Looking down at the water from the pier at Huntington Beach- taken almost a year ago.
Self Portrait
But what IS it?
Not everyone likes abstract or impressionist photography. I happen to be one who reacts emotionally to color, form and light even if I can’t see a recognizable subject. Don’t get me wrong- I like and do traditional photos too- probably the majority of the time. But I guess I’m trying to say that this would not fall under the umbrella of traditional photography. And I was happy today that this image got such a positive response from my photo group, which used to be very much focused only on standard images.
But what IS it?
It is my impression of the waterfront of Benicia, California.
Show-off
Morning coffee these days means sitting on the front porch watching the monsoon rains or sitting on the back patio and watching the hummingbird show. Today it was the hummingbirds.
We have had more hummingbirds than usual this summer and often they are vying for dominance in their territory. This morning they were zooming around so fast it was difficult to focus. Although they were focused on each other (and the feeder!), I considered they might actually fly right into me as I stood taking photos. As I write this, they are back at it again after a forced respite due to heavy rain.
I was in the mood for a soft photo when I edited this image, so muted the colors and added a blur and a paint filter over all. This is a look I like in photography- but does NOT reflect the mood of these feisty hummers.
Alaska Golden Hour
This photo is from last year’s Alaska trip- a view of Kachemak Bay before the sun set
Education
The first summer I was here, I saw what I thought was a hummingbird and took several shots before going “Eeewwww! That’s not a hummingbird!” Just in case you need educating like I did, this is some kind of sphinx moth. They flit among the flowers and hover like hummingbirds as they sip the nectar from the plants. They are pollinators, so I like them, but still get a bit grossed out by them.
Loon
Most of my Alaska photography time last month was spent photographing the loons that swam peacefully around the lake. Often they would dive beneath the water for food and then surface with a spray of bubbly lake water. They were usually in pairs and would call to each other when they were separated, flapping their wings when the other was spotted. There was a pair with babies which I never saw, unfortunately. Next year…
Reflected
I think there’s nothing more serene than looking out at water, especially a still Alaska lake with reflections of the shore. This is NOT my daughter’s cabin, but I am now thinking I need to take my camera out in their boat and take a similar photo.
Monsoon Clouds
I can happily report that we are having a good monsoon season this summer. We have had many days where we got some rain, and have had several big storms. Today’s storm was dramatic and beautiful. We were awakened in the night by LOUD cracks of thunder, lightning, and lots of rain. In the morning it was clear and beautiful with white puffy clouds. We drove up to a good vantage point to see the beautiful sky over Prescott, and I took the upper left photo of Prescott, with the veteran’s hospital in the foreground, and the darkening sky over the Thumb Butte in the background. As I stood there, it began to thunder, and lightning bolts shot down from the clouds (no, I couldn’t manage to snag any shots of the lightning). We went downtown for lunch on the patio of one of our favorite lunch places, and the thunderstorm continued. The rest of the photos are from home. In the last photo, you can see the sky was darkening enough in the early afternoon that our driveway light came on. Later, heavy rain began, the storm continued, and flash flood warnings kept coming on my iPhone. I love the drama of a great monsoon storm!
Setting Sun
Some of my favorite images (and memories) come from last summer’s vacation in Alaska when we celebrated our fiftieth anniversary. I have a multitude of photos still to be processed, and I love dipping into the collection and finding new images to create. This one is two photos taken within minutes of each other and layered in Photoshop.
Little Friend
Breakfast time for this cute little hummingbird!
Dinnertime
During our “elder years” (I put this in quotes, because I haven’t quite accepted my role as an elder), my husband and I have taken to eating many of our summertime meals out on the patio while we to watch the birds. Last night, I was enjoying watching the goldfinches, when many more finches swooped in and crowded each other on one of the feeders. I was surprised to see the spotted towhee (on the left) join them; I’m used to see the towhees under the feeders, rather than ON them.
What a relaxing way to start our evening!
Exhale. . .
We have just returned from a week visiting our daughter’s family in Alaska. Most of the time was spent at their family cabin on a small lake. I can’t imagine a more relaxing spot- especially at sunset. This iPhone shot was taken after 11 pm, when the light was just beginning to dim. Ahhhh….
Swinger
We have a hummingbird feeder hanging outside our window by the kitchen sink, and nearby is a hummingbird swing. The hummer in this photo (a quick snap taken through the window glass) was not swinging for fun. He was guarding the feeder from a hummingbird who kept trying to come in for a drink. Never mind that there are three feeders- these aggressive little guys do not like to share!
Prickly Poppy
Every summer, I take photos of these prickly poppies, and I usually am not happy with them. This one was shot at the end of a walk at Watson Lake just as it was thundering and clouding over. A few raindrops were coming down, and the clouds softened the usually harsh noon light, which brought out the details of the petals.
Warning- these prickly leaves are sharp, which is why I’ve never succeeded in picking one of these poppies. Next time- heavy garden gloves and clippers!
Friday Flowers
If you seen eryngium, you might hesitate to call it a flower. It looks like a thistle, but is supposed to be an herb, common name sea holly. Although I took many shots, the one I like best is this multiple exposure with a bit of intentional camera movement on one layer.
melinda anderson photography 