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Photography 101: Double
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Photography 101: Double

Our Day 19 assignment for Photography 101 was “Double”. I have included double photos of stadiums, tennis, palms, and bucks.

This photo shows double stadiums right next to each other taken from the 76th floor of Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington. They are used for the Seattle Mariners (baseball) and Seattle Seahawks (football). That night there was actually a Seattle Sounders soccer match being played. These are interesting shots when taken from so high up looking down on these stadiums.

Double Stadiums

Double Stadiums

Here we have a tennis doubles match being played in the main stadium at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the BNP Baripas Open which is held for two weeks every year in Indian Wells, California.

Tennis Doubles

Tennis Doubles

This photos shows double palms in Thousand Palms near Palm Springs, California.

Double Palms

Double Palms

This last photo shows double bucks in our back yard. We have lots of white-tailed deer in our area, and we see them in our yard every day.

Double Bucks

Double Bucks

Photography 101: Edge
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Photography 101: Edge

Our Day 18 assignment for Photography 101 was “Edge”. I have included photos of various edges from a wildflower field, view up/down a 76-story skyscraper, mountain ridge, and waterfall.

This photo highlights the edge of a country field filled with yellow wildflowers in the spring near Brenham, Texas. It also shows the edges of the horizontal fence slats in the foreground.

Edge of field

Edge of field

In this photo, I was looking up from the base of the 76-story Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington, where I was going to attend my niece’s wedding reception on the top floor. Seeing the edge of this skyscraper from this angle illustrates just how high it is.

Looking up

Looking up

From the 76th floor in the Columbia Tower Club, I took this photo looking straight down the edge of the building to the buildings, street, cars, and some people below. It really demonstrates how high it was, and complements the other photo I took looking up.

Looking down

Looking down

While hiking in the Olympic National Park, I took this photo of the edge of Hurricane Ridge with other sky-capped mountains in the background.

Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge

This photo shows Marymere Falls falling over the edge of the cliff into a pool below. This was taken on a hike near Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park, Washington.

Marymere Falls

Marymere Falls

Photography 101: Glass
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Photography 101: Glass

Our Day 17 assignment for Photography 101 was “Glass”. I took photos of several colorful glass objects – yellow, red, green, blue, and clear.

They were taken as the sun was going down so it wasn’t very bright but cast some shadows, especially with the red one. The yellow one is a Tulipa vase from Kosta-Boda in Sweden.

I took quite a few shots and tried several angles, as well as experiments with different  focus and exposure settings to see what happened. That made quite a difference, but I didn’t really know what I was doing; I need to read some more about that topic so I have a better understanding. The wine glass was added for clear glass, and so I could drink it.

 

Photography 101: Treasure
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Photography 101: Treasure

Our Day 16 assignment for Photography 101 was “Treasure”, so I decided to include a photo of a geocache.

Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices, such as an iPhone or Android phone. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.

The word Geocaching refers to GEO for geography, and to CACHING, the process of hiding a cache. A cache in computer terms usually refers to information stored in memory to make it faster to retrieve, but the term is also used in hiking/camping as a hiding place for concealing and preserving provisions.

While hiking up Martis Peak near Truckee, California, just north of Lake Tahoe, I stumbled upon a geocache, which I thought would be a good “Treasure” photo. Ammunition cans are commonly used for geocaches, like this one. The fire lookout near the summit offers panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains (except to the east because of the summit).

Even though it was summer, my brother-in-law got a little adventurous, went off where he shouldn’t have, and slipped on the snow and fell down a ways before being stopped by a tree; it was a very long way down, so he was really lucky.

Geocache

Geocache

Here’s a brief video about Geocaching.

 
I hope you find your treasure.

Photography 101: Landscape
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Photography 101: Landscape

Our Day 15 assignment for Photography 101 was “Landscape”. I have included several photos which feature mountains, glaciers, desert, ocean coastline, and water reflections, with most of them taken at various national parks. I will present them in order from north to south.

I like this first photo taken in Denali National Park, Alaska, which shows reflections in the water from the mountains, trees, and clouds. This day was overcast, but the photo turned out nice anyway (maybe more interesting than if it were clear and sunny).  It’s interesting how the trees frame the photo across the upper middle, left side, and bottom right.  This photo highlights the peaceful remoteness of this beautiful area of the country.

Denali Reflections

Denali Reflections

This is one was taken from a cruise ship in Glacier National Park, Alaska, and it this shows reflections in the water of both the glacier and mountains. The glacier originates many miles inland and moves slowly down toward the water, where you can see remnant of icebergs that fell off the glacier.  It feels cold and looks quite impressive.

Glacier Reflections

Glacier Reflections

Here’s a photo taken while hiking Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park of Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula near Seattle. It’s interesting with the various shades of green in the closer mountains along with the snow-capped mountains in the distance (taken in July).

Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge

Here is a photo of the Pacific Ocean coastline at La Jolla, California, north of San Diego. The water looks so peaceful and inviting with such contrast to the imposing cliff which juts out into the water; the different blues of the water and sky is nice too.

La Jolla Coast

La Jolla Coast

This shows some of the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park in far west Texas along the Rio Grande border with Mexico. We were hiking to a window opening between the rocks that looked out over the surrounding desert area. This is another very remote area which offers unique quiet beauty; the stars are supposed to be amazing at night for those staying in this area, but we didn’t get the opportunity to see them (it might have been overcast, or maybe we just forgot to look up).

Chisos Mountains

Chisos Mountains

I hope you have enjoyed viewing these landscape photos. These are all great places to visit, if you get the chance.

Photography 101: Swarm
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Photography 101: Swarm

Our Day 14 assignment for Photography 101 was “Swarm”. My photos cover swarms of cormorants, seals, kayaks, bucks, and people.

During a visit to La Jolla north of San Diego, California, there were lots of cormorants all over the cliff and rocks, which they also share with a large number of seals.  These are reflected in this first set of photos taken from various angles, including a closeup of the seals.

Nearby I spotted a large group of red kayaks all grouped together which contrasted with the blue water all around and the light cliff behind them.  Up the coast a little bit there were many surfers trying to catch the waves, and they were interesting to watch.

The last set of photos is closer to home, with a large group of white-tailed buck in our backyard.  You will notice that most of them have quite a rack.  Sometimes the males tend to travel together, except when they’re out looking for females in the fall.

The final shot shows flocks of people coming and going between music day parties on Sixth Street in Austin Texas during the South by Southwest music festival in 2010.

Photography 101: Moment
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Photography 101: Moment

Our Day 13 assignment for Photography 101 was “Moment”. I have highlighted a few photos with selected moments to share.

This first photo is actually a newspaper clipping which shows my early introduction to computers, which later became a long career with IBM. During high school the Advanced Math class had the opportunity to visit the “Data Processing Department” where we watched a demonstration of a UNIVAC II computer.

That’s me with the glasses casually leaning my arm over the top of the computer above the operator. I guess I was trying to get a real good look at it, or else just trying to be cool. Anyway, it did perk my interest in computers, and I thought this moment might be a good one to share since it’s over 50 years old.

UNIVAC II Computer

UNIVAC II Computer

Here we have a pre-school Christmas musical moment where they all presented to their families, although they’re not all that focused on what they’re doing. It was fun to watch these early opportunities for the kids to get up in front of other people with all their various behaviors and expressions, but they actually sounded pretty good.

Preschool_Music_IMG_1239

This final photo was taken when I was sitting on a rock talking with my granddaughter. This moment was captured to remember the special relationship that I have with her. I don’t remember what we were talking about now, but it doesn’t really matter I guess. (I have lost some weight since this photo was taken).

Moment_Kate_1_IMG_0621

Photography 101: Architecture
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Photography 101: Architecture

Our Day 12 assignment in Photography 101 was “Architecture”, and we were also asked to explore black-and-white. I have included dual photos in color and black-and-white of various downtowns: Granbury Texas, St. Louis Missouri, Philadelphia  Pennsylvania, and Seattle Washington.  There is a photo looking up at the ceiling in the Atlanta Museum of Art, and also a photo of the iconic Space Needle in Seattle built for the 1962 World’s Fair.

It’s interesting to note how the color versions of the skyscrapers show various shades of tan, blue, black, and silver, and the St. Louis photo includes the turquoise and green from the courthouse top and lawn; these are all eliminated in the black-and-white versions, which I don’t think I like as much even though it still shows a lot of gray-scale color contrasts.

The St. Louis photo was taken from the observation windows at the top of the Gateway Arch, the Philadelphia skyline from across a highway (which was cropped out at the bottom), and the Seattle photo was taken from the 76th floor of the Columbia Tower building.

The atrium ceiling in the Atlanta Museum of Art had a striking pattern of lines and shadows and I had to take a photo of it since it was different; I think I might like the black-and-white version in this one better since the shadows are even more emphasized, and there wasn’t much color in the original anyway.

The old 1890 Hood County Court House in Granbury, Texas offers the most unique character in this typical Texas town square, and I prefer that one best.

Photography 101: Pop of Color
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Photography 101: Pop of Color

The theme for our Day 11 assignment in Photography 101 was “A Pop of Color”. I focused on several images which emphasize various shades of yellow which stand out from their backgrounds, including sunsets, blue agave, glass sculpture, paraglider, and hot-air balloon.

Seattle Sunset

This first one is a photo of a Seattle sunset taken by the mother of the groom at a wedding reception I attended for my niece on the 76th floor of the Columbia Tower Club. I also took quite a few photos, but none turned out like hers, so I decided to include hers since it’s so amazing. This is actually what it looked like, but I just missed the perfect timing she had.

Notice the yellow from the sun and the awesome red glow on Puget Sound. The ferris wheel down on the pier in the lower-left is nicely lit up, so are the Seattle streets and some of the skyscrapers, and of course there’s the Space Needle in the distance (upper-right) that looks so tiny from up where we were.

Seattle Sunset

Seattle Sunset

Lago Vista Sunset

This is another sunset photo that I took from my deck in Lago Vista, which shows the setting sun over Lake Travis west of Austin, Texas. Its golden ball stands out and lights up the sky and clouds.

Lago Vista Sunset

Lago Vista Sunset

Blue Agave at Sunset

This was another photo that I took which shows a Blue Agave which sprouted in my neighbor’s back yard.  We watched it grow daily from what looked like a giant asparagus stalk until it fully evolved with its spiral arms and and all their flowers. I couldn’t help taking lots photos of it since it was rising so fast and quite an amazing sight.

This one was taken at sunset with the blue agave in the foreground with the sun exploding through the clouds behind it with all the rays of light that are scattered in all directions. My guess that it must have been over 30 feet tall, and you can see how tall it is here. By the way, this is the plant that grows in Mexico which they use to make tequila.

Blue Agave at Sunset

Blue Agave at Sunset

Glass Sculpture

I thought this was a fantastic splash of yellow at the Chihuly Garden and Glass, where they have an exhibition, glasshouse, and garden that highlight Dale Chihuly’s colorful glass sculptures next to the Space Needle at Seattle Center. It really pops out at you, especially against the blue sky, green trees, and even the smaller purple sculpture.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Paraglider

Here’s a photo that I took of a yellow/green paraglider at Torrey Pines Gliderport on the scenic cliffs above Black’s Beach in the La Jolla area of north San Diego, which is a very popular place for hang gliders, paragliders, and sailplanes. The colorful wing really stands out from the blue somewhat overcast sky which blends into the Pacific Ocean.  Notice the pilot in the little pod hanging from the paraglider. I guess they must be able to guide it somewhat, but I think the winds might contribute more to where they actually land.

Yellow Paraglider

Yellow Paraglider

Hot-Air Balloon

Finally, we have a yellow hot-air balloon against a clear blue sky above Prosser Lake north of Truckee, California, where ballooning is a fairly popular activity. This really pops out at you also from the blue background.

Yellow Balloon

Yellow Balloon

I’ve enjoyed sharing these colorful photos with you.

Photography 101: Warmth
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Photography 101: Warmth

For our Day 9 assignment in Photography 101, our theme was “Warmth”.  I have included these photos which reflect warmth for me.  They highlight warmth for a fawn, flower, lizard, squirrel, and granddaughter.

Fawn

We have lots of wildlife in our backyard, especially white-tailed deer.  It’s always wonderful to see all the newly born fawn each spring, and also gets interesting in the fall when the bucks have fully developed anthers and are out looking for does.

One morning when we came out for breakfast, we discovered there was a sleeping fawn curled up on our patio just outside out back door next to the door mat.  We watched it for a while and took some photos, especially as it finally woke up (probably because we made some noise in the kitchen).  It was so young and scrawny, it looked very when it was arising from its sleeping position as it tried to stand up.

Sleeping Fawn

Sleeping Fawn

Then it wandered around the deck for a while trying to find a way out to get back to its mother. Eventually, she realized that the baby was trying to find her and actually moved along our deck railing to encourage the baby to follow until it went right through the vertical grating on our gate at the end of the deck (which must also be how it go in).  And here baby is reunited with its mother again, as this photo shows them licking (kissing?) each other.

Deer Licking Fawn-IMG_1627

Fawn with Mother

Flower

This flowering cactus on our deck is another result of the sun’s warmth.  It produces these beautiful yellow flowers.

Cactus-Flower-IMG_1645

Cactus Flower

Lizard

The sun brings out all kinds of critters that want to bask its warmth like this lizard who just likes to sit there for long periods of time just catching the rays.

Lizard-IMG_2766

Lizard

Squirrel

This squirrel is another neighbor you likes to enjoy the sun’s warmth while surveying his backyard domain.  He also has been devouring a succulent that we have in a pot nearby – it must be pretty tasty.

Squirrel-100_0257

Squirrel

Granddaughter

Of course, I can’t forget the loving warmth of my grandchildren.  This is picture that my youngest granddaughter drew for his Grandma and Grandpa (about a year ago when she was 5).  It just says “I Love You” symbolically.

Granddaughter Drawing IMG_1532

Granddaughter Drawing

It’s very cold here in Texas. It was almost time to build a fire tonight, but we didn’t have any starter so that will have to wait. That would have been another photo I could have included. I hope you are having a warm day, or just keeping warm, wherever you are.