The Dear Only Knows

A rose is a rose,

And was always a rose.

But now the theory goes,

That the apple's a rose, 

And the pear is, and so's the plum I suppose.

The dear only knows,

What will next prove a rose,

You, of course, are a rose,

But were always a rose.

~Robert Frost

Something pretty and calm to begin another week on the calendar.

Just breathe.

It Was A Very Good Tuesday

 

"We begin to read each book, 

not knowing if we will see a peacock's feathers, or a baboon's arse."

~Kevin Ansbro

Hubby and I took a ride to Tracy yesterday, just to check out the range on the new EV, and while there we decided to check in at the Clifton Court Forebay, to see what new and wonderful birds might be lurking about. We first found about 100 or so swallows, cliff swallows I think, flying around the first bridge on the road. There may have been a couple different species of swallows, they were flying so quick I couldn't quite get a shot of them. I need to come back in the early evening, when they are slower and ready to roost. You can spot them on the telephone lines sometimes. Next, to my delight, we came across a flock of Caspian Tern. I love those birds, and I was afraid I wouldn't get to see one this year, but happily, there they were, flying on both sides of the forebay! I only wish they could have been a bit closer, my camera is feeling it's age, but still, I'm not really complaining! It was nice. And it was nice in general to get away from all the drama of worldly events. As irritating as those worldly events were, finding, photographing, and being able to enjoy the beauty of those beautiful birds erases a lot of bad! And to make it all that much better, I had a delightful dinner with my hubby, a Jersey Mike's sandwich, and a Habit Burger Garden Salad. Yep, it was a pretty good Tuesday!

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #85

 "The mellow melancholy makes the music of autumn."

~Jayita Bhattacharjee

The Mossdale Railroad Bridge

 “Although I was born in April,

 I’m quite certain I was not fully awake until October."

 
~Peggy Toney Horton

 

  Stop the World and Get Off

 

I understand that sentiment. I was born in June, but because of my deep dislike for summer, it feels like I didn't fully become a person until autumn. October in particular. I love the month of October. I love learning about new things in October, as if I were a kid going back to school. I enjoy reading all year long, but it's during this time of year I like to pick up a great biography or a book on the history of a certain place, and jump right in. See this beautiful old railroad trestle? I have driven past it upwards of 200 - 300 times in the last 40 years, and other than admiring it, and the one that sits near it, I never really thought much of it. But the other day, while visiting, River Islands, in Lathrop, I glanced over, and it just seemed so great that I just had to photograph it. I am going to do more on the railroads out here, and the rich history of the Gold Rush days, but for now I present simply a pleasant picture and a link to a brief history of something really cool near where I live. 

 

 

Altamont Fog Part One... The Last Of Autumn Color

"There is October in every November and there is November in every December! All seasons melted in each other's life!"

~Mehmet Murat ildan

Alan and I had business in the Bay Area yesterday, so we went by way of the Altamont pass, and on any given day this time of year, you will have to deal with December fog! It was mostly light, and well on it's way to burning off, but it made everything look so beautiful! I first noticed it last year, when I occasionally went to work with Alan on Sunday nights! The next morning the fog on the way home really spoke to my creative side. I took a number of lovely sunrise fog photos, and was pleased with the results.

 I wish I could get out and do more photos like this, but now that Alan is working in the Central Valley, Monday through Friday,  time for photography is completely different! Because of my Fibromyalgia, driving myself around in foggy weather isn't always feasible, but on the days I can get out, I enjoy it very much! I had a good time doing the photos as we drove, I love the challenge of doing photographs on the run. I have less time to think about the shot, so I rely more on instinct. 

Yesterday, I did one set in color, and one set in black and white, based on the scene and density of the fog. I am hoping to be able to do more photos along the Altamont before the end of the month, but we will have to see. There is a heavy storm due in later today, and that will have an affect on the trees and leaves, so I may just stay local. Winds in the Bay Area are supposed to gust to 50 miles an hour in some places, so like I said, we will just have to see! But for now, the photo above is from part one of this series, in a couple days I will post the black and white photos!

Stay Tuned! 

 Leaf Of The Day

December 15th, 2016

Mood: Creative

~Me :)