paris

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:15:14 -0700

Just posted photos from my vacation in Paris last month in two sets -- COLOR and BLACK AND WHITE. Paris in late June was hot and humid (and I was suffering from a miserable cold), so I visited my favorite museums and lazed around in the many Parisian cafés. It did not take me long to become addicted to a breakfast (and sometimes lunch) of croissant, baguette and café au lait. One month later and I still miss that deliciously strong coffee -- not to mention the high-carb diet!

napa valley

Sat, 4 Apr 2009 02:19:25 -0700

Just finally posted photos from my February trip to NAPA VALLEY to photograph the mustard blooms. This was my first 2009 spring flower venture and my allergies had a field day! But it was well worth taking all the allergy medications -- before and after -- to enjoy such beautiful scenery. Photographers were not the only ones appreciating the colors; we also saw painters with their easels capturing the scenes. The most exciting part of the day was running into (not literally!) a flock of sheep that decided they really wanted to be photographed!

cooley ranch

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 23:23:43 -0700

COOLEY RANCH is 19,000+ acres of magnificent landscape in the Dry Creek watershed that is protected by the SONOMA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT. I had the opportunity to tour the ranch one afternoon last week and was blown away by the many gorgeous trees, hills, flowers and birds. Oh... and, of course, the steers that persisted in following us around the ranch! Many thanks to my tour guides, Crawford and Jake.

death valley

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 22:53:38 -0700

There is no better place to escape from the daily grind than DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK. No cell or land phones and very limited Internet access makes Death Valley an ideal hideaway -- the exception being desert-dining, which can be generously described as “basic.” This, however, is a minor factor given the natural beauty and diversity that the park offers. All it takes is an hour sitting on top of a warm, huge sand dune to make everything right in your world... until you have to hike down!

Last week’s escape was my second Death Valley trip with Gale Perry and LIGHT FANTASTIC PHOTO TOURS. On this visit, we spent more time photographing the sand dunes since we were fortunate to have some windy nights that cleared the day’s footprints. Gale also led us to a fantastic “baby dunes” area for some great sand-scapes!

bryce canyon

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:46:05 -0800

My aunt and I went to Las Vegas last week to celebrate her birthday and we made a side-trip to BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK in Utah. It was gorgeous but very cold and windy. However, the overcast skies did provide for some dramatic landscape photography! It’s been 15 years since my last visit to Bryce -- a family trip with my mother and sister -- and it’s just as beautiful and unusual as I remembered. A side-trip is definitely not enough as Bryce deserves to be explored and photographed in depth.