In Search of Fall Colors ~ The Eastern Sierras

The Eastern Sierra's are known for their rugged peaks, clear water, storm clouds and intense fall colors. The trick is to find them all at the same place at the same time, and not also discover the wind. This second attempt to second guess nature by looking at a calendar and map and set off in high hopes of finding that color I see in other peoples images. Last year we found green, wind and just beat the snow on our way over Tioga Pass.

On the last day, at the last lake on this trip; there was a gentlemen who at the age of 94 still pulled on his wadders and headed out to his favorite spot to enjoy the best tripod holes and hope for the best image yet.

I can see now why people return year after year, hopping for a better sky, brighter color, still water and a better angle for the light.

Next Year!

For more images click here

Viva La Fiesta!

Viva La Fiesta

August in Santa Barbara is Old Spanish Days

Dancing on the steps of the courthouse, an equestrian parade on Friday, Children's Parade on Saturday and food mercados scattered around town.

And a few colorful eggs filled with confetti just waiting to be cracked over an unsuspecting head.......

Scott Kelby's World Wide Photo Walk 2009

July 18th was the second annual Scott Kelby World Wide Photo Day.

I had a small but fun group meet and we enjoyed the Stow House and Rancho La Patera Grounds and the Goleta Depot.

We had a good time!

My Photos

Old Fashioned 4th of July at the Stow House

Stow House for the Old Fashioned 4th of July is always a fun event. They usually have a steam up of some of the old farm machinery. Freshly painted tactors, vintage cars, people dressed to fit the period and music.


Across the street from the restored Goleta Depot building are a few of the lemon groves, much of the events have some historical root in the lemon growing industry.....and of course a lot of lemonade is served.


At the end of the day, I opted for the easy view of the fireworks, from the balcony of an apartment that I was showing.

More Photos Here

As the Months Fly by: May 2009

May brought more painting....a lot more painting.

But as the end of the month approached a trip away from the ladder was needed

Lone Pine had some wonderful clouds and great company.

The Auto Club of Southern California Byway's Magazine featured a photo of Mono Lake on the cover. Not exactly what you want to see for a holiday weekend when your planning on going to Mono Lake, but...what could we do but try and find a place to squeeze in and fit our tripods.

It was shoulder to should, with a few people that did not seem to notice the cameras or the rules about climbing the Tofas...........

More Photos:

Lone Pine

Mono Lake

Bodie

As the Months Fly by: April 2009

I always look forward to rain when the hills are green for a bit. This year the rainy season was short and the heat

came early. So much for a long wildflower season.

I filled my little patio planter with a few natives, but even those did not do well this year.

My mom decided that she had waited long enough to have the sun porch walls repaired, so she called the contractor neighbor over to do the exterior. While his scaffold was up, she called to ask if "I thought she should climb up on it and prime that end of the house".....Of course the answer was NO! And thus the spring of chasing wildflowers because the incredible house painting Odyssey