Sept 11, 2007

Sept 11, 2007
almost 10:30 a.m.
Levee on the Sacramento River
near Garcia Bend
warm, sunny, hazy from smoke from Moonlight Fire in Plumas County

Fish jumps in the river, birds cheep and chatter in trees nearby.



Sitting on rocks in a clear part of the levee, I've got a Kondos-like view of the levee on the opposite side.



Away from the water's edge, everything is dust dry, a fine powder coating sits on top of the rock hard earth of footpaths. The "cotton" from the cottonwood trees combine with dry leaves to find purchase in straw colored dried grasses.



A bright chartreuse bush leans out over the river, its roots fed by the water in contrast to dry brown bushes and grasses around it.


Tree story on the levee - the remains of a ladder and rope swing for adventurous swimmers.

A symphony of bird song plays in the canopy overhead, it's too difficult for me to discern any certain call, but then I see and hear an individual performer just over my head. A black phoebe calls out and displays his wings, signaling something of importance to others of his kind.

Back at the park I see several yellow billed magpies - a good sign. I have noticed a decrease in their numbers, no doubt due to West Nile disease.

front garden

Sep 9, 07
2:30 p.m.
front garden
warm, pleasant, slight breeze

little birds chatter near, jays squawk in the distance -
time to weed and clean up the garden -

6 p.m.
little breezier, cooling off

cleaner looking garden

walking with Peggy

Aug 20, 07
10:30 a.m.
warm
JFKennedy High School walking with Peggy

trees outside classroom - how to identify?
bark, leaves, growth pattern


overall upright growth, some branches droop down

Quad - birds singing - trees


inside small quad by office -


different view inside "office quad"

Lots & lots of trees on campus, we wander all over, I try to i.d. trees, Peggy gets a little work done meeting other teachers. I think I found some kind of hawthorne tree by the dance teacher - maybe between E & F wings? I wasn't paying close enough attention...

noonish, warming



Out front I try to take a shot to color later - having exposure issues, just my internal light meter is a little dark today.





A row of large trees lines the front sidewalk, gives cool relief right now and frames the front view. The shade/sun combo are a tough exposure mix for my brain today - but I finally get it right -

walk to mailbox

Aug 17, 07
4 p.m. walk to mailbox
pretty warm, clear, no wind

I suddenly notice - pink tree, purple tree.


my tree is the green one

lunchtime

July 24, 07
lunchtime
Sunset State Beach
sunny, windy -



wind has blown the fog bank inland



Pretty good waves here today, fairly high tide, icy cold water for our valley heat accustomed bodies.



The kids still play in the surf but some of the games have changed.

watching

Scott goes to fly his glider - we wander along the beach a little.







magenta flowers at the base of a dune







gets a little warmer as the wind dies down a bit - light changes on the water as we move around the sun







more beachcombing after Scott comes back











We come back from beachcombing to find the rising tide has swamped our belongings - so glad the camera pack was with me! Scott has saved everything - including flip flops - from being dragged out to sea and now we sit farther back from the encroaching waves.









I spend my last pieces of black & white film on the waves, light continuously changing.

backyard

July 13, 07
backyard
midmorning

comfortable, 70's right now, clear skies, an occasional breeze

The gurgle of the pond fountain provides a continuous background for the bird chatter - meanwhile a quiet mockingbird eyes me, then helps himself to something in the lawn - dozens of yellow jackets hover low and find insects to feed their larvae in the lawn, too - actually a concern for me right now, being allergic to their sting - this is one of the few times I'm eager to rid the yard of insects, namely the yellow jackets.

I try a couple close up shots with the Mio, then remember it doesn't do those so well!

I can hear someone watering in one of the neighboring backyards, a goldfinch calls out from the pepper tree, no doubt wishing I would leave so he can eat in peace, a scrub jay chatters and a robin calls out somewhere not too far away...

not too warm

July 11, 07
3:30 p.m.
West Sac across from Old Sac
not too warm, breezy, clear skies

Lazy summer afternoon on the Sacramento River, speed boats have to slow down along the riverfront. Birds chatter in the trees, a train horn sounds, a fish jumps in the water below.

the Delta King & Sacramento skyline framed by trees along the river

4:30
Back on the east side of the river -
Old Sac Riverfront

California Steamers building
Dock wiggles around from boats going along the river, make for a motion-soft image

Wandering around Old Sac looking for something I like - the Pony Express Rider statue draws my eye with the sycamore trees around him

but I actually like him better from behind, looking out toward the street -

The sun lights one of the sycamores nicely - creates a flare on my shot -

it's cool in the shade of the sycamores, a welcome respite from the summer sun...

katydid