It’s October. Leaves are beginning to fall, pumpkins are in the stores, and we still have flowers!
Autumn Mood
I’m in the mood for fall, so I created a pumpkin still life today.
Fall, sort of . . .
Our walk at Willow Lake showed us that Fall is on its way (some yellow leaves), but drought has caused the lake to recede and plants to dry up and wither. What used to be under water is now mud. Many trees still have green leaves however, which created the green bokeh areas in the background of my photo. We are looking forward to some colder weather and hopefully rain in the coming weeks.
Everything will be okay . . .
Late one afternoon, we finally got over to Willow Lake to visit the white pelicans that flew in a few weeks ago. They are earlier than usual- and staying longer- perhaps because of the hot weather. As I drew closer to photograph them, it seemed the pelican on the right was becoming nervous, and it looked as if the bigger one was reassuring him. This went on for awhile, and eventually he did take off over the water to find a place to swim.
FYI- It has been about 11 months since my knee replacement, and during this walk, I noticed that I really don’t even think about my knee at all before taking a step. Before surgery, each step on uneven ground was wobbly as my knee was very unstable. I can’t say that it feels like a normal knee, but it WORKS!
Still Summer
I have an autumn wreath on my door and am planning to get out my Halloween decorations later today, but . . . it’s still summer here!
Shades of Blue and Gold
A variation on theme
Abstractification and Impressionization
Yeah- probably not real words- but I had fun yesterday “abstractifying and impressionizing” this multiple exposure photo of a building and archway on the University of New Mexico campus. I added another photo layer, one of my own textures, and a few grunge brushstrokes before doing some color adjustments. I like the effects and thoroughly enjoyed myself!
The Bunny
Another portrait of “my” bunny
Summer’s End
As summer draws to a close, the grasses go from green to gold, and a new beauty emerges.
RIP RBG
May you rest in peace, Justice Ginsburg. And thank you.
Summer Roses
We have really enjoyed all our new rose bushes this summer- but this one is our favorite. We love the variety of shades that the roses turn as they bloom.
Healing Field
Today is Nine Eleven. I will always associate that day with our daughter’s wedding which happened 11 days later in the aftermath of that terrible day. Today we visited the Healing Field in our neighboring town of Prescott Valley. The Healing Field is an annual tribute to the nearly 3000 lives that were lost September 11, 2001- one flag for each life, with a tag telling about that person and where they died. The flags seem to go on forever, a sobering reminder of how many families lost loved ones that day.
I was especially moved by the BOOTS! Each flag that memorialized a firefighter had boots at the base. I couldn’t help but think of the firefighters fighting so many wildfires today- especially in California (my home state). God Bless our Heroes!
Back to the Beach
An early morning surfer walks back to shore at Newport Beach.
Late to the Party
Newport Beach in February
Hummingbird Portrait
August 2020 was the month of the hummingbird in our garden- they rule the back yard. When we are outside we are constantly “buzzed” as they make sure we know we are in their territory. We’ve had many more than ever before- is it the hot, dry weather? the fires elsewhere? Whatever the reasons, we have enjoyed having so many! Our local bird expert writes that some will start leaving soon (as they always do in September), but we imagine that we will continue to have a few that will stay around through the fall.
melinda anderson photography 