My Family Christmas card 2015

The past few years I've been making X-mas cards from photos I took of family while on home visits.  I like using the card making software at Walgreens, online.  Then I just pick them up the next day at the local Walgreen's.  This one has my 5 grandkids ( Samantha, Mariah, Jordan, Ryan, Austin)  my daughter Lisa and her new husband Markus, my daughter Julie and I, and my 91 yr old Dad, John at the top.

S.B. Wharf Xmas tree 2015

Photographing Santa Barbara Wharf Xmas tree is my yearly tradition. I was up by 6am to get down to the wharf and catch the beautiful early morning light. I wanted to get there earlier to catch some of the sunrise but it was so cold..and dark earlier, couldn't get going.  Maybe another day catch the sunrise. It's been in the low 40's overnight and low 60's daytime here this week. I prefer our usual 70's in December here.  I have no problem getting in the Xmas spirit with warm weather lol.

 Here's some shots I came up with.  I like the color but I think I like the simple B&W shots enhanced with Photomatics and Nik software better.

S.B. Harbour with Trina

It was nice to visit with my friend Trina at the Harbour.  We are both so busy, so we appreciate it when we can touch base in such a beautiful relaxing setting. Had lunch (fish tacos) at Brophy's Alleyway spot and then nice walk down the break wall.

Trina:

Views at the Harbour:

 

  

Happy Holidays!

Coal Oil Point Reserve, Devereux Slough, Goleta CA

Scott and I went on a 2mi docent lead hike around the "slough" recently. Gorgeous day, blues skies, temp. in the 70's.
 The water is down because of the drought but the center, deeper water remains and birds abound around the water..

From the Coal Oil Point Reserve web page:

"In the heart of the reserve, Devereux Slough is a seasonally flooded tidal lagoon that dries out in the summer to form salt flats and hypersaline ponds and channels. A variety of intertidal habitats occur along the sandy beach and the large rocky reef at the point. Thousands of migratory birds visit throughout the year. Coal Oil Point Reserve is part of Audubon's designated Goleta Coast Important Bird Area (IBA). "

The beautiful mountains reflected in the pond..doubly beautiful!:

Lots of Great Egrets around the water:

Black crowned Night Heron:

The beach side of the Preserve. The endangered Snowy Plover is protected here:

Evening at SB Harbour (night of full moon)

There was a lot of hype last week about the special Blood moon, total Eclipse of the moon, etc this month.  I was 'ready', down at the harbor with my tripod and all my gear early at 6:30.  It was disappointing not getting the 1st part of the moonrise because of the low clouds but the gorgeous red sunset almost made up for it.  It's beautiful at our harbor any time of day, actually.

Here's all I got of the moon, when it finally showed behind the clouds:

Earlier in the evening:

I like the way the light from under the pier cast light on the water closest to me:

Looking toward the mountains:

 

The 'Finale':

Jeff Shelton (architect) home/office bldg Open house

I'm a big fan of the designs of SB architect Jeff Shelton. I jumped at the chance to tour his new building on garden Street: "El Jardin".  It was in his whimsical style, using local craftspeople to embellish his designs. Interesting suspended iron balconies with built-in vase holders, natural wooden counters, beautiful ceramic tiles, and handcrafted kitchen table were noteworthy.

Jeff Shelton, on one of his iron balconies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walter trout Blues concert in Ventura

I've been listening to Walter Trout on Pandora for about a year, so it was pretty cool to see his act in person at the CA Beer Festival last weekend in Ventura.  I had great position 10 feet away from the band, on the side.   We listened to the other 4-5 bands under a huge fig tree in the shade. It was a warm day but cool ocean breezes gave relief. He asked Alstaire Green from Santa Barbara to jam with him at the end:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goleta pier with Peggy

Goleta Pier pretty at sunset. It's a small town about 10 miles NW of SB. Enjoy relaxing there with my buddy Peggy.

 

 

 

 

Senior Helper Staff

I've been working at Senior Helper as RN/Caregiver the past 4 years. It's been good to me..the staff  are great!  Here's a pic I took at the last staff meeting,
Mike (SH owner), Cece, Shannon, Liah, Linda:

Beautiful sky in Santa Barbara today 9/16/15

Beautiful sky in Santa Barbara today!

At Stern's Wharf:

 

 

 

Viva La Fiesta, SB 2015!

We had the Fiesta celebration in August in Santa Barbara, celebrating the Spanish heritage in our area with weeklong Dances, Parades and Festivities. Here's some pics I took at the huge equestrian parade. It's one of the largest in the country with over 300 horses! Beautiful animals. I was able to get there early, park nearby and interact with the participants lining up in the park before the parade. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

 

 

I talked to them before the Parade. She was very proud to be in the Parade for the 1st time with her father and other family members. Sweet girl.

 

 

Young "Flower girls" strew flowers in the parade

 

 

 

Helene Schneider, mayor of Santa Barbara on one of the decorated carrages

 

 

Pretty spectators dressed for the ocation

 

 

 

Braided and be-ribboned mane

 

 

The Bull rider rode this Brahman bull quietly down the main street! Impressive!