El Dorado Nature Center, Long Beach

One of my favorite things to do with my wife is to walk around the El Dorado Nature Center trails. When I first came out to California a couple years ago, I was super homesick. It got so bad that I contemplated moving back. It was rough on both of us. I was born and raised in the country with lots of green and wildlife all around. You don't get that so much here. She brought me to the nature center to try and help ease my mind and make life more enjoyable. She's good! It really helped and now it's one of my favorite places to go. I can get 'lost' in there. It's really a wonderful place to see animals, be away from traffic and relax.

We walked the nature center trails on Sunday morning. Some of the trails were closed because of two pairs of Coopers Hawks that were nesting. I really wanted to get some photos of them, but getting dive bombed by a predatory bird... ahhh, no. It was very hot and I felt so bad for Kymberli. Being 4 months pregnant, walking in the heat and dealing with an overzealous nature-loving husband can take its toll. Yet, she was pretty patient. We both got some great shots and I am sure she'll post some in the next few days. Here are some of mine. Of course there is a story with each, but I'll tell them quickly.

This rabbit stayed put for quite some time (3 minutes or so) and was super alert.




I have to say that I love this image. Incredibly sharp and I love Great Blue Herons. They are just so strong looking and they remind me of home.




A young couple stopped me and told me I HAD to take a picture of this beehive. This photo doesn't even do it justice. It was about 3 feet tall and there were hundreds of bees. they were keeping to themselves, too. I think bees are cool looking and an amazing creature, but we just don't get along. I was going to sneak in a bit closer and decided I didn't want to get stung.

El Dorado Park East, Long Beach

Nature is one of my best friends. I love being around nature. There is something about being away from people & traffic and just opening your mind to what God has to show you that makes you smile. I also have the good fortune of having good friends, too. My friend, Garth, graciously allowed me to borrow his 300mm f/2.8 for this weekend so I could test it out and do a bit of nature shooting. I have been in the market for a good piece of glass for a while, but spending $5,000 on a lens isn't really an option. Priority #1 is Baby Q and Momma Q.

I got home last night and had the opportunity to head right over to El Dorado and see what I could see. It's great when you have good equipment and can reach out and touch something. Here are some of my shots from last night. Some have been cropped, but not too much. Sharpening and a 20% color pop makes them stand out. Let me know what you think. Any constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. They were all shot on shutter priority and completely manual focus. No AF because it doesn't compute with my camera. I have much to learn, but I don't think I did too bad with it.

El Dorado Park West, Long Beach

Yesterday, I picked up my gear and drove a mile from my house to El Dorado Park West. This is a place that any birder would love - provided they don't mind seeing ducks, geese, herons, crows and the occasional pigeon. I like going there because it's close and free. The pond is in desperate need of cleaning, but people feed the ducks so much that it's pretty polluted. I saw one poor goose with swollen feet. No idea what it was from, but I felt bad for the poor guy.

Took a walk around and saw some great birds and animals. Here are a few of the shots from last evening.




This swan was tearing up grass in defiance of where I was standing. being the ballsy guy I am, I crept a bit closer until he threw his head up and hissed. Yep, time to move on, Quacky. I went around him and got low to the ground and got this shot. He was all about relaxing and I was in his space.

Collage for Brian and Jenna

Brian and Jenna Engagement Session at Angels Stadium

Today was one of those days when you just luck out. We hit every red light light on the way to our photo session and I just kept smiling and saying "Thank you, God, for these red lights." You see, we couldn't let our attitude go bad because we had a photo session with Brian and Jenna to celebrate their engagement. AND, it just happened to be at Angels Stadium in Anaheim.

First, let me say thank you to Brian and Jenna for allowing us to take their photos. We had a blast with you two. We saw from the minute we met you guys that you were in love and were going to have fun with this shoot. Thanks to Cassie at Angels Stadium for guiding us around and helping us hit the best places.

This was a first for Kymberli and I and I have to say I was in a state of fascination for a bit when we got to set foot on the field with NO ONE around. Quiet, smell of the grass and the shutter snapping away. It was great. Between the on field antics, the bullpen, the rocks, the press box - we were all over and loved it! Brian and Jenna were great sports and we can't wait to photograph their wedding, too!!

Here are four of my favorites from today. There is one that has two color settings. I played around with the shot of Brian in the bullpen. It was such a cool shot and I have to say that I like the black and white with the color. It pops! We hope you two enjoy these as much as we did taking them!

Irvine Ranch Conservancy - Santiago Wildfire Photo Walk

Nature is an amazing thing. Today we got to go on a photo walk with the Long Beach Photo Club down to the Irvine Ranch Conservancy to see the remnants and regrowth of the terrible Santiago Wildfire. I did not know what to expect and will admit I was hesitant when we arrived. Mainly because some photographers can be stuffy and not be social. Not the case today!! I went right up and introduced my wife and I to a few people and then the others came up to us. We had a total of 9 people there, including our guide Kelly.

Kelly was a fantastic guide. She allowed us to take pictures at our own pace, gave us the history, showed us plants and animals and was super, super mellow. Thank you, Kelly!! Thanks to Cat for setting this whole trip up, too. Great job all around!

I told Kymberli that I would pray to have the clouds stay out all day so it wouldn't get too hot and God was listening. It stayed cloudy 98% of the time and there was a nice breeze blowing. We had to hike up to some peaks, but it was well worth it. We got to see a mule deer buck across the peak, a beautiful landscape view of The Sinks and some crazy burn areas. Nasty ants, a beehive in a tree and a potato bug that has a mean bite.

One of the best parts was that I love snakes. I think they are an awesome creature. I mentioned to one of the guy that I hoped to see a rattler sticking his head out somewhere for a photo-op. Not 3 minutes later I hear Kymberli say(who was up ahead with most of the group), "Honey there's a snake over here!" She said it so calmly and she was right. It was a very large garter snake. i have seen big ones, but he was 4 feet long. Incredible!! Of all the people to find the snake, she did. And she nearly stepped on him!! She had been taking a photo of a prickly-pear cactus when she looked down and there he was.

Take a look at the fun we had today!

The mother hummingbird kept an eye on us as we approached.












Out of all I saw, this may have been the coolest. One of the guys, Jim, pointed this out. It is a cactus that was scorched and cracked open. Yet, if you look at it, there are new shoots popping out all over where it continues to grow. Amazing, huh?



This was cool, too. I had to get close to this beehive, because everyone who knows me knows I hate bees. I think they are awesome, but I have been stung too many times to like them. :)



I cannot wait to go do this again!

Angeles National Forest

My buddy, Steve, and I went to the Angeles National Forest last weekend to do some scouting. We drove up not so bright and early (4am) and got to the mountains around 6am. We ran late and got there as the sun was coming up, but I was able to get some good photos. We saw lots of wildlife. Pygmy rabbits, mule deer, blue birds, quail and he even saw a bobcat. i didn't get to see it because I was driving and it was on his side of the truck. Bummer! I can't wait to go again, but the drive kills me. It's a long, long day going up there, but I do love the photo ops.




If there is one thing any of my friends will tell you I hate... it's litterbugs. Whether it be cigarette butts, a can, a paper wrapper... it all ticks me off when someone is either lazy or has blatant disregard for the environment. Well, some idiot decided to leave his mark in the forest by leaving this can.



I wanted to put it in the truck and bring it back to get it out of the woods, but Steve mentioned that spiders like to make nests in there. I figured my wife would not like creepy crawlies in her truck, so i smashed the can down and left it near a tree. It seriously pained me to leave it there. Next time I go I will bring a garbage bag to put stuff in and leave it in the back of the truck.

Independence Day Celebration

A big thanks to our troops who brave everything to give protect our freedom. Thank you.

Yesterday, Kymberli and I got to go to the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base by our house to check out the 4th of July festivities. We went to check it out, see the fireworks and relax. We took our cameras, but mainly walked around and talked.

We decided to view the fireworks from her truck and we had great look at them. Here are 4 of my favorite photos from yesterday. The only thing missing is the big noise following each one! I do have to say that I get giddy when I hear how many people leave their alarms on in their cars when the fireworks set them off so often. I was laughing constantly like a little kid.

Hope you enjoy the photos. Tomorrow I'll be heading to the Angelels National Forest and I hope to get a few more landscape shots.