minutes by car to check out some of the views… 

View Toward the Sierras

Having been to this location several times, I was astonished to find a lovely waterfall… 

New Waterfall in the Area

One of the most important parts of venturing out alone is scouting out your restrooms and on a hot day–where you can find some shade or air conditioning…Eastern View above taken from the 7th floor parking garage of Redhawk Casino.  The waterfall is from the valet entrance–no wonder I had never seen it before.  Not used valet, ever! 

For some real nature, headed to Folsom Lake, which has the highest water level in years!  Lots of dry brush and Oak Trees surround this lake. 

Framed Lakeview

Another view… 

Folsom Lakeside

A few Canadian Geese and ducks were about.  I did not take the trails, so missed many bird opportunities…but here’s a friend swimming along… 

Enjoying the refreshing waters of Folsom Lake

A few flowers, I couldn’t resist! 

Rich Color with Bumble Bee

Bee in flower taken in Placerville and the following flowers at the Folsom Outlets… 

Colors at the Outlets

A day of joy and wonder!  Gotta love some time off to simply enjoy your camera and neighboring towns.

With summer here, there are many traditions that spring up, one of them is in Cesar Chavez Park–music on Friday evenings.   

Cesar E. Chavez Park Plaza

 I had the pleasure to visit and hear a local band, The Nickel Slots on June 11th.  Great music and atmosphere.  

Last Minute Details

The band is local and has 4 members:  Tony Brusca lead singer and acoustic guitar, Paul Zinn bassist and mandolin, brothers Amaral–Christopher on drums and Steve on electric guitar.  

The plaza is surrounded by great architecture…just a hint for your view  

Cesar Chavez Statue

Lead Singer, Tony Brusca

If you like country music, you will love their music.  Great style–country, pop, and rock.  (Remember, I am not music knowledgable!  Seemed like that to my ears.)  

Bassist, Paul Zinn

Was not the only one present with a camera–bet his shots were much better detail…I chose to stay in the “Beer Garden Area” and would have to have crossed over the netting to get better shots. Content and happy with friends and my 70-300mm.  

Steve Amaral on Electric Guitar, Tony, and Paul

Not pictured–Chris on the drums…next time!  

Rocking and Singing--Steve and Tony

The evening was really great–other bands played before, diverse crowd–all walks of life, enjoying a common passion of music, food, and fun!  

For more information and a taste of their music, visit their website:  http://www.thenickelslotsmusic.com 

Also on You tube:  http://youtube.com/user/thenickelslots 

Available through itunes:  http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-nickel-slots/id337158634

Copy, cut, and paste links and you should be set! 

Thanks to The Nickel Slots for a fabulous kick-off to summer, look forward to seeing and hearing you again soon!

Have made numerous attempts to view the activity in the Black Phoebe nest outside my bedroom sliding glass door.  Lighting is harsh in the afternoon and awful for pictures.  Was able to view the 3 in the nest this week. 

Getting a bit crowded in here!

Friday evening I noticed the adults going back and forth between the nest and the Oak tree.  Then, they would sit on the deck railing calling and calling. Saturday morning I knew why… 

This fledgling made several attempts to return to the nest.  Whacked into the sliding glass door once…hovered above about 3 feet from nest and returned to the railing. 

Adult kept calling and trying to encourage fledgling to try again! 

Come on, you can do it, just try!

 A little hop here and there along the railing, but no more attempts to return to the nest. 

A bit of preening! 

I am NOT listening to you!

With youngsters…there can also be “back talk” when ignoring doesn’t work! 

Nope, Can't Do It!

Bribery didn’t work either! 

Yum!

Another attempt… 

How about this tasty snack?

Finally, there was success and the fledgling returned to the nest:) 

As I am writing this post, I am enjoying their lovely antics all over again.  Loud chirping from the nest, adults swooping in and out with food.  Lots of movement!  Then, adult sitting on railing and inviting them to come out.  One fledgling currently on railing…will keep you updated!

The “Pet Palooza” was held today in the rolling hills of Rusch Park.  All dogs were welcome, as long as they were on a leash.  Have never seen as many dogs in one place at one time. 

Yes, she had a hula skirt on too!

Some were dressed, as Gracie sported her Lei and skirt. 

Brave folks--have 2 Great Dane puppies!

This proud pup carried it’s toy around.  Can’t help but wonder what happened at the water dish… 

and you can't have it!

Some were just enjoying quality time with their humans… 

Life is Good!

This little one just got some love and snuggles. 

I am so lucky!

Of course there were opportunities for pups to show off their talents…including some reluctant jumpers. 

Nope, I am NOT going in!

This pup did go in after a few trial runs! 

Where is my toy?

I found it!

Calm Westies on a leash. 

Relaxed Terriers...for mine--oxymoron, not these!

If you are looking for a picture of my Cairn, Roxie…she was at home listening to country music with air conditioning.  I have found that I am too focused and can either enjoy Roxie on a leash or spend time with my Nikon…today the Nikon won.  Tomorrow, dog walk and attention for her!