Acceptance

"I live in a place that's only good for leaving."

~Courtney Summers

Sadie

In case you haven't noticed, I have posted more this month, the first month of 2019, than I did last year at this time. In fact, this is the most posts in January, since 2015! What changed? Well, I am finally comfortable in my life. The most comfortable as I have been since moving. I am not 100% happy, that probably won't change until Trump is out of office, but I am comfortable in the house, and in Stockton. I have learned to venture out of the house, and find my way around, and I have some confidence in my photography as it applies to my semi-rural existence. I have gotten used to San Francisco not being a heartbeat away. I have stopped fighting my grief. I guess I have finally reached the acceptance of my situation, that will finally help me heal.

Acceptance... the 5th and final stage of grief, is the most important step to regaining your life, is perhaps the most difficult of the 5 to achieve, at least it was for me. It is, however a necessary evil, and by having let go, I have completed the necessary steps to feel free from the overwhelming hatred I felt for 2015. I think I feel better, but at the same time, I feel an familiar feeling of sadness for what's been left behind. San Francisco is my love, but at least my new town, of Stockton, and I can be friends! Finally! So, here is a new gallery of photographs from the Central Valley, taken last Sunday, during that fascinating storm that came through he Big Valley. So much light. So many clouds. And the beautiful rural towns, a little bit east of my new home!

Sights From The Central Valley Towns

Ione, California

Herald, California

I am already looking forward to the next winter storm!

~Mood: Happy

~Me 

 

Opportunity Storms

"Birds were created to record everything. 

They were not designed just to be beautiful jewels of the sky,

 but to serve as the eyes of heaven."

~Suzy Kassem

Rise Up And Salute The Sun: The Writings Of Suzy Kassem 

Last weekend, as I was chasing the storm around the Central Valley, I had lots of opportunities to photograph different subjects. Clouds. Cows. Light and dark shadows, and, of course, birds. I found two different species that stood out, the Savannah Sparrow, and a Red Tailed Hawk. Of the two, I think I enjoyed this bird the most. There were about 40 of them, all eating in, and around, some small bushes on the road to the Rancho Seca Recreational area, near the town of Herald, California. This little bird was in some bushes, facing the now closed, twin towers, of the Rancho Seco nuclear power plant. That particular site is one of my favorite destinations in the Central Valley, to do sunset photos, as well as, doing a little bird watching. Over time, for some reason, I have found the towers themselves, to be quite photogenic, and I have developed a fondness for them. Weird. I know! I am snot sure why I enjoy them so much, but they make me feel comfortable, and safe. Shrug. I have no idea why, but I thank God for it! I will take the inspiration and be grateful!

Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant

Rancho Seco Recreational Area

Herald, California

January 20th 2019

~Mood: Happy

~Me  :)

 

After The Storm Comes The Sunset

"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky."

~Rabindranath Tagore

Stray Birds

Okay, so as I mentioned in my last post, my chance at photographing the blood moon was completely washed out, by a fairly active storm cell. It contained a tornado cell, or two, so as you might imagine, it had all the elements necessary to produce a really stunning winter sunset... and that's just what happened. A really gorgeous sunset! So, the day ended up being a bit of a trade off, sunset beauty, rather than lunar beauty. As disappointed as I was in not getting to photograph an eclipse, I was thrilled with the late afternoon sky. It all worked out, and besides, I will get another chance to photograph a blood moon, in May of 2021. That's not so long away! Who knows, perhaps by then, I will have an awesome telescope, and will be able to photograph more than just an blood moon eclipse!

Stormy Sunset Gallery 

January, 2019

I am beginning to really enjoy winter's light!

~Mood: Happy

~Me  :)

 

Three Moons But Not The Right Moon

"The moon is a loyal companion.

It never leaves. It's always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Ever day it's a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human. 

 Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections."

~Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me

 There was a very special eclipse this past weekend. It was the Full Wolf Moon, and a total lunar eclipse, making it a blood moon! I mentioned it earlier in the week, but alas, true to form, if I mention a special event, it will become inevitable that I will not be able to photograph it. And I wasn't. In fairness, I knew the weather was going to be stormy, but I also thought that there just might be enough of a window between weather cells to allow for at least a few photos, but it just didn't work out. Shrug. On the bright side of things, I was able to do some photos of the amazing storm that rolled through. It produced a tornado warning for about two hours.

That was pretty exciting! And as you might have guessed, I was able to photograph some amazing cloud formations. Now, with those safely in the files, I can assure you I will be posting them over the next few days! I am really enjoying the new subject of clouds, so much so that I think it will keep me busy for most of the year! There, that's the closest as I get to guaranteeing clear weather for the rest of the year, mention within earshot of the photography gods, that I like photographing clouds! LOL. I wonder if the photography gods are named, Murphy?

~Mood: Happy
~Me