Budda Image

Took this at "Sacred Space" in Summerland.  A magical place.

Recent I Phone Pics. Jan. 2016

Had fun playing with some of my phone pics the other day.  I was using Photomatics software for some of them and NIK software for some of the others.

Shot this of a girl sitting outside at restaurant on state street.  I noticed the blue green reflection in her glasses..the color so striking as I walked by. I told my BF, Scott, I need to go back and shoot her with my phone!  He thought I was crazy, lol.  Wish I had gotten her name and email to send her the pic.:

This was taken after the storm at Goleta beach:

Couple views of an agave plant:

Sepia toned double exposed Rainbow..looks like a spiritual experience to me:

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':