B/W 2024 #3

 

“There are no facts, only interpretations.” 

~Friedrich Nietzsche 

 

I went to the archives for this one. I just didn't do anything this past week that inspired me, so I thought maybe I missed an opportunity in the past, and yes I had. We visited Alameda a couple years ago, in search of some nifty little shorebirds and ducks. Well, we weren't very lucky about finding the birds, but we did find a magnificent view of San Francisco and the bay, and in the case of this photograph, Mount Tamalpias peeking out of the fog that was surrounding the bay! I think the black and white gives it a haunting feel. Not scary necessarily but rather in terms of history. That view has been there forever. Just think about how many folks stood in the spot I did, and appreciated the natural beauty in front of them. 

 

One of them might have been my dad, who worked his whole career in Alameda, at the Navel Air Station. He and I both enjoyed a love fort the bay, and the mountains surrounding the Bay Area. Mount Tam is just one of the mountains that inspires me, and it does in almost every way! We have been to the top only once, so I think this summer would be a good time to maybe do some photos of the gorgeous views that go on forever, and of course a sunset over San Francisco would absolutely fill my heart. In fact, Mount Diablo, Mount Hamilton in Santa Clara County, Mount Lassen, all the way up in Lassen County, and finally gorgeous Mount Shasta, might also be a fun way to shake up the subjects a bit. And in that there are birds everywhere, well, that just makes for one beautiful day! Black and White or color is just beside the point!

 

 Elevations

 

Mount Tamalpias... 2,571

Mount Diablo... 3,849

Mount Hamilton... 4,265

Mount Shasta... 14,179

I hope I can move beyond my fears and go. I really want to break out of the box of reluctance and travel anxiety I live in. I want to experience new things, especially when my love of birds and photography calls me at the same time.

 

 

The Richmond San Rafael Bridge

"The bridges that you cross before you come to them are over rivers that aren't there."

~Gene Brown

I don't give the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge the proper photographic attention it deserves. I want to fix that this year. It's a gorgeous bridge, day or night, and it connects the East Bay with San Rafael in Marin County. Marin County is breathtakingly beautiful and I don't visit up there nearly enough! The Richmond is not the longest of the Bay Area bridges, but it certainly provides a stunning view of Mount Tamalpias. Additionally, if you are making your way across it's span to visit a friend, or foe at San Quentin prison, why this is the bridge for you, as the prison sits just off the west side of the bridge. In fact, when heading back to the East Bay, you are reminded, more than once, that the San Quentin exit is the LAST MARIN COUNTY EXIT! LOL. I think, for some, it's the last exit period, but it's a lovely spot for a prison!

And a bridge!





 



And the view heading back to the East Bay...



~Happiness :)

~Me