March 3

Well today I finally took a photo field trip, which I haven't done all winter.  I set my alarm for 5am, got myself a Starbucks, and drove to Napa Valley.  I've been really interested in this wild mustard growing around the roadside, and I read that it grows between the grape vines out here.  So I guess I've confirmed that.  Although it wasn't quite as ubiquitous as I was imagining.  It's been a while since I've had so many photos to choose for my blog entry.  This was one of the first I took, so the light is very low, and almost backlit.  I'll probably post a few more in coming days.

March 2

We have two cats at our house.  Luna is a box cat, and Linus is a string cat.  So this isn't my first blog photo of Luna in a box.  To see earlier versions click the links here and here.  I think this one has the best lighting.  I always think our house is so bright, until I try to photograph inside.  I opened a lot of blinds all the way to make this photo, and I'm glad she stayed put, because she really doesn't like being photographed! 

March 1

Not much time for photos today, so I played around with my camera while my daughter was driving us home from Sacramento.  I rolled the window down to photograph, which really annoyed her.  I keep calling this winter wheat, although maybe that's a midwest term.  Right now it's the only thing growing around here.

February 29

I'm still photographing ducks, even indoors! 
It's just some of my collection, and yes, I like to keep them in a row :)

February 28

These little yellow flowers are all over the side of the road this week.  I think it's mustard.  If I live here long enough this scene will be a regular spring thing, but to me this photo looks more like August than February!

February 27

Not that many orchards blooming yet.  Luckily this one is only a few miles from my house.  I'll drive around in Winters this weekend and see what I can find out there.  It's interesting to me because from far away the orchards look just the same, but once you're in them, each orchard looks so different. 

February 26

My 400th post!

Time sure flies when you're having fun!

February 25

Well the hens at my local farm are finally laying again, so I guess I don't have to go out to Yolo anymore.  Too bad, because Yolo is so picturesque and I always got a nice photo out there.  I'll just have to get myself a Starbucks and drive around in Yolo with my camera every now and then.  This scene is across the street from my regular egg farm.  The glowing rural newspaper boxes caught my eye.

February 24

A White Crowned Sparrow poses among this year's leaves. 

He was drawn to my camera's autofocus beep,

so it was easy to get his attention! :)

February 23

There's quite a large collection of train wheels, in all shades of rust, sitting along the tracks over by the Co-op.  Did they just show up or did I just notice them? 

February 22

Last year's leaves masquerade as a starry blossom.

February 21

Ok, this is just wrong, and I apologize for rotating this photo, but I just couldn't help myself today.  So I've forced these poor turtles into a "Hang In There" shot.  And why do they need to hang in there?  Maybe they're having trouble with their initial value separable differential equation problems!  Or maybe they just can't wait for spring any longer!  Maybe they're really tired of photographing pale blue and beige!  Maybe all of the above!

February 20

It occured to me today that I've taken so many photos from my dog-walking route this winter, that if you just piece them all together, you could probably imagine most of my route.  This fence runs along the top part of the pond.  To the left, where the gray trees are, is riparian forest.  The green trees in the back are at the edge of a subdivision.  The pond is a protected wildlife area, so it's completely fenced off. 

February 19

So much activity at our little pond! 

Now we have an otter too! 

You can either find him by this tell-tale water pattern, or when you see the ducks scatter.

February 18

An Anna's Hummingbird by the pond this morning.  Gosh, I need a bigger lens!