On the north side of the American, between Folsom Prison and the town of Folsom, is a ledge of solid granite called Slate Bar. The ledge permitted only what was called “crevice mining”… and mining was not as extensive as on other bars. In 1850 James Smith built a store on the bar. He built a sawmill the following year… […]
As much as I love capturing big scenic landscapes with my camera, I also can’t resist getting down on the ground for smaller subjects! An unexpected turtle: Another secret caterpillar spot: Snails on the sidewalk… …or in the state park. A sunbathing butterfly: And some rattlesnake grass (Briza maxima):
As I marched along the deserted horse trail, a flash of bright red caught my eye. The play of shadows on the leaves, backlit by morning sun, was so irresistible I decided that I didn’t mind standing in the dried weeds to capture the shot. It wasn’t until I checked out the images on my laptop that I saw the […]
As summer approaches and the daytime temperatures in the Sacramento Valley start to soar, it’s time for me to practice some serious discipline — rolling out of bed while it’s still dark outside, downing a quick protein shake and a piece of fruit, and heading outdoors while the air is still cool enough to make me shiver. It’s much easier said than done — although […]
What would the world be, once bereft Of wet and wildness? Let them be left, O let them be left, wildness and wet, Long live the weeds and the wildness yet — Gerard Manley Hopkins
The theme of Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge this week is Gardens. Gardens comes in all shapes and sizes. They can be of plants, flowers and vegetables or herbs. I want to see all types of gardens this week. Have fun with this challenge. If I lived in San Francisco, you can bet I’d be spending as much time as possible […]
The theme of Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge this week is All One Color. …please no black and white or sepia tones. I would like to photos with basically one color to them. You can show a building or partial building, a flower, close up of statues or wood. Have fun with this challenge. Use your imagination for this theme.
I’m not sure if this plant is a wild onion, but it’s very abundant right now in the areas where I’ve been hiking, near Negro Bar State Park. It likes the sun and so is a little difficult to photograph, but I think the colors come across well here. I chose the name Maglia Rosa in honor of the 100th edition of the Giro d’Italia, which started last weekend and runs until May 28. I haven’t been able to watch the race on TV — although I’m cheering for my perennial favorite (see what I did there?), Frenchman Thibaut Pinot. He may not get a chance to wear the Maglia Rosa (the pink leader’s jersey) this year, but hope, like wildflowers, springs eternal.
Yesterday morning as I left for my 5-mile hike at 8:30 AM I passed my neighbor’s roses, bright red and shining gloriously in the sunlight. They were so gorgeous I absolutely had to take a few photos, even though I knew in such bright light the colors would be difficult to render accurately. Still, I tried a few different angles […]