Pardon My Sunflower

 

“Everything takes time. Bees have to move very fast to stay still.”

 

     ~David Foster Wallace,

   Brief Interviews with Hideous Men

 

Pardon me for yet another sunflower photo, but I am off on a little photo adventure today, which means I need to get in bed soon. So, just another little sunflower, in the late summer sun, making friends with a bee.

 

And all is right with the world.

 

 

Imposter Seasons

 

"If I were a flower…I would be a sunflower. To always follow the sun, turn my back to darkness, stand proud, tall and straight even with my head full of seeds."

~Pam Stewart

It's late summer now, and but there are still some tiny sunflowers to be found along the roads here and there in the San Joaquin Valley. They always make me smile. I want to stop at each spot and take a photo, just so I refer back on cold days of winter, to keep me warm inside. The weather was perfect this summer. Not too hot, if not a little too cool. One night in July, I was actually shivering, while I was batting on the Franklin Bridge. I hardly got bit, there weren't nearly as many mosquitos as in years past. But there were sunflowers, which no matter what, they are always there in summer. That's a good thing, if not, I might not know if spring had ever ended!

The Color Of Summer And Autumn

 

"Fall colors are funny. They’re so bright and intense and beautiful. It’s like nature is trying to fill you up with color, to saturate you so you can stockpile it before winter turns everything muted and dreary."

 

 ~Siobhan Vivian,

 Same Difference

 

Sunflowers in autumn, my goodness, is there anything more uplifting then the color yellow? These beauties grow wild along the roadside, all through the San Joaquin Valley, from early summer, through mid-autumn. And I always smile when I see them return each year, because I know autumn is on it's way! I thought posting these photos on the first day of October, my favorite month, would be uplifting for my mood, and hopefully for those who visit this blog.

 

 And The bees love them too!

Dragonflies Damselflies And Sunflowers

 "Dragonflies are reminders that we are light and we can reflect light in powerful ways if we choose to do so."

~Robyn Nola

We visited Yolo Bypass Wilderness area yesterday, and while there wasn't a lot of birds to be found, it was great for finding out about the timetable for when it will be ready for the aquatic birds heading our way. There were definite designed water ways ready to go. Islands of reeds for the wrens and blackbirds, and everything mowed deeply for better viewing. Like everything good heading our way, it will happen soon. I just wish soon was now.

There wasn't many birds, but there were gardens of yellow sunflowers to see and photograph, and more dragonflies and damselflies then I have seen in previous summers/autumns. Good eating for the bats that roost under the overpass that borders the wilderness are along HWY 50. One thing is there to eat the other I guess, I am not fond of the system, but that's how things work. Ugh, duck hunting season is about to begin. November I think. And I am dreading it. Some of the hunters aren't fond of the birders and can be downright rude. Shrug. It's only a few bad apples, so we ignore the ignorant.

 

I simply go about my business of photographing whatever my camera sees. It's hard to explain, but I think dying weeds are kinda pretty. It's all about the story of the year, or maybe just the summer. Either way, I enjoy sharing that story. And while I don't hate dragonflies, in fact I look forward to photographing them, I don't really want one in the car with me while I am at Yolo. LOL. There were so many creatures flying about that some of the larger of them were pacing my car, if not making serious efforts to become passenger. Basically they thought I was their UBER.

 

It all worked out. We finally moved passed the areas with large groupings, and few of them actually posed for me, as did a particular White-faced Ibis. There was a small flock of juveniles. They fly in tight flocks, so spotting them coming in was easy and a happy sight. All in all it was a very pleasant adventure. It wasn't too hot, we learned about scheduling, and there was plenty to photograph. I am glad we made the trek to Davis. And we picked up free sandwiches from Jersey Mikes, which was a perk of T-Mobile Tuesdays. I hope there will be more of that in the coming months. Birding is an amazing hobby, but there is some work involved and having a free sandwich to look forward to means a lot. But even if there is no free sandwich, you will never keep me away from the birds and bats. I can always sleep in the car on the way home.

 

I love naps at the end of a happy day!

 

 

Those Summer Days

 

"A long time ago, in a kingdom by the sea,

 there lived a princess as tall and bright as a sunflower."

 

~~Jeanne Desy

The Princess Who Stood On Her Own Two Feet

 

Please make it be autumn. 

 

Please.

 

~Me

 

 

 

 

 

Chasing Autumn

 "It takes a strong man to be with a

 woman full of fire and stars and all of October."

~Melody Lee

Every October, Alan takes me from one autumn tree, to the next, and never laughs as I point at each one and spout the same words, "hey look... a tree!" He loves autumn as much as I do, which is why he proposed to me on a warm, October day, in 1989. As we sat at the restaurant, looking through dates on the calendar, we had thought an engagement of a year would be perfect, as it takes a long time to plan a wedding! We both wanted October 31st, Halloween, as our wedding day, because it's our favorite holiday, but, alas, it was going to be on a weekday, a Wednesday, I believe, so we went with our second choice, October 13th! Perfect! Especially since 13 happens our favorite number!

Some folks might not trust the 13th of any month for a wedding, but I know it was a lucky day for us! It was warm, and the sun was shining so lovely, and all was right with the world! 27 years later, we are more in love now, than we were all those years ago, and that love continues to grow, even as I sigh from autumn tree, to autumn tree, and behave like I have never seen leaves of crimson and cinnamon, and all the other shades that make this autumn sing for joy, and love!Its ridiculous how happy this season makes me, and it's ridiculous how much I'm loved! And it's ridiculous how much I love Alan and autumn, and, well, the leaves!

#24 Leaf Of The Day

October 24th, 2017

Cull Canyon

 Mood: Happy

~Me :)

When Cool Breezes Replace Summer Heat

"Autumn. It's crispness, it's anticipation, it's melancholia, it's cool breezes replacing summer's heat. It's long days in the field, a harvest festival when work's done, a cheering crowd in a football stadium, chrysanthemums punctuating a somber landscape.

 It's Halloween high-jinx, pumpkins grinning toothy smiles,

 the crack of pecan pressed against pecan. 

It's the first curls of woodsmoke, fresh blisters from pushing a rake. It's crisp and fresh and mellow and snug, solemn and melancholy. And it's very, very, welcome."

~Good Housekeeping Magazine

Mmmmm... Happiness! Last night I felt the first true cool breeze of fall. There is nothing like it.

The Leaf Of The Day

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Soon...

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do."

~Helen Keller

 

From the archives. I took the photo back in the august of 2010. It instantly became one of my favorite photos of all time. Many times I have considered taking this photo and putting it on canvas. Maybe one day, we'll see. I haven't been out with the camera for a while. I just haven't felt like it. I am not really stuck per se, but I am in a bit of a funk. Summer begins tomorrow, and I know I will be out more with the camera. If I don't venture out on my own, Alan is going to make me go. LOL. If all else fails, we are planting next week, so there is always the sunflowers, roses and tomatoes... right? Or perhaps I should take up watercolor drawing. Look how nice the sunflower photo looks converted to that form!

But first... the summer solstice.  One thing at a time.

I think I will be back to normal soon. :)

Mood: Quiet

~Me :)

A Full Moon, A Sunflower, And An Egg Salad Sandwich...

Full Pink Moon
April 15th 2014
11:30 P.M. PST

"I want to fly like a butterfly around this beautiful world, till the last frame of my life and click the last click of my heart."

~Biju Karakkonam Nature And Wild Life Photographer

Well, I was a bad blogger yesterday, I didn't post to my blog. I was, however, a good photographer, because I didn't let the Full Pink Moon escape me. I got a photo of the April full moon! I am happy about that, but not too happy about having skipped posting 3 days in just this month! It has been... well... a stressful month. Lots of negativity. But I realize that I can control how I choose to look at things. I will explain it all in a different post, in a couple weeks or so, but for now I want to just focus on the assignment at hand. The color yellow, and of course, April's full moon.

The Color Yellow 
Day 2: A Sunflower 

Photographed August 2010
 

Now A Little Photo Editing Magic (Illusion)


The Color Yellow 
Day 4: A Starbucks Egg Salad Sandwich

What does a slightly stressed out photographer eat for lunch? Well this slightly stressed out photographer loves Starbucks Egg Salad Sandwiches! In fact, she is addicted!


Mood: Good

~Me :)

My Friend Silvia

"Friendship is born at the moment when one man says to another, "What! You too? i thought that no one byt myself..."

"C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

I visited my archives for this post because I wanted to post a photo that had been inspired by my friend Silvia. She's been my neighbor, and pal, for... well... as long as I can remember. She hasn't lived on the property as long as I have, but somehow it seems that see has lived in the cottage in front of mine since before I moved in. She is funny, and nice, has a big heart. She is the kind of lady who lives her life as fully as she can, without stepping on anyone to do it. Unfortunately, when the property we live on sold to new owners a few years ago, the new landlord, in their prejudice, took an almost instant disliking to her... and now she is leaving, having grown tired of the abuse.

The same thing happened to another dear friend and neighbor a while back, and I feel like soon the owners will begin their assault on me. I am a bit more savvy about these things, I don't mind consulting a lawyer if need be, but I would rather not if it is possible. The whole situation is maddening. All so very unnecessary. Silvia and I will remain friends, but I will not get to see her smile daily any more. Maybe not even monthly. She is moving out of the Bay Area to Sacramento. A 2 hour car ride away. Sigh.

I am sad.

I wish I could change the circumstances.

I can't.

To make my friendship with Silvia all the more special, we share a birthday... June 29th.

:(

Tonight's photo comes from the archives of 2008. They are black sunflowers that I planted along the fence my friend and I shared. She always loved them for their individuality.

Mood:Quiet

~Me :)

Round Robin Challenge: All Natural Colors

"Some people like living in a black and white worlds. Let them stay there. Appreciate all the colors you see in your world though."

~Ashly Lorenzana

RRC: All Natural Colors

I love Karen's choice of, All Natural Colors, for this edition of the Round Robin Challenges! Autumn is my favorite season of year, because of all the natural colors. There is a variety to this time of year like no other! Trees that have bright green leaves as autumn begins, suddenly burst into the leaves so bright and alive with color, just a few weeks later, you can't help but feel in awe of them! Even when the very same leaves finally transition into the deep earth tones of dark purples, browns, deep mustard, and burnt orange, as autumn comes to a close, it just warms me inside, like I have just put on and old favorite sweater! It is the perfect way to prepare for the dark, stark, barren days of winter. But it's not like winter doesn't have it's all natural color as well. That's when I love to get out with the camera, and try to find scenes that have color, but appear black and white naturally, due to lighting. I hope I did a good job here of demonstrating the effect of light on natural color.

All Natural Colors...

Okay, that's my contribution for this assignment of the Round Robin Challenges! Now, go see what the other participants have posted! Just click the link at the top of this post, to be redirected to the official Round Robin Challenge blog! Better yet, please join us! You can find all the information on the blog!

Thanks Karen, for yet another fun challenge!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 35~ Sunflowers

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do."


~Helen Keller


As if by magic, or good timing at the very least, I have been spending the week planning, and getting ready to plant Sunflowers... lots and lots of Sunflowers, when what should appear in my inbox... my Farmer's Almanac, and in it was a fascinating article all about... you guessed it... Sunflowers!


I was so happy to read the article, that it inspired me to take a look through my archives for inspiration before planting this year. I love the large yellow Sunflowers, but my heart belongs to the exotic colors as well. The black and purple, and especially the fiery reds. I love that Sunflowers turn their faces toward the sun, then follow it as it moves throughout the day. It's a great reminder not to dwell on the cold, dark, side of things. 


Soak Up The Sun.


Enjoy!
Farmer's Almanac: Sunflowers To The Rescue!





















See ya tomorrow!


~Me:)