Tag Archives: morning light

Sea Glass, Flora and Fauna Photos

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I was surprised to get an email Tuesday that I needed to submit my Sea Glass Work In Progress for Thursday night’s photography class. After traveling to Northern California to help my kids, I hadn’t had a thought about photography in more than 10 days. Before I left town, I sent a few photos to my professor that I took with my Macro lens and asked him for suggestions. He pointed out that I needed to adjust a setting for “exposure compensation” to zero. It was set at -.7 and my photos were too dark.

So, Tuesday and Wednesday with my camera adjusted, I set out to take more sea glass photos. I also looked through my scanned images of kids and beach photos. Finally I settled on some and sent in my WIP. As I’m writing this, I haven’t had my Thursday night class yet, so I’m not sure what my feedback from the professor and students will be. It’s more than a little nerve wracking.

Here are photos I’ve taken this week since coming home:

Bougainvillea blossom from a new plant. The last plant was eaten at the roots by a raccoon, skunk or javelina.

A house sparrow at the bird bath. The little birds like the bird bath, rarely do the bigger birds use it.

Someone in Laguna decorated this city structure with shells and sea glass. This was an old photo I scanned from our summers in Laguna Beach.

Another sea glass photo from this week.

I identified this pretty shrub with blue flowers as “Imperial Blue.”

Red on his flamingo buddy.

Mrs. gets a turn.

Three more photos of Red, just because:

Happy Friday and weekend!

Which photos do you like best?

What plans do you have for Saturday and Sunday?

Flora and Fauna

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A backlit bunny showing off his ears in the morning light.

I’ve been trying to capture the morning light with backlit sea glass for my photography project. I’ve been observing how light changes throughout the day.

The past two days, I walked with my camera in the early morning. Normally I take photos sitting down at home. The camera is a little bulky to carry on my walks compared to my iphone. But I managed because I was inspired to capture a gorgeous Texas Purple Sage in the morning light that’s on the other side of the neighborhood from me.

It’s a massive plant. Since I was using my macro lens that is for closeups, I couldn’t get far enough away to photograph the whole plant. Also, the sage is on the west side of a two-story house and was in the shade when I walked over.

Along my walk to the sage, I spotted so many beautiful instances of backlighting on plants like the Firestick cactus above and the Staghorn below.

My favorite is the following series of an agave. I took a photo of the whole plant and then got closer — and closer.

Last but not least, a chipmunk munching away on a blossom of a Golden barrel cactus.

Do you notice changes in light throughout the day and throughout seasons?

Which photos do you like and why?

Favorite Photos of the Week

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I liked the finch on a flamingo because of the light and background. The flamingos were a birthday present a few years ago from friends. At first I didn’t know what I’d do with them, but they’ve become a highlight of my photos and backyard.

Here’s Red underneath a bench in our backyard.

Mourning Dove loves to rest on top of the same bench. One day he/she was there for hours.

This is a bouquet of glass flowers on our outdoor fireplace. The prior owners of our house left them with us. I like the morning light on the edge of the fireplace and glass flowers. A hummingbird visits the flowers every morning to try and get some nectar.

Red stuffing himself while standing under the flamingo. Those two poles behind him are the flaming’s legs.

Mrs. found a perfect perch on a flaming’s head. She often stops there while grabbing a bite of seeds.

Our skies normally are bright blue. I’ve enjoyed a few cloudy days.

Seriously, Red asks. You’re still taking pictures of me?

Which photos do you like of the ones I posted this week?

Put on the spot

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What a surprise to see this cactus in full bloom! I had to get photos in the morning light.

I was at a board meeting for the charity group that I volunteer for that raises funds for sex-trafficked victims. Unfortunately, the board decided to no longer fundraise for this worthy cause. The reason why? The subject matter is too tough. It upsets the sensibilities of many women. They don’t want to hear about it and deep down they are turned off by it.

Our new year for the group starts in September. I’ve been on the fence on whether or not I want to continue on the board. I brought this up a month ago to our current president who is stepping down from that demanding position and continuing with her role as treasurer (yes she was doing both!) She said, “Oh no! You have to be on the board.”

My job is communications which means internal communication with members as well as outreach to the community. It’s a lot of work. Yes, it’s satisfying, but lately feels like something I have to do rather than something I’m passionate about.

With my new interest in photography and the advanced workshop I was invited to join beginning in September, I’m leaning more towards not being on the board.

At the end of our board meeting the other night, I was put on the spot. The incoming president said, “I need to ask each of you a question. I need to know if you are continuing on the board.”

I really wanted to discuss my decision with the outgoing president before bringing it up in public. But here I was. I was honest. I think being put on the spot does that to me. I can’t come up with an excuse or a nice lie to get through the moment. I could see a few board members visibly upset with me. I explained about my new commitment to the photography workshop and not knowing how much time it will take. I told them I was still thinking it through and couldn’t commit to being on the board.

I drove home feeling guilty for not having this conversation with the outgoing president before a public announcement.

Have you been put on the spot? If so, how did you handle it?