Good Old Days, 2011

Always lots of color and familiar faces. A fun family day -  a nice turn-out on a perfect day. The marching groups of all the military looked sharp in parade dress- as usual. It's reassuring to see them out for us.
It's always a special treat to see and hear the High School Band - they sounded good!
And lots of neat cars too - the most colorful are included.

Macro Maddness at Garland Ranch

Well, another long day behind the camera, tripod, diffusers, reflectors and remote shutter release!

It was a day at Garland Ranch under the guidance and coaching of David Gubernick - a pro and a macro expert. We were challenged to look at flowers as one would look through a microscope, coping with the body that doesn't collapse that way anymore, the tripod that doesn't want to go that low, the wind that blows ever so slightly, the new camera with far too many controls, the lens that only likes to be up close and the sun blazing away. At least it wasn't raining. And, to say nothing of a few dog-walking hecklers passing by along the path at the Ranch. 

Then one has to find the flower, set-up the equipment ever so carefully, focus on the  subject and then modify the sunlight with a diffuser (strong sunlight just isn't always right). And then one must  compensate for the diffused light, by holding a gold reflector at just the right angle to illuminate the microscopic subject. Contortions, that's what was going on. So - set-up done, diffuser in one hand, gold reflector in the other, camera in focus. How does one trip the shutter? Third hand?

What could be the outcome of a day like this. Well, you'll just have to judge for yourself!

The morning began in the field looking for the smallest flower in sight. This one was tiny, emerging from a leaf about an inch in diameter. Diffused light, gold reflector and the lens about 3" away form the barely noticed flower. Off to a good start?

Then further along the road to some blue ones, these a lot bigger but another challenge of body and technology.

The afternoon started with two lone California Poppies off at the edge of a barren field. This was the smaller of the two. Or more correctly, the inside of the smaller one. The focus was a challenge and I couldn't get the aphids in focus while concentrating on the other filements and pollen. Progress?

Then after going through more set-ups, re-arranging the tripod, moving diffusers and reflectors this is what a California Poppy can look like after the session - sadly for the poppy. The petals were used for another back-drop, while I retreated to more sturdy subjects. Progress - Not!

Undaunted; we persevered and finished the day trying to capture the single seed pod on a single stalk of grass. A real challenge as all the variables by this time were out of control, the body was tired and sore, but the instructor was proposing just one more challenge. Finis!

Was the day worth it?          Would I do it again?       

Not right away!

Roads Less Traveled

Last Saturday GP went on a Photo Workshop called "Roads Less Traveled" with a local Carmel Valley professional instructor and four other students. We traveled the length of Carmel Valley Road onto Arroyo Seco Road and then to Greenfield, on to King City and then East from King City about 40 miles into San Benito County. It was a long but productive day.

We were on back roads the whole day, stopping at maybe 10 or 12 different places along the way to "shoot" the landscape. We saw some of the most beautiful scenery in Monterey and San Benito Counties. Although tired, it was hard to end the day. It finally got too dark to shoot any more shots. As you can see, the weather was perfect all day.

Here is the link to the instructors web site.

These are just a few samples of the landscapes we saw and documented. I had both the D90 and the D7000 with me and the full kit of lenses, tripod, remote release etc. It sure makes me want to keep at the photography. This trip was very satisfying. I wish you all could have been on the journey. There is a story about every one of these shots. I'll fill you all in with a detailed slide show when we are together again.

 

Ellis Wins His Division at the CCCX Cross Country Mountain Bike Race

The Salinas High mountain bike team turned out in Ft. Ord on February 12, 2011 for the first local mountain bike race of the season.  Their goal was to test their legs and get some race experience before the first NorCal league high school race the following week. The team has been training 3 times a week since the beginning of the year and all the kids were anxious to test their legs.

What a thrill to see 3 Cowboys jump out to the front of a pack of 4 riders in the 14-18 age category on the first of 3 laps. By the second lap 2 Cowboys dropped back leaving Ellis and another rider to trade leads and race to the finish.

On the third and final lap, after more than an hour of racing, Ellis was able to stay in the front and hold off challenges by the second place rider. At the finish Ellis held just enough of a lead to avoid a sprint finish and a last ditch effort by the chasing rider to nip him at the line. Ellis rode to victory on his dad's old bike and wearing a pair of his dad's old shoes.

The Boys 14-18 podium saw 3 Cowboys, all 14 years old and 2 of them riding in their first race. This strong showing certainly bodes well for the High School races still to come.

At the end of the day, Ellis' time was the fastest of all the beginner heats in all age categories.

Nothing like a first place finish, and having your dad and grandfather on hand to watch (and photograph), to make the fatigue of the race go away quickly.

Pattee Pond, Corral de Tierra

Sunday was a perfect day at Corral De Tierra; the recent rains had filled Pattee Pond to more normal levels. The walk around the pond always brings new observations and today, a new bird on the California Bird List.

After visiting the Boekenoogen Tasting Room in Carmel valley, a leisurely drive over Laureles Grade brought us to Corral De Tierra. A walk around the Pond was a pleasant outing. There were lots of clouds with patches of sun. This view greeted us as we began the walk around the pond.

This Red-tailed Hawk was patrolling over the pond and made a serious attack on the Great Egret which took off at the last moment and headed across the pond. The Hawk swooped low, missed and climbed back to the hunting altitude. The Egret continued his feeding routine with an ever watchful eye on the hawk-filled sky above.

We see one American Wigeon at the left of the shot above. A closer shot of a pair of American Wigeons follows below. Although new to us, they are reported to be almost as common as Mallards on inland ponds. The Wigeon is a new bird on our California bird list.

We did see the usual Mallards and caught one of the many swallows passing by.

This rabbit was sunning himself but well out of sight under thick brush, protecting him from the hawks circling above.

 Always in view from the pond - Castle Rock in The Pastures of Heaven.