Rose of the Valley

I was up the Salinas Valley to the Hahn Vineyard and winery. Their vineyard is bordered by some lovely roses like this one.

Camelia on a Rainy Day in Monterey

Shot this today on a cloudy and rainy day at the Monterey City Hall. The light was soft and there were water droplets on the petals. What's not to like? So, I shot it. I do wish I had my macro with me, but the kit lens did OK.

Processing was not all that much: a little contrast enhancement, trifle bit of vibrancy and a dash of dark vignette.

Minolta to Sony - Wonderful Fit

While I hate to see the grief that has come to Circuit City, it certainly presents a lot of opportunties for bargains.

I have had for years a Minolta Maxxum 35mm with four very nice lenses. when I went digital, I got a Canon Rebel (thanks to a good friend in San Francisco named Manu) which has served me very well. I have thought about getting a Minolta, then Sony when they bought Minolta, but they were always more expensive then I thought made sense just for a home for my lenses, flash, remote etc. Then Circuit City went bust.

Well now all that equipment has a home. Thanks to Anita!

BTW, Spring has Sprung! This shot is from our backyard today and is a plum blossom.

Spring Has Sprung...

The grass has riz,

I wonder where the boidie iz?

The boid is on the wing,

But ain't that absoid?

The wing is on the boid!

(Bit of Brooklyn doggerel)

If you would like a taste of the Central Coast of California, visit my portfolio of seascapes here.

Everything is Just Flippin' Peachy

Folks who know me know that is something I say wryly as I deal with whatever is the catastrophe de jour.

But yesterday the peach tree in the back yard bloomed, and all seemed right with the world.

A Rose of Fall

Winter? What's winter? Ah, California!

Morning in the Garden

Image of the Day - Holy Begonia Batman!

Focus is not what I had hoped for here. I would prefer the center was sharper but I got the top of the flower instead. This macro stuff can be pretty challenging. Nonetheless, I rather like the picture.

Tired of Smoking Updates... Here's a Little Something from a Local Nursery

Yes, I'm doing OK with the smoking on this 6th day of being smoke free. No slips, no patch, not even arrested for homicide or mutilating small furry animals. So I'll put up some pretty flowers.

Off to the county fair in an hour or so to see if my entries in the photo contest won anything...

Lilly in the Garden

End of the Line...

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Hmmm, it seems I like these more than other folks judging by the total lack of comments, so this will be the last one... I'll go eat worms or something :)

I Mooched the Kid's Macro for Awhile

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BW&R

This is one of my favorite effects, eliminating all colors but one, in this case red.

This is another shot taken at Mission San Juan Bautista. I opened the aperture pretty far up, 4.5 if memory serves, thus the DOF you see.

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Among the Roses

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A Rose is a Rose Pt IV

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A Rose...

I borrowed this piece of Poetry from a very good photoblogger Suzanne of http://suzanne.shutterchance.com/

From a simple prayer
That began as a whisper in a quiet place
A dream can inspire the worldA voice echo far away
The wind can take our thoughtsFrom the wasteland where we walk
Into a pure landAs heroes proudly stand
Like a rose among thorns
From a simple act
That began in the corner of an unlit placeA vision embraces the world
A million candles blaze
We rise above ourselves
With a dignity somehow
Reach that Promised Land
As heroes proudly stand
Like a rose that grows
In spite of it all
A simple rose among thorns
In every lifetime we find a heart
That lights a spark in the eyes of the weary
Who can lead me to a greater love
Show there's good in us.

A Rose Among Thorns lyrics ~ Dulce Pontes

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A Rose is a Rose

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Fun and Games in Lightroom

Son Will sent me a website that had a large number of pre-sets for Lightroom, a program I am comiong to love.

While these images aren't all that great, I am seeing some possibilities. This is only one preset wherein I gray scaled and then brought back the blue of this Lupine. I can see where things like this are going to be very helpful



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Poppies

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Suddenly Springtime

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