LadyKatesPhotography's photos- powered by SmugMug

Your Bio

"TO GENERATE AND PROMOTE JOY!"

Welcome! Come on in and let's get acquainted!

I am experiencing the blessing of living within the beautiful California Central Coast, just outside of San Luis Obispo.

This home for my photography is "under construction." I will be making changes to the site and adding photos to these galleries on a daily basis, so please come by every so often to see what's new.

I will appreciate any comments and/or critiques; click the 'add comments' at the bottom left of the page with the photo which you've opened. You can also vote on the photos, if you choose; drag your pointer onto the enlarged image on the right; a box will appear on the top right which allows the voting process. Just click either yea-or-nay!

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Thank you for visiting , and I hope you enjoy the photos presented here!

"Live. Learn. Laugh. Love."

Please don't hesitate to Email me with any comments and/or questions; would love to hear from you !

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Most Popular Photos

April 28

Yes....I missed uploading a DP for yesterday! By the time we finished that 24 hrs. of frivilous fun in the desert area near Ridgecrest (California), I was too tired to tend to my DP; I'm admitting it!!
Had another outstanding day today; ending our trip by arriving in our own little hometown at sunset!
This is what we were watching while driving the last couple of miles down the highway! SPECTACULAR!! What a "welcome home"! Took the first available offramp in order to catch this shot!! (Tough choice, though! This was right after a double rainbow which we also pulled over for!!)

We did spend some discussion as to how difficult it was going to be to choose a DP for yesterday, and today!! Over the next several days, I will be using shots from this trip as DP's, as I add photos to the gallery.

November 22

*********************************** "Venison Soup?" ****************************************

This IS a REAL LIFE photograph!!
This was happening during one of those few times when I did not have my camera with me; our neighbor ran in to grab his camera, then handed it to me, while he went to get a rope!

May 11

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, LADIES!
Blessings to you and yours!

Today I visited with my neighbors, Chuck and Lisa. I found these cuties amongst their wonderful landscape!

May 13

Bubbles In Blue

I extend my deep gratitude to this community of wonderful, talented 'Kindred Spirits' for your comments on my photos! Thank you for taking that time and offering the compliments, encouragement and fun!

November 5

My 'Photo time' today was spent with the chickens!!
I've been adding to the gallery: "Proud and Propitious Poultry"?!
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Let's begin the competition: "This photo is begging for a caption!!"
(Idea credit given to Johnloguk!)

June 1
The Champion

I'll begin creating a new gallery tomorrow morning!
Not quite sure what title to give the gallery; "Proud and Propitious Poultry"?!

April 11

Well, this isn't a Bunny but HAPPY EASTER anyway!!

Last evening I noticed one of the (Rufus?) Hummingbirds perched on the feeder. I walked to the glass sliding door window, and it continued to sit there, when usually they fly off as soon as I approach the window. I slowly slid open the door, and it stayed there. I stuck my head out the door and it continued to stay. I slowly went back in to fetch the camera, telling my husband that the Hummingbird was behaving much differently and maybe I had an opportunity here. I slowly went back out the door, with the camera ready and it let me take a couple of (flash) shots; moving closer toward the feeder I was able to take a couple more shots, as it stayed perched, and all fluffed up. I got even closer--I was now about 4 ft. from the feeder, taking a few more shots, when my husband came to the door, saying "I think it is trying to tell us that it's buddy is having problems.....there's one inside our bedroom!"

As I started past the feeder, toward our bedroom door on the deck, the bird at the feeder took off! I was relieved, thinking something was wrong with it.

We have no idea how long the other one had been stuck in our bedroom. We have a vaulted ceiling and it had found a rod to rest on, at the highest side, and each time it tried to fly, it just kept buzzing around, knocking against the ceiling, then going back to the rod. My husband brought in our tallest two-legged ladder, took a baseball cap, and headed up. The bird tried several more times to fly, but after bumping into the ceiling again and again, it came back to the rod and sat still while he placed the hat slowly over the bird, then using his other hand he gently closed the material of the hat around the bird. We took it outside, turned the hat upside down and opened it. The little hummer just sat there. I reached in and was stroking its back, while it was looking at us. I reached in, cupped the bird in my hand and took it over to the feeder. It was tiny; only taking up about 2/3 of my palm. As soon as it's feet touched the feeder, it immediately began eating. It ate and sat, and ate and sat, for about 15 minutes, not being bothered by me using the camera, with the lens being
about 3 feet from her(?). After those @ 15 min, she was well enough to fly off!! : ) : )
Swear to goodness, I believe my husband was right in that the first one was letting us know that something was wrong, and it needed to get our attention!

L: The Attention-Getter, R: The Captive..... free, at last!!!!

October 28

Happy Autumn!

July 3

I'm getting closer to that 'hard-to-manage Hummer shot!!! This lil' cutie and I dined together this evening out on the deck!!
I was not in 'ready position, with camera in hand'; my plan didn't include a hummingbird practice session tonight. But I was easily derailed when she kept coming back to the feeder, and didn't seem to be bothered by movement on my part. She returned very soon after I had come back out with the camera.
This particular feeder is usually being watched over by a very territorial male, who does not like being photographed! However, his little girlfriend here was posing! I just need to figure out how to get focused shots!? I am curious as to where he was, and why she was being allowed so much time at the feeder?
Anyone care to offer suggestions re: focus issues, I'd be very appreciative!
BTW: This is a fairly tight crop, with slight increase in constrast after B&W conversion.

Hey...KurtPreston!! Tonight, I didn't even catch a glimpse of that 'rare, neon, all electric hummer'!

I started a new gallery for Hummingbirds

November 19

**************Full Moon Rising Over Half Dome*****************

Last week, my sister and I spent several days absorbed in the majesty of Yosemite! We were a touch envious that we didn't get the snow which Micalngelo did during his recent visit there, but seeing as we were camping, I'm sure we were more comfortable without that experience!

The icing on our cake was the full moon! I was really excited with the idea of attempting to get some photos of that beautiful moon rising alongside Half Dome! I give my sister a lot of credit for sticking it out with me on the night of the actual 'full' moon. We were at the location of choice a little earlier than we could have, thus, we had to wait a while...and it was getting colder by the minute!! We stood, swayed, pranced, danced, sang, fidgeted, watched coyotes get a touch too close....just trying to keep warm!!
Three nights later, I set out to try again at a different location, with my sister graciously offering to "stay, and guard our campsite!"
What I experienced over the next three hours was one of 'life's most memorable'!! It was as if I had Yosemite Valley TOTALLY TO MYSELF.
The sky was glittering with stars; the air was crisp and intoxicating with the wonderful mountain aromas; the sounds were peacefully melodious!
I watched the sky to the left of Half Dome as it began to glow brighter and brighter , before the moon finally showed its face from behind mountain silhouettes. As the moon rose higher, the brighter the Valley became! 'Twas absolutely beautiful and very soul-nourishing!

My alone time was also an intense technical practice session with my camera. (Plus the fact that I had broken my tripod during the previous 'full moon session')

Johnloguk......you'll be proud! I thought of you, and your rucsac; I took an extra knitted scarf with me! It wads up any which way you want it to, as long as you can find something to place it on!! Worked like a champ!

Dedman......you'll be proud, too! I thought of you as I had to lay down on my belly, in the cold dirt, to get the shot of The Chapel (it's in my Contender gallery) because the only thing I found to wad the scarf on (as a tripod) was a (low) rock!!

I've included a few more shots from the Full Moon sessions in
my Contender gallery
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"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread,
places to play in and pray in,
where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike." John Muir

February 25

Our son, Steven, presented me with the gift of this Pretty Purple Poultry Pen!! He handed it to me saying "I saw this in a store today, and it reminded me of you!" ROFLMAO !!!!
"Well, somehow that just has to be my photo for today!!"

Later this afternoon, I was admiring the first of my Daffodils (through the camera lens!), thinking one of those would be my DP!

Then, while the sunset was still high, I was nudged with the thought of sharing both of them....together!

I added a couple more in my Contender gallery.

March 14

Late this afternoon, I was thinking about a DP for today and decided to find y'all another example of what some of our local trees are looking like right now! Chose to drive eastward a few minutes out of town so that where ever I found a pretty cluster of trees, the photo wouldn't be cluttered with storefronts, telephone poles, houses, etc. This is the entrance to one of our local B & B's:
Hidden Hills Bed & Breakfast

May 23

Snorkeling in Ontario!?
What do you say, Ladies?! Maybe we should start a new trend!?

Obviously, God doesn't think lipstick should just be shades of red and pink!!

January 9

I'm mostly recuperated from the wedding, but in order to catch up a bit, I haven't allowed myself any type of 'photo time' for several days; I haven't taken any new shots and I've missed my interactions here in this DP community!

In January of '07, a girlfriend called me one night telling me of this frozen fountain she had just seen. I left very early the next day to get some shots in the morning light. Very seldom does it get cold enough around here to cause something like this!

Shortly after I took this, I had it enlarged and was looking at it while still in the store. A woman came over saying, "Is that a wedding cake?"

The Tuner (Tooner) Challenge...11/03/08
The Challenge: Create a photo with your interpretation of the word, "Tuner (Tooner)."
The Participants: Kre8ive, John (300m), Bill Pador, Karina Boese, jawsnap, Creative Deviance, and myself.
The Result: "Our Lil' Tuner"

May 7

OK, Hillary! Back at ya.....but I like this one of you better!!

That really was fun to be laying on the lawn taking photos of each other! Good idea, Monica! Looking forward to posting one of Darron and Robin, watching us!!

Instead of working on more of my S.F. shots today, I was distracted by a wedding I was commissioned to shoot! Just got home, am ready to rest my tired body and 'photo time' for the next couple of days will probably be to process the wedding shots!
I'm a touch overwhelmed with photos right now, but I do love it!! And I will keep working on 'our gallery'! I promise!

Make sure you show this to your honey!!

May 2

There's nothing quite like going for a stroll along Pier 39 in San Francisco, with a group of photography/camera junkies!!

L to R:
Hillary (Hillary Yasmer Shemin), Kamryn (Lady Kates daughter), Katchinyakandid (Monica), Robin and Darron (RandD)

October 27

OK! Here's my version of 'Fall Colors'.

Have to really keep a lookout for such, here in the Central Coastal area of California. The bright and colorful Fall foilage is not plentiful!

This IS Poison Oak; Nasty but Beautiful !

June 10

Day 2-Same Gladiola stalk as yesterday's DP, 21 hours later. This is SOOC, in late afternoon sunlight. The shot from yesterday was taken after dark, with flash.

June 14

Hey....Agilitypics....this one's for you!

Back to Sequoia Natl. Park - - -
While we were standing in complete awe of the magnitude and magnificience of this incredible Sequoia tree, we met this darling couple from Belguim. During a nice visit, they asked me to take a picture of the two of them with their camera. I then asked permission to take some shots of them w/my camera, and explained the DP community. I told them of Agilitypics, and that I would direct this post to him!

They are: Lien VanDuffel and Benny Janssens
We had already given the borrowed pen back to its owner, when I asked what town they were from. They pronounced it, and when I knew I wouldn't remember that, they told me that the name would translate to "Sunnyville"?

Lien and Benny: We really enjoyed our visit with you, and hope that you did also manage to visit Yosemite!?
Here's a link to Agilitypics; he lives in the town of Ogy: http://agilitypics.smugmug.com/

The General Sherman
Heralded as "the world's largest living organism", it has a base circumference of 102 ft, a diameter of 36 1/2ft, is 274 feet tall and has its first major branch 130 ft. above the ground. This first branch has a diameter, at its connection to the tree trunk, of 7 ft! The tree's trunk weighs about 1400 tons and contains enouch wood to build 40 or more houses. (Although we never found info with an approimate square footage that they were calculating these houses into their formula with).
Despite its estimated age of 2300 - 2700 years, the General Sherman Tree is growing vigorously. Every year, the General sherman grows enough new wood to mae a 60-foot-tall tree of usual proportions. The tree was named in 1879 by James Wolverton after the general under whom he had served during the Civil War.

In all the world, Sequoias grow naturally only on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, most often between 5,000 and 7,000 feet of elevation. There are some 75 groves in all. Chemicals in the wood and bark provide resistance to insects and fungi, and thick bark insulates them from most fire. The main cause of Sequoia deaths is toppling. They have a shallow root system, with no taproot. Soil moisture, root damage, and strong winds can lead to toppling.

Two shot panorama, stacked horizontally --- And, no! I do not know why I did not also take the third shot which would have incuded the top of this beautiful giant!?!?

April 21

After my last 4 DP's, it was an absolute must to include one of these!
That's me, towards the left, sitting at the top of Waipo'o Falls: a mere 800 --plus--feet to the valley floor!
Another shot taken by my husband.
A truly spectacular place!

Check out another view from across this canyon, looking over towards where I am sitting here, at the top of the smaller (middle) falls.

September 9

The Exceptional Sign, On Pier 39!!

San Francisco!

April 15

No.....I was NOT the passenger in this vehicle! And the guy behind me apparently didn't like the fact that I was taking pictures!
"Damn tourists!"

I took this shot last September, and have a GREAT reason to be posting it tonight!!
We're posting an invite; Hillary and Monica (katchinyakandid) and I are meeting up for a day of play in San Francisco soon! Yay!

We would like to extend an invite to any other S'Muggers who would like to join us on Thursday, April 30!
Get in touch with whichever of us if you can come out to play! Then, we can coordinate times and places----we've got things to do, places to go and laughs to be had!

This is going to be soooo much fun!

May 12

Prestigious, preposterous and provacative pet portrait of pretty, perspicacious pooch;
pensively and positively pondering this pose after proudly putting on her perfect pearls,
while presumably prospering pretentiously with potent presence.

Choosing the DP for today was very difficult! Check out another choice in my Contender gallery

January 13

What's your guess?! This is 'almost' SOOC! I added a slight touch of contrast and a small bevel edge.
Offer your ideas as a comment before you check my contender gallery for the answer!
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Tomorrow morning I'm heading up to San Jose for a visit with my daughter and her fiancee; I'm looking forward to meeting my future in-laws while they're visiting from Idaho.
Yes! We have another wedding coming up in November!

May Day!!

Yesterday was fabulous!! I thoroughly enjoyed a S'Mugger get-together! It was soooo much fun! Yay!

My daughter and I drove to a BART station in Berkeley to meet up with Hillary and Monica (Katchinyakandid). It was like meeting up with friends that we just hadn't seen in a long time!

We then headed to the SmugMug Headquarters, in Mountain View, and met up with Darron and Robin (RandD). Again, it was like getting to see long-time friends! Hillary had been in contact with Toni, at SM HQ, and she had extended an invitation for us to drop by for a tour. (We DID dress up for the occasion!) Toni was wonderful and very gracious with her time and information. We also got to meet five of the 'tech gurus', and they were also friendly, accommodating and fun! The Headquarters is very cool in its set-up--and as we would expect--there were some OUTSTANDING photographs displayed, several of which had been printed into HUGE wall murals-----WOW!
Thank you, Toni and crew for your hospitality!

As Toni was leading us to the door to go in, I suggested a group shot in front of the building, asking Toni to use my camera (which I hadn't taken out of the bag until that parking lot)------next, I experienced what could be referred to as one of 'my most embarrassing moments'!! IT WAS NOT LOADED WITH A MEMORY CARD! And now we are walking into the 'Headquarters' and my camera has no ammo!! I did fix that problem, soon, but missed many shots in the meantime!

This shot was taken by my daughter as we were leaving! I'm still at her house; using her PC, and the only thing I managed to do with the tiny photo program I found was to slightly crop this shot!

We then headed to Pier 39 in San Francisco, and had a great time leisurely having lunch and strolling the area! Don't know how many times people asked if we were a camera club? Photography class? How much is all that equipment worth? Will you take our photo for us?

With five of us 'Kindred Spirits', unrestricted time and no agenda, plenty of equipment and lots of memory, and flowing creativity, it was really funny how long it would take us to advance even the next fifty feet down that pier!! We complimented my daughter quite a few times for how patient she was! "Oh, like I didn't know this was going to happen?! This is like walking along with five of my mom!" She told me on the way home that one of the reasons she wanted to go was to watch me get to experience time with four others that behave much like I do, certainly re: that particular passion!

Thanks soooo much to you other 'Kindred Spirits' for our time together! I must say, the hours raced by much too quickly, and hopefully we'll make arrangements for another meeting-of-the-minds, soon!!
BTW: we did get Kamryn to where she needed to be with plenty of time to spare! I had told her we'd have her there by 8:30; it was 8:28 when we arrived!

I was hoping to have started the gallery that will house the rest of these photos, but I haven't managed to get my laptop to connect to their internet. Will probably have to wait until I get home for that!

Special thanks to you, Hillary, for setting this plan into action! You definitely ARE the SmugMug PR Queen! Hail, to the Queen!

L to R: myself, Monica, Darron, Robin and Hillary.

April 10

Hey......Kurt Preston, this one is for you!

This is one of our new friends in Kauai!
After this one joined us for breakfast, lunch and dinner several times, we chose to give our friend a name!
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KurtPreston---one of our resident bird encyclopedias---offered this info:
"Red Crested Cardinal (also called the Brazilian Cardinal)... "

January 21

I was adding to my Hummingbird gallery this evening.

August 16

This little cutie, and two of her buddies were frequenting the feeder while my husband and I were having dinner outside on the patio.
After I came out with the camera, the colorful, red-headed male wouldn't come back !

18-135 lens
Substantially cropped
PS posterizing effect

February 6

I just couldn't decide! So I have three for today!

This was the spectacular show which I witnessed from my living room windows
as I began my day!
Atascadero, California

P.S. This is God's idea of 'effects'; not those of PhotoShop!!

January 10

Last night I noticed a recent DP which MyKey posted:
(http://mykey.smugmug.com/popular/4/450188587_rtkyk#450188587_rtkyk) re: the plans we're making for our upcoming "Great Rock-Hunting Expedition"!

I took this photo, of 'MyKey-the photographer-taking a photo', during our trip last March; we had just experienced sunrise in Spangler Hills. This shot is perfectly illustrating a decision which we recently arrived upon re: our adventure for this year.
We are not taking a U-Haul this time; we're going to bring home photos instead of (so many!) rocks!!

We're REALLY looking forward to the experience!

*****Maybe we should request that MyKey post whatever shot she was capturing here, while prone in the desert sand!?!?*****

The Horn CCCAChallenge...12/22/08
The Challenge: Show us your interpretation of the word, "Horn."
The Participants: Kre8ive, John (300m), Bill Pador, Karina Boese, Johnloguk, Creative Deviance, The Curious Camel, MyKey, Karina Boese, Trevlan, and myself.
The Result: Horn(s), AKA: Antler(s)
Here are two of the herd(?) that frequents our property. I was standing on the walkway close to our front door looking uphill. This is actually the slope; I was holding the camera straight.

For this particular weekly challenge, I have to include the euphemism that for a while now, these two 'studmuffins' also happen to be very horn(y)!!
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This is not the image my creative self was thinking of for this challenge. However, my time this week had to be spent elsewhere, knowing that I had several shots in my photo files which I could choose from, if need be!

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I'll use this image as an opportunity to provide an update on 'Jane Doe':
These two bucks are two of the reasons we were protecting her; she couldn't get away from them.
A couple of times, one of these boys jumped the fence, into the area we had her in, and we had to chase him off.
Several days ago, we called authorities...again... and the decision was agreed upon to euthanize Jane. It was a tough, but humane decision; she wasn't improving, and we think she had also gone blind in both eyes.

August 19

I found that they even grow wild out in the yard, in Hawaii !!!
But what's with the filigree hat and little lace skirt?!?! Huummm!!??

Make sure and check out the Siamese Twins which I posted in my Contender Gallery!
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Dictyophora duplicata, the veiled stinkhorn or the netted stinkhorn

Dictyophora duplicata is a member of the class Gasteromycetes (the stomach fungi).
Gasteromycetes-- the hymenium is exposed after the spores mature. This class includes the stinkhorns.

The common name stinkhorn for this fungus is very appropriate. The fruiting body begins as an "egg" stage, from which the phallic-looking fruiting body emerges over the course of just a few hours.
The stinkhorns are all members of the order Phallales. All member of this order produce a stinking mass of spores at some point. The genera and species are differentiated on the basis of what kind of fruiting bodies they produce and where they bear their spores on the fruiting body. Dictyophora and Phallus species have a pileus differentiated at the top of the stalk. Dictyophora species all have a veil-like structure hanging down, while Phallus species lack the veil. Phallus impudicus is probably the most famous of the stinkhorns-- it certainly has the most descriptive name!

Surprisingly there are some human uses for members of the Phallales. You're probably not going to believe this, but some of these members of the Phallales, especially Phallus and Dictyophora are considered a delicacy in China! As you might guess (especially if you're familiar with the doctrine of signatures, where the ailment cured by an organism is related to its shape), you won't be surprised that both of these are considered aphrodisiacs! Sometimes they are eaten in the egg stage, and sometimes they are eaten after maturity, after the spore mass is removed. They are even cultivated and sold in stores in China, either fresh or dried.

January 12

'kubben'........this one's for you!

I took this shot at the Ventura Seaside Feather Fanciers Poultry Show in '07 !

June 12

CuriousCamel: this one is for you !!

While visiting Aruba, a couple of years ago, I spent some wonderfully peaceful time at 'The Butterfly Farm'. There were many different varieties; each with their own delicate and colorful beauty!
I was there in December; apparently Christmas is 'the season' for the Aruban butterflies!!!
As Dreamhat so eloquently stated: "the Dance of Life"!
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I included 'Day 4/Gladiola' in my Contender gallery

December 2

Meet Rita!! Rita's a nice kitty!

Shutterbuglady.....this one's for you!

A close friend is the Real Estate Agent on a foreclosed-upon local house. This kitty was one of the many things the people left behind when they moved out. I was with my friend recently when she had to stop by the house, which is when I first noticed the kitty; skinny and love-starved! I instantly took to her; she really is a sweetheart! My wonderful husband agreed that I could bring her home, and at least for the time being, act as a foster home. He also liked her and said if she adapts to life here with our dog and cat, that he wouldn't mind keeping her.
When we let her in the house again tonight (she's been staying in my Barber Shop) for a short while, I was trying to get a few photos of her (the upper image), when my husband brought our cat into the room so that they could meet--for the second time (lower image)!! The first time they met (they're both females), I had them both in carriers and faced the doors towards each other. At first tonight, our cat was seemingly unbothered and wanted to go over to Rita, until she was offered the greeting of the lower image! (Fascinating what the flash did to the eyes!)

Shutterbuglady....I need your advice!!

BTW: the foreclosed house is on Santa Margarita Rd.

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and....Yes, my neighbors and I are still taking care of the doe (Jane). We fenced off a section of their yard for her. She seems better, but still doesn't move around much, or quickly. She eats carrots and apples out of our hands and we've discussed the possibility of her being pregnant....huuummm?!

June 14

"I can see you!"

On May 17, I was working at my computer, and started hearing some little scratching noise coming from the far corner. I was thinking it was a mouse which I was going to be bothered by having to do something about it! Long story shorter, I finally found this potato bug inbetween some of my big sheets of scrapbooking papers. I gathered him up and was about to toss him out the window, when the thought came to me that since I was working on Smug Mug, he would be a great DP, for either that night, or save him for a night when I needed a shot to upload.
I set him on my desk and right beyond him was this pair of eyes staring at him. I moved the eyes a touch closer for better comp!

There is a story that goes along with these beautiful eyes! I'll save that for another DP!

P.S. I learned from this little photo session that these little creatures 'play dead'! Except for the little windshield wiper type thing by his eye, on the right side....those still move as he's imitating a dead bug!

February 1

'Wearable Art'

Today is the one year anniversary of my Daily Photo project!!!
I am pleased with the photo journal for 2008 which I've created, even though I didn't adhere to posting 'daily'! (To those of you that do manage to post daily, I give you a lot of credit!)

This has been a most wonderful experience, in many ways! The interaction with like-minded souls has been fabulous! Thank you for the wonderful support, encouragement, education and fun!!
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This afternoon I did another shoot for a favorite Client! During the process, I asked for permission to use one of the images for my DP, telling her how great I thought it would be for this to be my Anniversary post! Thank you, Rebecca!
I am excited to share this, so that many more people can become aware of this young woman/artist and her tremendous talents!
Rebecca Wendlandt is a designer based in Davis, California, who specializes in wearable art and one-of-a-kind fashion design.
This particular design was created for a specific competition. She literally completed the construction about 1 1/2 hrs. before we did the shoot! Also doing her own modeling, she is delightful and inspiring; definitely a woman of many talents, skills and interests!

Treat yourself to a cruise through her website to view some of her incredible creations.
www.rebeccawendlandt.com

I finally began uploading a gallery of our work together:
Rebecca Wendlandt -- Wearable Art and Fashion Design

May 19

Yes!! I love it when a (spontaneous) plan comes together, bringing you the previously mentioned surprise!
My son, Travis, let me know he was flying into Ontario on Tuesday, for a Wednesday job interview. Of course I set about to reconfigure my schedule to come spend the afternoon and night with him. However, he let me know that he would need about two hours for 'work' time. Huummmm..........I called Andrea Kaus (ChaosGraphics) to see if she could come out to play for a while! We also tried to coordinate with CreativeDeviance, but time was just a touch too constricted for that :( Kelly......we WILL be making some other kind of arrangements, soon :)

Have certainly loved my visit with Travis, and the time spent with Andrea was wonderful !
She was such a sport re: the Tiaras and Boas (I came around the corner when we first saw each other, saying that I didn't want to let her down!) and a great hostess -- this is her turf -- not mine!, a very personable and fun gal, with many talents! Again, it was like meeting up with a long time friend that I just hadn't seen for quite a while.

She took me to a Wild West little town (here in the middle of metropolis ) so we could go to the Saddle Sore Saloon! YeeHaw!
I had a great time, Andrea! Thank you!

P.S. Thanks, Hillary...for the inspiration to make contact w/other S'Muggers! This IS fun!
Andrea and I chatted about setting up something w/others; certainly including you?!?!

May 14

Yesterday I was uploading more images into my S'Muggers in San Francisco gallery.
This is my favorite 'Still-Life' image from that day.

As a double DP, please click on the link, and you'll find a GREAT portrait of Darron (RandD)!
And next to that one is a very fun portrait of Monica (Katchinyakandid)!

October 1

The view this evening, from one of my chairs on our back deck, looking eastward.

(I was going to post another image of that gorgeous storefront window in Capitola. However, I was watching the clouds as they were becoming even more beautiful so I put the rest of dinner preparations on hold for a little while and enjoyed the splendor---with camera in hand!)

This evening's view from another of our sitting areas can be seen here.

April 19

Today, I was helping to clear out and clean up my Dad's house.
We were almost ready to leave for the night, when the thought of
my DP entered my otherwise filled mind! I looked around for a while for some interesting subject matter and finally decided upon this scene. (I moved nothing; this is as it was!)

This really was a cooperative effort; a SmugMug buddy of mine happens to live next door and was visiting when I began my search for something to photograph! He came up with the idea to shine a flashlight above her praying hands!
Great idea, Al ! Was fun working with you!
Check out Al's site; in particular, he does great action shots!
alsphotoprojects

March 27

This explains my being M.I.A. ! This is where I just spent 10 wonderful days of R & R !

My husband and I had plans to leave two days after the Raul Malo concert.
I chose to leave the laptop at home, and stay away from internet availability; today is the first day I've been near my computer for quite awhile now. I must admit that I've missed this DP community! I've missed all of the incredible photography presented by you very talented and creative S'Muggers, and missed updates on many of you!!

We certainly enjoyed our time away together in such a beautiful Paradise.
Had more clouds, winds and rain than sun, but that actually was condusive to more R & R. We stayed the first half of our time on the North side, past Hanalei, at Kepuhi Point, with the above pictured Kanaha Beach as part of our front yard! We spent the second half on the South side, at Poipu. The above pictured Shipwreck Beach was an area just south of us. We did manage to get around quite a bit, went on a couple of awesome--kick-ass--hikes and OMG......the photos I have to sort through and choose from!! I'll probably be posting quite a few of them! I highly commend my husband for being so very patient with me and my passion for photos! He's going to use one of them on his new business cards, so I was on at least one particular mission!

The Shipwreck Beach image is a three-shot pano and Kanaha Beach is a two shot pano.

The Coffee Challenge...01/12/09
The Challenge: Show us your interpretation of the word, "Coffee."
The Participants: Kre8ive, John (300m), Bill Pador, Karina Boese, Johnloguk, Creative Deviance, The Curious Camel, MyKey, Trevlan, Fotoeffects, Hillary, and myself.
The Result: What's YOUR preference? "I'll take a Carmel Latte`, please!"
************************************************************************************************************************
I took this shot while meeting MyKey at my favorite local coffee house:
Malibu Brew Coffee
6490 El Camino Real
Atascadero, CA
My thanks to owners, Paul and his darling wife!!

An alternate submission for this callenge--MyKey's favorite local coffee cafe-- is in my Contender gallery.
**********************************************************************************************************************
P.S. I never look at the other 'challenge' submissions until after I've posted mine; now I'm checking out the others.....this is so much fun! LOVE all the different interpretations!!

The Plane (or Plain) Challenge...12/01/08
The Challenge: Create a photo with your interpretation of the word "Plane" (or "Plain").
The Participants: Kre8ive, John (300m), Bill Pador, Karina Boese, Johnloguk, Creative Deviance, The Curious Camel, and myself.
The Result: "Just A Plain Parking Place"

******************************************************************************************************************************************
(Because I had a hard time choosing!) Alternatives:

"Better Than Plain Air Mail"

"Just Some Plain Information"

"The Plane Is Leaving"

October 26

Meet 'Beatrice and Butthead'! Here's my version of a 'punkin' shot' !

A couple of years ago, at the beginning of October, I had just recently seen a photo similar to this! LMAO, I decided to create something like that in our yard....unbenounced to my husband!
It took me a couple of days to round up all that I would need; gathering from a thrift store, the Feed & Grain (for bale of hay) and of course, a Pumpkin Patch!
After figuring out the how-to's of the assembly, I chose the next day to build my new buddies! I patiently waited until my husband left for work, then started taking all the needed project pieces to the 'just perfect' location on the side of our driveway.

It was really funny when our neighbor pulled in, as I was about 3/4 done!
He actually came over and asked the "What the *&$% are you up to now!?!?"

So, gentlemen, just imagine: I situated these cuties so that the headlights of my husband's car would shine right on them as he made the final curve up the driveway that night!!
We certainly shared some good laughs during dinner! We left them there until early November!

FYI: Puts a whole different twist on going pumpkin shoppin'!!
I was by myself when I went to the Pumpkin Patch. Probably a good thing! I caught myself ROFLMAO !!

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