The Last One

Here's the last shadow-picture you'll have to put up with in 2012! What a relief!

 

Outrigger Canoes

This morning Bob H and I wandered around Fort Baker. We stumbled across some outrigger canoes taking off. A very pretty sight! One of the boats bore the name "Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club". Nosy as usual, I later Googled the club and found that they go out every Sunday morning. I also found the club president's E-mail address and sent her a couple of pix. And here's one of them.

 

Here She Is!

Here, as promised, is my other granddaughter, Danika 13, on a holiday visit from Lancaster, PA. She is not only pretty, but also lotsa fun!

 

Lunchtime

This from a trip to Cuba several years ago. One of my very favorite countries to visit.

 

Elli Creek

Once again, today at Ellis Creek in Petaluma, I was astounded at how birds of different species can get into close proximity without paying any attention to each other. Here the meeting of a Canada Goose (disliked by some because of their large numbers) and a Mute Swan (disliked by some because it's not a "native"). I like them all!

 

Early Picasso??

Did I find an early Picasso in my apartment, or am I cracking up?

 

Anyway, I saw what I thought was a nice composition, and took a picture!

 

White-tailed Kite

Yesterday morning, at the Ponds, we saw four of the Dancing Girls, two Coyotes, a few Coots, Mallards, and some Black-crowned Night-Herons. I took a few pictures but wasn't really thrilled. Until we got back to the parking lot, that is. It was there, above us, that we spotted a White-tailed Kite doing his/her routine! Fluttering its wings, seemingly hanging in the air, an inspiring performance, really reminding of a kite! In quick succession I snapped a dozen pictures. Attached is my favorite.

 

Lucy's Santa

Lucy is Janet's six-year-old granddaughter. She created the Santa from scratch, drawing the pattern, cutting the fabric, stuffing and sewing the figure. The sewing she did on Janet's sewing machine! Then she added cap, eyes, beard, buttons and belt. The correct reaction is "WOW"! Lucy is a real talent.

 

Them Were The Days!

A cold and rainy day has convinced me to stay indoors. Where I am looking at photo albums and reminiscing! The attached photo goes back many years, to one of my trips to Vienna. I am standing in front of a PALMERS Hosiery poster. PALMERS was founded in 1914 and is still going strong. Of course the main purpose of the picture was to show off my DIPSEA T-shirt.

 

Clever Advertising

This morning I saw a penny lying in the street. Being a little old-fashioned, I bent down and picked it up. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that it was a clever advertisement for Steven Spielberg's new film, starring Daniel Day-Lewis. What will they think up next?

 

Kelp Kouple

Here is one of my creations. I'm very fond of dried kelp. It really lends itself well to creative expression.

 

Sparrow

Surprisingly few shorebirds at the Ponds these days. It's kinda disappointing after several really good years. Anyway, here's the best I could do this morning. A very cute Sparrow. I tried to identify the little guy/gal, but there are so many lookalikes that I had to give up.

 

Jingletown Again

Here's one of those very rare pictures of yours truly. This one taken by Jacqueline Z.

 

Pine Cone Diner

The Pine Cone Diner is one of my favorite spots in Point Reyes Station. It's a no-nonsense place. Cash only! But what really tickles me is the sign over the little table. If it's too small on my picture, here's what it says ~

 

IF YOU CHOOSE TO SIT AT THIS TABLE,

YOU HAVE TO STAY AT THIS TABLE

YES, WE KNOW IT IS SMALL.

THAT'S IT.

THANK YOU.

THE MANAGEMENT

OF THE PINE CONE DINER

 

Now ain't that great!

The other sign is about conserving water.

 

It's Not My Fish!

My granddaughter, Kelso, has temporarily parked her goldfish "Fishy" with me. I have renamed her/him "Cleo", after Gepetto's goldfish in Disney's 1940 film "Pinocchio". Basically I do not approve of caged animals, but what am I to do? I wonder whether Cleo can learn some tricks? Maybe a smile!We'll just have to see.

 

Crows

Crows in the Point Reyes visitor center parking lot.

 

Townsend's Warbler

This morning Bob T and I hiked around the Earthquake Trail in Point Reyes. It was cold and dreary and Siri (my iPhone girlfriend) predicted rain. We were beginning to think that we would go home empty-cameradedly (new word), when we saw something move in the bushes. It was three little yellow birds, happily hopping around. I took a couple of dozen pictures, keeping my fingers crossed. Attached is the best of the lot.

 

Chipmunk

Going through my files I ran across this picture of a Chipmunk. Unfortunately I have nor idea when, or where, I took it. But it sure is purty!

 

Monday Morning

You know it's Monday morning at the LGVSD Ponds because that's when the Dancing Girls (so labeled by your's truly) make their appearance. They are led by Diane Elliott, their no-nonsense coach!

 

El Cid

Statue of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, known as El Cid Campeador (the lord-master of military arts), by sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington (1876 - 1973). The statue is located to your right as you approach the Palace of the Legion of Honor museum in San Francisco. Facing it, on the left, is a statue of Joan of Arc, also on horseback and also by Huntington.

 

I took the picture on a very foggy morning, a couple of weeks ago. Note the three crows on the flagpole.

 

Oakland Horse

For years I have wanted to take a picture of this horse, but it was never the right time. Until last Friday when the opportunity finally presented itself. Thanx to Jacqueline!

 

Hula Hoop

Here is Jacqueline, my friend and savvy East Bay guide, with her trusty Hula-hoop. Jacqueline says that the Hula-hoop has health benefits for her. On the basis of personal observation, I cannot but agree with her.

 

Of course I ambled to Wikipedia, to find that Hula-hoops were used for medical purposes in Greece, as early as the 5th Century. The name Hula-hoop stems from the similarity to the Hawaiian hula movement of the hips. In a two year period in the 1950's 100 million units were sold. Hula-hoops are still enjoying some popularity today.

 

Jingletown #2

Another Jingletown mosaic. Don't miss the dog chasing the cat!

 

Jingletown

This morning, my friend Jacqueline Z introduced me to Jingletown, in Oakland's Fruitvale area. The name Jingletown originated with the Portuguese cannery workers, proudly "jingling" coins in their pockets as they walked home on payday. Today many artists live in the area. It is also the home of the Institute of Mosaic Art, and many mosaics are displayed on buildings sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. My picture shows one of these works of art.

 

Roses

Yesterday Marti and I visited the "Royal Treasures from the Louvre" exhibit at the Palace of the Legion of Honor. Seeing items that Marie Antoinette had touched was exciting. Beyond that, the items on display did not turn me on. (Great craftsmanship, though).

 

We lingered in the gift shop. Again, I was not thrilled. Until - until - I spied the roses and their reflection in the mirror. I used my iphone camera, which I am appreciating more and more.

 

More Rock Sculpture

Another work of art. The rock given to me by my granddaughter Kelso. She found it in Big Sur.

 

Here's Bob H in front of some graffiti on the water tower. I don't know what the graffiti means, but I thought that Bob, in his colorful outfit, fit (3 fits?) right in.

 

Sculpture

Here is my latest rock-sculpture. It weighs 8 lbs 12-1/2 ozs. Now all I need to do is find an appropriate spot to place it.

 

Turkey Vultures

Sometimes only a fine line separates a work of art from a piece of junk. I'll let you decide. I took today's picture of two Turkey Vultures drying off their wings, during a break in the middle of a downpour, from my, now famous, kitchen-window. The birds were really quite far away and I had to do a major zoom, followed by a major magnification.

 

These are not Rocks!

What at first looks like rocks, turn out to be a lotta birds. The few big ones are Long-billed Curlews, the crowd of smaller ones are Western Sandpipers. All seen on my trip to the Port of Oakland.

 

Razor Wire

I photographed this razor wire at the Port of Oakland. I often find barbed wire fences beautiful. If you ever find some idle time on your hands, Google barbed wire and/or razor wire. You will find some nasty stuff, such as the fences at concentration camps. But you will also find barbed wire art collections and art shows, as well as barbed wire design tattoos. Check out the history of barbed wire. It's even interesting to look at the multitude of barbed wire designs offered for sale. There's a whole world out there!

 

Driveby Shooting

Here's another house-painting picture I took in Oakland, while a passenger in a friend's car. It's truly amazing what you can do with today's cameras. Mine was a Nikon D90 with an 18-250mm Tamron lens.

 

Oakland

Shame on me! Oakland is just across the bridge, yet I've never seen these painted apartment houses. Until yesterday, that is.

 

The artwork must give the residents a real lift. Without it, the houses would look drab and uninspiring. A little paint can make a huge difference!

 

Hanjin

A very exciting morning! A friend took me to the Port of Oakland. First we went to see the Hanjin container crane. This Korean company is one of the world's top ten container carriers. My picture shows their gigantic container crane. The statistics are mind-boggling.

 

However, I have no plans of becoming a shipping-magnate. I'm merely a simple photographer, who was absolutely thrilled by some of the picture-opportunities he encountered. And the photo is just a composition, nothing else.

 

More Graffiti

More water tank graffiti.

 

KICK IT

Go out Sir Francis Drake Blvd in Fairfax and turn right on Glen Drive. This will take you to the trailhead of the Loma Alta Open Space Preserve. Hike up the trail and you will come to two huge water tanks covered with graffiti. Bob H and my destination this morning.

 

I know that there are people who are violently opposed to graffiti. I, on the other hand, love it if is well-done and does not deface property.

 

When we first saw the lettering shown on today's picture, we thought we were looking at hieroglyphics. A second look revealed the painting's true intent.

 

The Height of Laziness

One of the spectators at today's Quadruple Dipsea Footrace brought his two Golden Retrievers. I noticed that the girl-dog kept resting her head on the boy-dog's back. She followed him wherever he went, placing her head on his back as soon as he stopped!

 

When I mentioned this behavior to the dogs' owner, he answered, very matter-of-factly, that she always does that! What a chutzpah!

 

More Turkey

Here's another one from my Turkey trip. Three gentlemen smoking their water pipes in a nargile cafe in Istanbul. The pipe is also known as Hookah and also as hubble-bubble.

 

If you cannot resist, here's how to do it ~

Click here: How to setup a Water Pipe(Argileh/Hookah/Sheesha) - YouTube

 

Turkey

About twenty years ago a friend and I visited Turkey. We took our bicycles but the heat melted the asphalt and we had to switch to public transportation. The attached picture shows three young girls in front of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.

 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 45 million turkeys are slaughtered and cooked on Thanksgiving. As a confirmed vegetarian and animal lover the very thought sickens me!

 

McInnis Skateboard Park

I would never have had the guts to try this. I'm afraid I'm a wuss!

 

Outdoor Art

On our walk around the hills at McInnis Park, a couple of days ago, Bob H and I noticed this slab of concrete. I don't know what its original purpose was, but somebody decided to embellish it. To me, the resulting work of art is worthy of being exhibited in a museum. Ya jes' never know whatcha gonna find!

 

Great Egret Photo #2,311

There's no such thing as too many Great Egret pictures!

 

What's Wrong Here?

This morning (Sunday) the weather forecast called for rain. Instead the sun came out and it was a lovely morning. And here we have a beautiful scene. A couple out for a walk with their pooch, Mount Tamalpais in the background.

 

And then I discovered the flaw. A mood destroyed! A scene ruined! A picture kaput! The lady is on the phone! Mother Nature should forbid cell phones!

 

A Bit Of History

Today the Romberg Tiburon Center serves as the S. F. State's Marine Research Facility. The Center has a very colored history. Starting with a cattle ranch, probably around 1850, it went to a fish processing plant, then a coaling station, later to a nautical training school. During WWII it served as a Navy Net Depot, where huge steel anti-submarine nets were built. One seven-mile version was laid across the entrance to the San Francisco Bay.

 

My picture shows, what I believe are, rusted pilings from a wharf built by the navy at the turn of the last century.

 

Graffiti

I wonder what the author of this two-liner had in mind when she/he penned this message (if anything)?

 

Greater Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs (I think). Yesterday, near the Village at Corte Madera. This bird was standing on one leg, but I believe that's all he/she had. I observed him/her in flight.

 

Taraxacum

"Common Dandelion" is a huge misnomer. In fact, the seed head of the Dandelion, consisting of dozens of little seed-carrying parachutes, is one of nature's miracles. The intricate design of these seed-heads never ceases to thrill me. Children, and some adults (like me) love to blow on them and watch the wind carry them far away.

 

I assume that you know, that "dandelion" stems from the French "dent-de-lion", meaning "lion's tooth".

 

Dogpark

Initially my camera refused to switch from birds to dogs. But finally, after some coaxing and promises of a speedy return to my primary mission, it finally condescended to take the attached picture.

 

So here is Janet's new pooch, a Lhasa-Ospo-Terrier mix, chasing around with a Pointer at the Mill Valley Dogpark a few days ago.

 

Great Egret

Great Egret taking off. This morning at the Ponds.

 

Sunday Morning

This morning Bob H and I went for a walk along the Gallinas Creek in San Rafael. Canoes passed us against a Mount Tamalpais background. The scene reminded me of an old print. Trying to imitate that print I resorted to black-and-white.