White knuckles

Chester, Go Home!

2012-02-01T07:11:00.000-08:00

This is Chester, our street, pig.

He`s been here for 15 years, & belongs to an old friend of mine.

Lately, Chester has been getting out more often.

In this image, I`m getting him to skedaddle back home.

Just the other day, two police cruisers turned down my street just ahead of me.

They slowed down & one made a u-turn & parked while the second one pulled over & parked on the right, opposite each other.

I stopped between them & asked them if they were looking for a pig.

They were quite surprised, since indeed they had gotten a report of a black boar wandering down the street.

I schooled them on the who, what, where & when of Chester & we all had a laugh.

Cross Canyon View

2012-01-27T22:10:00.000-08:00

A bit of what home is; birds, plants & ocean beauty.

BEGINNING & END

2012-01-25T14:25:00.000-08:00

This is the first time I ever was able to take the sunrise from my deck & later the same day,

shoot the sunset, from the same spot.

These were taken yesterday, the 24th of Jan.

Brittle Star

2012-01-20T18:56:00.000-08:00

PINK BIRTH

2010-04-22T23:38:00.000-07:00

My long anticipated blooms have finally started to open.
This is a singular post, though clicking it might take you to some surprises, I don`t really know.
Have a great day.

BEACH ART

2010-04-15T01:34:00.000-07:00

I took a walk on the beach, since my flowers are no longer needed here.
A few things to set the mood.
I met a few girls who were visiting the area so I had to advise them of a few things.
The young lady on the rock, I reduced in size & relocated her & the rock back onto it`s original spot to show the scale of the rocks` size.
Out past the cliff, you`ll notice a buoy.
That`s the buoy whose bell I hear from my house.
I live above the cliffs pictured.
Do Not Drive on the sand.
Besides a view down the coast, some on the cliff have a view of the skies.
The Peg legged bird, is my little bit of artwork, down by the water.
Have a nice day.

FOUNTAIN PROMISE

2010-04-12T23:39:00.000-07:00

I did mention previously that the Irises out front by the fountain would open in about a week.
Here you go.
As you may have noticed, I`ve been slacking lately, but I`ve been fooling around with Teri.
For example telling her to stand by a Rolls for a picture, next to one of my old hangouts, "The Brig".
I`ve been working on the legal finishings of her accident case, something she is quite capable of doing herself,
but I think she likes that I`ve been taking care of all of it.
I`ve been through the process before so I know the ins & outs although I`m not a paralegal whereas she is.
I`ll be getting her a new car soon, especially since I don`t like anyone driving my vehicles.
It won`t be an MGTC, though I wouldn`t mind that one bit.
I actually love that model of MG.
I`m going to finally finish up on my little sports car myself in the coming months.
A rare little 2 litre Jensen Healy that you can see on Planet Earth. You may have seen it before in the past years.
I have to put a new exhaust system in it & do the upholstery.

WHEN IRIS EYES ARE SMILING

2010-04-08T21:21:00.000-07:00

This morning this flower was just a bud showing a little bit of skirt.
By four o`clock, it had opened to this.
I have a bunch of these in the front by the fountain also, but they won`t open for about a week I`d say.
I changed the header since I was tired of looking at Las Vegas at night.
Over on Planet Earth, we were about to leave The Brig, so I took a picture of Teri with the Rolls.
It`s really a great car.
The Brig
Damn what a place.
I used to hang there many many years ago.
I used to hustle pool there starting at six in the morning when it opened.
It was quite a dive when I frequented the place, but it`s renovated now to keep up with the times.
It`s just around the corner from Electric Avenue.
I should mention that I hope you have a nice day since we`ll be into the high seventies again tomorrow.
One of my clients, a doctor & pie maker par excellence, dropped off a steaming apple pie, although we`d just finished some strawberry shortcakes with homemade heavy whipped cream, so tomorrow shall be Pie Day.
I was out taking shots of the iris when the phone rang.
He said he wanted to bring a pie to us while the aroma was still wafting about.
I asked him where he was & he said, "Your front door!"
Another day in paradise.

ELECTRIC AVENUE

2010-04-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

If you click on this, you`ll be enjoying a little walk I took in Venice, on Electric Avenue, yesterday.
You may be surprised that this is a $25,000,000.00 set I talked about, but I was wrong.
The houses or "cracker boxes" imaged are worth from 1.25 to 2 million dollars each.
These are the back yards taken from a little walk-street right at Electric Avenue.
You may click on the video or the slide show to see them all.
I took many more but did include a 3D of "Lily`s Court in the set.
For those who can/learned how to view my "stereoscopes" I hope you like it.
We met up with some friends there & went on a walk-about.
Five points to whoever spots the little dog.

BLACK & GOLD BLUES

2010-04-06T23:35:00.000-07:00

Coming out of the market yesterday, I noticed a little photo shoot going on.
I took my camera out & walked up to the subject from the opposite side & took a few shots.
The musician looked over at me.
I told him he`d be a better subject if I could shoot with music playing.
I took another shot & bailed.
Here it is.
Tomorrow I have a set worth over $25,000,000.00
Stay tuned.
And some one is watching you behind a click.

MOURNING

2010-04-05T23:25:00.000-07:00

I took pictures of some roses in our garden after going to a little roadside memorial on the corner down by the highway. A little 13 year old girl was struck & killed on Sat. walking home from a friend`s house on the "Point" here.
My local news feed mentions a 26 year old male who apparently intentionally tried to crash his vehicle into a utility pole, but lost control & killed the little one. (He is in custody facing murder charges)
I was down there this afternoon talking to some of the moms & their children who went to school with her.
Her name was Emily Rose Shane.
All I can do is post this image in her memory.
I did not know her.
(I have more images beyond the click.)

ON THE BEACH

2010-04-04T23:30:00.000-07:00

A painting on the dining room wall at an Easter egg hunt at Teri`s daughter`s house today.
One more after a click.

TOOTSIE ROLL

2010-03-29T21:08:00.000-07:00

This year`s first rescue is not a baby bird, but a just weaned little field mouse.
As Teri & I exited the front door, "Tootsie" was on the first step, wondering what to do, or at least that`s what we thought her expression meant.
So now Teri has a mission.
She`s made a little "mouse house" for TOOTSIE to figure out what life is all about.
I figure the little mouse is very recently weaned & got separated from it`s mother.
I think if it survives the night, it will be well on it`s way to a bright future.
If not, there will be an unconsolable person around the house.
There are more pix of Tootsie, beyond the click.

PALM SOMEDAY

2010-03-24T22:31:00.000-07:00

Teri usually reminds me of the sunsets & I often "pooh pooh" her.
But I always take the camera & go out on the deck to "humor" her.
I always come away with a nice sunset though.
Here`s the one from tonight.
It`s very centralized in the sky, so it`s taken at maximum digital zoom.
Enjoy & have a great day.
Beth, you like purple do you?

BABY MASSAGERS

2010-03-24T02:57:00.000-07:00

That`s all for today.
Have a nice tomorrow.

NATIVE INNOCENCE

2010-03-22T21:57:00.000-07:00

A statue gifted to me from Sheryl.
I shot it while playing around last evening.
Planet Earth,
Tonight, (fooling around again) I took a few shots of a bowl given to me by Carpunder.
He is a Master wood turner.
You can see some of his work here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7400423@N06/sets/72157603773379295/

GLADIATOR

2010-03-17T23:01:00.000-07:00

From the back yard, a fighting gladiator.
Although I do have only one, I might go nuts & get another bulb for next year.
(If I knew how)
Well it was another 80`s degree day here, but I hear it will go down into the seventies tomorrow.
YeeHaw.
Have a great day.

Single Shot Sunset

2010-03-16T22:35:00.000-07:00

I think I took this Friday.
I`ve been a little frazzled lately.
I mean it was 85 degrees here today.
I have to start getting used to paradise all over again.
I`m hoping to take 4/5 months off to spend at the beach.

BACK YARD BUNCH

2010-03-16T01:10:00.000-07:00

This is a bunch of flowers growing in the yard presently.
They close up at sundown every day.
On Planet Earth, a very tall gladiola is waking up.

CASTLE IN THE SNOW

2010-03-11T21:03:00.000-08:00

A 2,000 piece puzzle Teri & I finished last week. This one was about 1 month in the making, while the one on Planet Earth, is about a 4 day effort.
No, we don`t sit around doing these puzzles all day.
They are on a large table & we work on them a few minutes at a time, or 30 mins at another time waiting for dinner to finish cooking, for example.
We both have completely different methods of putting it together.
Teri works by the shapes of the pieces, while I work with the image on each individual piece & match it to the image on the box for it`s location.
I use my big magnifying loupe for that.
May your days not be so puzzling.
Peace.

THE CONTORTIONIST

2010-03-10T22:47:00.000-08:00

The writhing antics, seemingly impossible to control, from such a basic animal as an anemone, are, in my eyes, a natural mystery.
This is my Purple Anemone.
There` a few flowers & ferns over on Planet Earth.
Have a great day.

DON`T HAVE A COW

2010-03-09T22:51:00.000-08:00

I stopped by to have a little moo with my bovine friend today.
I brought her a little `grass`, but she said she was OK for now.
Next time I`ll bring her an udder kind.
After you finish groaning, have a nice day, & be kind to animals.
Please.

PAINTBALL WARS

2010-03-08T23:22:00.000-08:00

A little Percula playing around in his coral `head`.
Have a great day.
(You can see him again past the click, sounding an echo)

OLIVIA`S SUNSET

2010-03-08T00:03:00.000-08:00

This post is dedicated to a great friend, compatriot, fellow photographer, & exceptional young lady.
Minutes before shooting this sunset image down on my beach, I talked to Olivia, via email, & mentioned how chilly & dreary it seemed.
Once down on the beach, my whole attitude changed & I shot these for her.
It turned out to be a very nice walk.
A strange dog ran up to me & made friends.
More surprisingly, a seal decided to come up in the surf, acknowledged my presence, then swam off into the sunset.
I take signs like this seriously.
To the dog, the seal & my friends, have a lovely journey.
Tony
I never signed off like this, but she`ll understand.
Olivia, I`ll see you at sunrise.

GOING POSTAL

2010-03-02T21:08:00.000-08:00

The view from inside the atrium at the post office around the corner.
Click on it to view a quadruple unintentional self portrait.
It`s really not impressive or anything, but I only noticed it after downloading the files.
Obviously I faked the HD quality of the shot, using primitive techniques.
If the image on Planet Earth is not of Charlie, it`s because I put a few random shots there.
Please give me a few minutes to go find some.
Have a great day & see if it`s made better by promoting random acts of kindness.
Since I started that program personally, quite a few years ago, I`ve somehow been a very "lucky dude".
Coincidentally, I was reading an article on that phenomenon, today, on Biomes Blog.
Amazing that we may in effect create our own "luck".

TEST HIKE

2010-03-01T20:40:00.000-08:00

Well, I know you had your fingers crossed so I couldn`t let you down.
Although some of these are not considered Wild flowers, many were in fields & not cultivated, although they do have plenty of class.
You can see them as individuals, by simply clicking your heels.
Have a great day.

BLACK MATRIX

2010-02-28T23:35:00.000-08:00

This shot of a Marine Betta, taken tonight, shows how up-close & personal I can get to my underwater friends.
I would hope so after almost 10 years of interaction.
This fish is very friendly with me & me alone, but will attack Coconut, if he`s with me at the time of our interaction.
The fish seems protective of me, almost.
I hope to take a wildflower hike tomorrow, near my project site after I put everybody to work.
Cross your fingers for some shots of springtime in Malibu.

BLUE MOON

2010-02-25T20:43:00.000-08:00

Out looking for tiny baby rabbits to shoot tonight, I saw the moon in the Sycamore.
That could be the opening sentence of a new book, but it`snot.
I do hope though, to be able to shoot some baby bunnies soon.
Have a nice day.

I may go shoot some trails & paths tomorrow. (Thanks AndiF)

PURPLE POUT

2010-02-24T21:28:00.000-08:00

A little change of pace today.
As you may have noticed, I have a new "header" posted.
It is comprised of repetitive images of a little spring loaded bouncer in one of our gardens.
I simply gave her a different colored dress here & there.
On Planet Earth, a collection of random shots beginning with a surfer, Teri, & Charlie, who "don`t surf".
That`s for another post though.
The main posted image is of a Royal Gramma, a little upset that I`ve cornered her in a rocky hole & knows she must let herself be shot, to rid herself of a pesky invader,.. me.
The wildflowers are starting to overtake winter here, so I`ll soon be going into the hills, to try my luck at shooting them.
Have a beautiful day.

Hacienda

2010-02-22T20:47:00.000-08:00

A little trip into the past when California was a land divided into pueblos.
One can imagine this.
Pueblo of Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, founded in 1781; patented August 4. 1875 to the City of Los Angeles; containing 17,172.37 acres.
These pueblos, or Land Grants, stretched from San Diego To San Jose, in the north.
Some were over 55 thousand acres.
This structure was built as a stable, but now we`d say a fortress.
It`s an historical building I spotted a month or so ago & have been looking for it ever since.
I found it today.
What I also found a few blocks away were two steer.
I pulled over to pretend to ask them for directions & surreptitiously took a few shots of one of them.
I couldn`t resist coupling the two, into one iconic image of the old California Rancheros.
Please click to see the rest of this amazing building from this morning`s shoot.

CELEBRATING CHERYL

2010-02-18T20:47:00.000-08:00

I know I mentioned posting something else tonight, but Teri & I had decided to remember Cheryl, our neighbor who passed away a year ago today.
I came home at 10:00 AM & we went down in the yard where we have some of her statues.
This is one of my favorites.
Later in the evening I took a shot of the setting sun, an "eye" in the sky.
Then mysteriously the sky cleared & Cheryl seemed to do a close flyby of the moon, & then again, only closer.
Rest in Peace, Cheryl

MALIBU LUMBER

2010-02-17T20:43:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went down to Malibu Masonry for some supplies.
I then stopped in at Malibu Lumber.
This is a new little retail center built on the site of the Malibu Lumber Yard, a place I did many building supply purchases over 35 years.
But all things must come to pass & the lumber yard now exists only as the sign declaring a new high dollar joint.
There is one redeeming factor about the place & that is that Olivia has opened a fashion shop there with a friend she never mentioned.(at least to me)
This is also a place where, as you`ll see in one of the images, paparazzi are not welcome.
Strange that they should mention that, since we don`t appreciate any of them anywhere in Malibu.
I then went north to my old friend`s place, Zuma Orchids, to show him & his wife the blog post I did of him.
He was thrilled about it & he`ll have thousands of new & different orchids blooming in about six weeks.
Look forward to them, as I`ll be shooting them at that time.
Have a great day.

HERE COMES THE SUN

2010-02-15T23:43:00.001-08:00

HERE COMES THE SUN
Originally uploaded by 37KNUCKLEHEAD

Here`s a little bit sunshine for your day

OUTDOOR ORCHID

2010-02-14T22:52:00.000-08:00

A little something in a friend`s yard.
It`s been 80 degrees here & lovely, so I hope this cheers you up.
Spring is just around the corner.
Have a great day.

GREEN CHROMIS

2010-02-10T22:23:00.000-08:00

This is a school of Green Chromis from my reef tank.
I have three of them.
Have a great day.
I`m back to work tomorrow, after a minor rain delay.

STARBURST

2010-02-09T22:39:00.000-08:00

Things end up in a reef from god knows where.
This starfish, one of many, is presently footing it across an expanse of little light galaxies, a background created from a large anemone.
Click on this image to see the little star on the background, of a larger setting.
My girls brought me a pleasant surprise tonight, themselves, bearing birthday gifts.
They are all three amazing

RED POPPY

2010-02-08T20:14:00.000-08:00

The poppies are out already.
There`s a yellow one beyond, & I hope to get some orange morphs also.

The sunsets are still on full power also.
Because of posting them, I`m backed up with other images I take, but they`ll go into my posting reserves I guess.
Have a great day.
Watch for a "Starburst" tomorrow.

A Month Of Color

2010-02-03T22:13:00.000-08:00

I must remind you to go see this image on Flickr in "Original" size. (It should be huge)

My girls

2010-02-02T22:38:00.000-08:00

My daughter & grand daughters swooped on me tonight for a surprise visit.
It`s always great to see them.
The girls needed their iPods recharged, & we have no more grapes.
Have a great day.

Feb. 1st

2010-02-01T21:48:00.000-08:00

The month of my birthday just started.
Please go to the images beyond this one to see more of what I`m expecting for my special month.
At the same time I`ll try & give you the pleasure of my presents.
I try & not investigate what kind of weather you`re all having, since I don`t want to jinx mine.
Have a nice day tomorrow.
BTW, The blue herons are decimating my pond Koi.
More on that tomorrow.

SUNRISE

2010-01-31T22:28:00.000-08:00

Since you must be tiring of sunsets, here`s a sunrise from my garden, taken while shooting tonight`s sunset.
There are a fair number of buds on this plant.
I also started pulling beets from the garden, btw.
On Planet Earth you can see last night`s sunset.
Have a great day.

Filet of Ruby

2010-01-28T23:46:00.000-08:00

Ruby fillets on a Saphire background.
I did tell you it was intense at my place.
I hope you are well prepared to view a month of these celestial jewels.
I am holding a chest of them.

EXITING 2009

2010-01-27T15:25:00.000-08:00

This is the end of 2009 leaving a trail to the past.

BACK YARD GRASSES

2010-01-26T21:31:00.000-08:00

Seeing as my yard is a font of weeds, weed, seed & treed, I figure I should be allowed to shoot anything there.
Here are a few grass stems contrasting the lowering sun.
If any of you have any ideas as to how you`d like the "Sunset Presentation" to be unveiled, please speak your piece.
Have a nice day.
You can also see how a week may be spent keeping Teri & I active during unseasonal rains, over on Planet Earth.
In the header, just the usual view from my deck.

UNDERSEA FAUNA

2010-01-25T21:29:00.000-08:00

One of my worms.
If I baste the reef with blood worms & mysis shrimp, the long tentacles grab the food out of the current & coil it down to the Day-Glo green tentacles which then direct it down into in it`s oral cavity in the center.
It`s always fascinating to observe.
Have a great day & remember, I`m still on my "Sunset Project".
I promise a mind blow on that one.
But no advance peeks.

REEF AGAIN

2010-01-24T22:00:00.000-08:00

Revisiting my reef, I shot the Purple Tipped Anemone with it`s little lights on.
I`m spending a lot of time on my Sunset Project, so stayed tuned (Beth).
On the other hand, AndiF, don`t fear, your "wake-up" shot is behind this post.
Have a great week ahead.

NEON GARDEN

2010-01-20T22:34:00.000-08:00

I`m just keeping up my supply of greenery & flowers for those of you so deprived.
I`m also working daily on my project to shoot every single sunset for a month.
I think I only missed one, when I went to see Avatar.
You`ll see them at month`s end.
I also included the pod I used for the "Seductress`s eyes & worked on it a bit more.

SNAKES & LADDERS

2010-01-19T22:54:00.000-08:00

For those of you that are seasonally, greenery impaired, I`m posting some of the tropical looking plants on the Pond
Project grounds.
There are more beyond this.
I`m posting a little something for Boran2 on Planet Earth made from the same blossom pod as "Garden Fairy" & a kisser made from Olivia`s tulips.

One more thing, I went to see Avatar with Teri`s dad last Fri.
We saw it in 3D +
I ate some of my specialty herbal goodies while he went with the smokable 4th dimension.
Having not been to a movie theater in 15 years, I`m glad I chose this movie to break my cinematic fast.
Total mind blow.
As a big fan of 3D in photography, I was intrigued with seeing it in 3D.
I`ve never been to any movie twice, but tomorrow I`m taking Teri.
And I can`t wait.
Fabulous movie.
I`ll send "goodies" to any one who wants to go see it in 4D.

LITTLE GREEN SURFBOARDS

2010-01-18T23:59:00.000-08:00

A few shots I took today while checking my project sites in preparation for some major rainstorms that are rolling through here for the whole week.

WOODLAND FAIRY

2010-01-14T20:04:00.000-08:00

A little fairy I made from seed pods I shot today, with green leaf lips.

BIRD FEEDER CREEK BRIDGE

2010-01-13T21:24:00.000-08:00

Sometimes while hiking around my area, I come upon a little something that reminds me of other images in my archives. I often use the memory to compose my present shot.
Tomorrow; what memories are made from.

I call this "BIRD FEEDER CREEK" because I often see Blue Herons wading in the waters there.
I will be hiking up to the headwaters of this creek at the end of the month, & will post the surprise origin at that time.
Have a great day & keep a thought for the people in Haiti.

ANDY`S PARADISE

2010-01-11T22:23:00.000-08:00

Today Andy walked up on me, shooting this marvel of evolution.
I told him I would post it on the blog just for him, in it`s raw form.
I should let Teri tell you about Andy, but that would maybe make him blush.
Here`s a favorite of his, "Bird of Paradise".
I did post one beyond it with a contrasting background.
Enjoy, & don`t feel bad about our local weather, we`ll probably get hit with some extreme conditions soon.
(The above statement is basically to adjudicate my guilt on our heavenly weather)
Be safe & warm.

DSCN3732

2010-01-07T22:10:00.001-08:00

DSCN3732
Originally uploaded by 37KNUCKLEHEAD

This is after a little bit of tuning up.
This little guitar was basically a little workshop on building a working instrument with parts found around the house, a guitar neck from a neighbor & a few parts from a music store.
Total time 3 hours.

The Stewart Gibson

2010-01-06T22:05:00.000-08:00

A new guitar is about to be unveiled to the world today.
It`s modeled after a "Canjo", a banjo made with an oilcan.
I built it with Bligh today.
To see more images of this soon to be famous CrackerBacker, click the image & check the little slide show where you can see/hear Bligh play it.
Have a nice day.

LAND OWNER

2010-01-05T21:50:00.000-08:00

Bligh, Guest Blogger,

Here`s another capture by Bligh.
You know where to look for more images on this voyage.
Enjoy, & have a great day.

YOSEMITE COYOTE

2010-01-04T22:22:00.000-08:00

BLIGH, Guest Blogger

Bligh, Teri` son, visiting from Australia, & his lovely girlfriend Eleanor here from London, just came back from a three day excursion through Yosemite, Oregon & down back to Malibu.
He will have many of his terrific images posted here for the next few days.
WooHoo, a few days off.
In this image, a very rare occurrence, showing the usually quite wary Coyote, tolerating human presence within feet of it`s it`s food find, while a con artist crow tries to cheat him out of at least a few scraps.
Enjoy, & do come back tomorrow for grand vistas & another noble forest dweller.

Fall Colors

2010-01-03T22:26:00.000-08:00

The leaves on my Sycamore tree.
Please check out little Finn on Planet Earth & the other shots behind the header.
Have a great day on this first Monday of the New Year.

THE END OF 2009

2009-12-31T21:44:00.000-08:00

This is the last sunlight of 2009, to momentarily be replaced by a new blue moon to start the year of 2010.
Beyond is the Captain of last year going down with his ship.
Have a Happy New Year.

CONTRALTO

2009-12-30T23:12:00.000-08:00

On a dreary day of sprinkling rain here in Malibu, I went to check on my proteges at the pond.
Since they now realize I got some new specialized food, they demand to be fed constantly.
This one has taken to sing for her supper.
On Planet Earth, I took a few shots of the beach front homes vanishing into the fog in both directions, with a few little "scramblers" alone on the beach.
To get to the beach, I entered through a portal that separates two realms.
For my safety, I returned through the same portal.
Have a safe journey, wherever it may take you.

BLUE SUNSET

2009-12-29T20:38:00.000-08:00

Four shots of the sunset in portrait mode.
I decided to use a flash in this composite, to bring out the blue for you.
I`m planning on doing some work on my reef by adding another tank to the same system.
This should allow me to add some different specimens while keeping the water quality at optimum levels.
Have a nice day.

BLENNY F

2009-12-28T21:05:00.000-08:00

Andif,
This little Blenny has been begging to be adopted.
I only acquiesced a little by giving him your last initial.
He seems quite pleased with that.
I hope you are also.

DEEP DIVE

2009-12-26T23:33:00.000-08:00

I usually don`t post on the week ends but since there is no FFF this time, I feel naked.
I took a few shots of my reef tonight.
The Marine Betta seems to be going deep.
Behind this shot, one of Olivia`s favorites PIPPI.
Looks like she knitted PIPPI`s stockings.
Over on Planet Earth, my girls.
Candice with Chloe & Jackie.
The beauty in one of the photos is Eleanor, a young lady who just arrived from London & is a guest at our home.
She`s is quite friendly, (to say the least) with Bligh, Teri`s boy, who is also a guest, though hailing from Australia.
I hope you all had a great holiday & reconnected with your respective tribal members.
Peace.

PROMISED LIGHT

2009-12-25T01:00:00.000-08:00

Tonight, our Xmas eve dinner with friends & family at sunset was everything I anticipated.
The main thing was that the sunset cooperated & put on a show for almost an hour.
I`d set up my camera on a tripod & took pictures at different times.
I just wanted to make sure I captured the place settings in early light to be able to overlay the sunset in darker light.

Then the Santa Parade came by & stopped for 30/40 mins. for all the neighborhood.
I talked with people from all over who`d come to see the parade of lights.
I had a long talk with a lovely young lady & then a firefighter friend of mine.
The firemen on scene were providing a lot of the light show.
I was sort of coerced into meeting Santa personally, so I sat on his lap for a few mins. to the laughter of the kids.
I also met the people who live across the street earlier today who thought I was selling the pic of their house that some of you may have seen.
A few nights ago, I`d put the link to the 12 shot composite of their lights in their mailbox.
I told him he must have a lack of reading comprehension, since I`d also included a Merry Xmas with the note.
To me, that`s what goes along with a gift at this time of year.
I think they`re starting to realize that I won`t tear them to shreds on a whim.
On more than one occasion I was told that they didn`t like me, by others, but being the high road rider, I ignored that kind of talk.
I don`t think I`ll be hearing that kind of hateful talk anymore.
One has to face the world one bigot at a time.
Tonight the world got a little smaller.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
On Planet Earth, wondering what lies in the future, for the child pondering what it all means while observing everything with wide open eyes.

'HEAD' MASTER

2009-12-24T00:19:00.000-08:00

I made a big table out on the deck this morning so we can all have Xmas dinner out on the deck.

I oriented the table so we could all see the sunset while eating.

Now I just need one of my private sunsets.

PEACE

BONNIE & CLYDE

2009-12-23T01:57:00.000-08:00

I turned the corner from my street & there they were.

I whipped my vehicle to the side of the road, jumped out & started shooting them.

Bonnie & Clyde didn`t seem very pleased.

I didn`t realize at first that the mobster & his moll were in the car.

On Planet Earth, a short term bloom on a rarely blossoming plant.

My client called the night before last, excited about her flower.

It really is a beauty.

Have a great day, as the end is near.

TAMPOPO TAMPERING

2009-12-21T22:53:00.000-08:00

This evening`s post is for Tampopo.

I`m a little unclear on the concept, since it was discussed last year.

I had simply took a few shots & mixes of subjects & put them together in different ways & trying to make them seem different than, at first, apparently clear.

So here is a bit of fun, Tampopo.

If you click on Planet Earth, I have a 12 shot view of 3/4 of the house across the streets`lights.

Click "all sizes", "original", & slide from one end to the other.

Have a nice day.

LIP GLOSS

2009-12-17T22:22:00.000-08:00

The poppies are showing their inner glisten here & when that happens, some leering eye pods are always lurking about.

The header is tonight`s sunset, & is backed up by more, of a larger size, (Beth)

As promised on Planet Earth, a pie I baked last night, & on the same menu, the Marmalade Cornish Hens I cooked for tonight`s meal.

Have a wonderful day & you are allowed to guess about the Lady from The Sea Of Love.

SEA OF LOVE

2009-12-17T00:11:00.000-08:00

I will have to let you wonder on this image for a few days.

On Planet Earth, a poppy in 3D.

I`m still getting gate shots from around Malibu.

It`s not like I had them on file.

It`s a great hunt though.

Have a great day .

Tomorrow I`ll post a pic of a cherry pie I baked tonight.

BLOOD ON THE LEAVES

2009-12-15T23:40:00.000-08:00

Tonight`s sunset.

Andif,

Teri was amazed at your bouquet of Frost Flowers.

Thank you.

"BEST WISHES" BLOOMS

2009-12-15T01:47:00.000-08:00

Teri is steadily improving.

At this rate she should be recuperated by Easter.

These are some of the flowers she received, although she is against cutting flowers off at the neck.

She does though, greatly appreciate the thoughts.

Have a great day.

STORM`S END

2009-12-14T01:05:00.000-08:00

The storm of the last few days is over.

By the storm, I mean the one involving Teri.

I`m the titular head of her medical team, so she`s under the best of care.

She will be just fine.

Thank you for all your wishes.

I compiled all of them from different blogs & presented them to her.

She was most impressed &very very pleased.

She read every single one of them numbering almost four dozen.

Collectively, it seemed to have helped enormously.

I shall never forget.

The post image is from tonight`s sunset & represents the steps to recovery.

There are more merged images beyond.

On Planet Earth, her crashed car. You do not have to go see, but it`s a testament to her relative good fortune, having not suffered more severe injuries.

THREE LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

2009-12-10T00:58:00.000-08:00

I don`t have much time tonight.

I`m actually distracting myself.

Teri was in a horrific accident tonight.

She`s in the hospital with two collapsed lungs & other unknown (to me) injuries.

I just got back from the hospital but may be going back if I`m allowed to spend the night there with her.

Her daughter & her son are with her for the time being.

Some moran turned right in front of her from opposing traffic as she was going 50 miles an hour on Pacific Coast Highway on a green light.

There may be some confusion as to who was driving the other vehicle.

It may have been a fourteen year old who`s mom let her drive them home from class.

I felt helpless holding her hand in the emergency room.

LADIES NIGHT

2009-12-09T00:38:00.000-08:00

This is my old & beautiful friend, Amado.

He is from Mexico.

He is world famous as an orchid expert & has over 700 varieties that he bred.

He has won hundreds & hundreds of awards, but he only loves the rewards of growing his lovely ladies.

His Orchid Ranch is surrounded by grounds that are exemplified by the image at Planet Earth.

Note the large plant growing on the branch of the big Sycamore.

He has many of those & this one is small in comparison to others he has.

I have dozens of images from the property which you shall see soon.

I spent some time with him yesterday, but I was very happy to see him at the ranch again today, & made sure we had our picture taken by Berta, a small Mexican girl who works for him.

He is a very gentle man.

It must help account for his age, as he turned 90 a short time ago.

I met him over 30 years ago playing pool at a bar over a few years.

We always had a great time challenging each other while improving our game.

His wife would quietly sit & watch us play.

She`s still sitting quietly in the background.

Linked to this image I have a set of some of his orchids.

One image is a set of orchids I processed tonight along with a screen capture of the folder that all of the shots I took today of the orchids though I haven`t gotten to all of them yet.

I have quite a few folders yet to go through from today`s shoot & you`ll soon get to see them.

Also on Planet Earth, I did a vertical merge of a tree with a climbing vine/plant taken from a footbridge across the creek that runs through the property.

I`ll describe the place when I post the images.

I`m dedicating this post to all the ladies in my life, past & present.

(There are quite a few surprisingly, & I`ll be posting some stuff soon about an art show I attended last Sat. where I met many of said ladies from my past.)

Enjoy your visit to my friend`s paradise.

PAST LOVE

2009-12-08T02:52:00.000-08:00

One of my prize specimens from the past.

This is Royal Maroon Discus.

It`s a fresh water fish from the Amazon.

Have a great day.

I`m going shooting tomorrow, & hope to include some gates.

POINT PINK

2009-12-06T22:52:00.000-08:00

Tonight`s upcoming storm showed it`s warm underbelly this evening.

Working till past dark to secure the project from the heavy rains expected, I looked up for a minute to see the pink sunset peeking through the clouds.

Last evening seemed to be tonight`s prophecy come true, something you may judge for yourself by simply clicking, you know where.

One of the rays is focused on my house, over on the point.

Have a great day.

EARLY START

2009-12-03T21:51:00.000-08:00

Today favoring Finn`s visit, the decorating for the holidays started earlier than usual this year.

I`m trying to get things wrapped up on my project site these next two days since we`re expecting three days of rain beginning Sunday evening. With about a dozen people I`ve got working, I believe we`ll be OK, but I still wish I had another week of dry weather.

I added some pix of the mild mannered sunset from this evening over on Planet Earth.

Have a great day

SANDALS (Dedicated to Nancy P)

2009-12-02T21:28:00.000-08:00

The best way to relax by a pond is to kick off your sandals & dip your feet in.

There`s one linked with a Koi fish in view.

They were mostly hiding since there was a large blue heron stalking them today.

Have a great day.

LUMBER PENCIL

2009-12-01T21:54:00.000-08:00

A fuzzy visitor to my lumber pencil at work today.

Have a great day & don`t worry about being stung when you click to see more.

I`m a king bee & today these are my subjects.

59 EL CAMINO

2009-11-30T21:50:00.000-08:00

A nice ride from when cars were art.

This is a 1959 Chevy El Camino.

It`s going for $32,000.00.

On Planet Earth, some purple plants & a couple of gates at the end of the street where my project is.

I went up there to release a bunny that was inadvertently caught in a "live catch" trap.

It had been set to catch raccoons who come fishing in the Koi pond.

SUCCULENT WAFERS

2009-11-29T21:45:00.000-08:00

From my succulent garden, these red wafers stand out in the setting light of dusk.

The linked shots are from around here today.

On Planet Earth, a "Where`s Waldo" moment.

Have a great day ahead. Please.

THANKSGIVING ANGELS

2009-11-26T22:07:00.000-08:00

I like to spend special days like today, outdoors.

I went for a long ride with Coconut on my bike & took these shots.

Tomorrow it`s time to set up a tent for the boys who will be arriving from Australia for a month.

Hopefully I`ll trade the use of one of my vehicles for their help in building another large shed here.

It never seems to end.

Sometimes I think I might just welcome a few days of rain, but please, I need another month of great dry weather.

Have a great day eating those leftovers.

WORKSITE VIEW

2009-11-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

This is my view from where I spend my days working outdoors.

I live on the point with the white cliffs, beyond Paradise Cove.

I also took a few shots of the other side of the site from a higher vantage point to show the lush growth around the place.

On Planet Earth, a hummingbird shot from a little too close.

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it, & "Hi" to Olivia, who already did.

ALOE SUNSET

2009-11-24T21:59:00.000-08:00

My Aloe`s are in bloom now & the hummingbirds love it.

This is the aloe that you break a piece of to rub the milk on cuts & burns.

If you are not familiar with these beauties, mine are blooming to over 8 feet high.

The single main foreground bloom spray is over 1 foot high.

I had set out to shoot the squid boats at sunset but realized I was going to be too late, so I exited the highway stage left onto the beach where I just got a quick glimpse of the 'go down'.

I whipped into a parking spot, left Dave Brubeck on the radio, jumped out & plopped my camera on the top of the car.

What you see is not a lagoon but the reflection of the sunset of of the top of my car.

Tomorrow I will attempt the squid run again.

The sunset is linked to the aloe fireworks shot.

Enjoy the great weather while you can.

I sure am.

HOLA AMIGO

2009-11-23T22:01:00.000-08:00

"Hola amigo", is how my little friend greets me on the street at my house.

He walks out there with his nanny every day.

He always asks about Coconut, since the day Coconut flew over to the nanny.

At that time he ran & hid behind a tree, but I convinced him & her, that Coconut was just introducing himself to new friends.

Today he asked me if I knew that all the blue trash cans on the street were really stinky.

He was right up to the door of the car & I asked him if I could take his picture.

Once I snapped off a quick shot, he asked to see it.

When I showed him the LCD screen with his picture, he told me, "That`s not a good picture".

What do you think?

GARDEN PRICK

2009-11-22T21:37:00.000-08:00

These are images of my new garden & some individual inhabitants.

As you can see, some are showing their "stuff".

I`ve mixed up a few shots taken in my other garden on the beach side of the house, but all were taken today.

Between the ones linked to this shot & the ones linked to Planet Earth, you can see the whole shoot.

Have a great day.

I`m getting sunburnt here again.

FUMONGUS FUNGUS

2009-11-18T20:08:00.000-08:00

The other day on my cactus hunt, I drove by a tree I`d been by before.

A few years ago it had a huge fungus on it, which I shot.

I even entered it in one of the FotoFairs.

The other day, same tree, same fungus, but only fresh, & not the original one obviously.

I hope I haven`t already posted this new one.

I just took these shots last week, so I tend to doubt it.

There`s a series of them behind this one.

Enjoy, & have a nice day.

SEED BIRTH

2009-11-17T20:47:00.000-08:00

This is a seed breaking on through to our side.

It is from a Magnolia tree.

It smells very nice upon breaking it open.

It tastes real good at first nibble, but then turns quite bitter within seconds.

I`d consider it to be not an edible seed, although at this time I`d consider it non poisonous.

So far so good.

I also posted a sequence of shots taking you on a flagstone path to the "CRYING LADY" & back out to the front lawn area.

These were taken today to show you the greenery & beautiful sunshine here in Southern California.

I regret I can`t send more than images.

Have a great day.

Cactus Garden Preview

2009-11-15T18:58:00.000-08:00

This is what I`ve been doing for a week.

One hour every morning before work.

I got a jump on it last Sat. (A week ago), when I had six guys in to help build a new parking area, up by the street.

I expect a load of Pea Gravel to be delivered this week to cover all the plastic sheeting, put down to prevent weeds from growing.

It`s not the nicest spot to be crawling around in pulling weeds.

The cactus area is almost 40 feet long by 13 feet wide.

Use of these kind of plantings bring down the cost of watering to zero.

I still have a bunch of cactus to go in, but that`s something that I do all year as I collect more & more.

When it`s completed, I`ll post more individual shots of the specimens.

Have a spine free week.

BTW, I did collect a few hundred tiny fine spines from one particular cactus, while one of my workers had a large cactus spine go through his work shoe.

I pulled that one out with pliers, as for mine, I burnt them off with a lighter, leaving them flush with the skin & not so aggravating. I got away without burning my fingers too much either.

SLIP & SLIDE

2009-11-11T21:30:00.000-08:00

A bunch of shots I took today on my project site.

There are more on the other side.

Have a great day.

I know most of your greenery & flowers are gone till next spring so I`m simply trying to provide you with what I have to offer.

Remember, you have snow, something I have to drive an hour for.

ADAM`S APPLE

2009-11-10T21:22:00.000-08:00

I wish I`d had more time to shoot this squirming beauty, but I convinced the owner of it`s mild manners & hopefully I`ll get another longer opportunity.

Have a great day.

Night Sky

2009-11-09T21:42:00.000-08:00

Tonight`s sky at sunset in three merged images.

I also included a few daytime sky shots from earlier today.

My garden is coming along fine.

I`m going on a cactus collecting mission tomorrow to keep filling it out.

It`s starting to look like I pictured it.

Soon you`ll get to see it.

Have a great day.

COASTAL RUN

2009-11-08T19:54:00.000-08:00

I did a run up the coast on Sat. to get my head clear for my new garden & parking design at my place.

It had been in planning stages for about a year. Now it`s all coming together, as you`ll shortly have the privilege to critique.

The coastal fog was more persistent than usual but it was a fun ride.

On one side the palisade cliffs & on the other (linked to the image), the aquamarine Pacific.

Have a great week ahead.

I`ll be working on my garden an hour a day with some of my crew, before heading to the job sites I`m on, so I may have it done by the end of the week.

WATERCOLOR SCALES

2009-11-04T23:32:00.000-08:00

The scales on my Marine Betta look like they are painted on.

Beyond this shot I have the rest of the shoot I did of some of my reef inhabitants.

I installed a new set of lights in it over the weekend so I should be seeing some marked improvement in growth of the corals.

I am intending to go on a shopping spree in about a month once the lighting has balanced out the reef better.

Have a great day.

I`m very busy these days running different crews on two jobs so please bear with me.

Thank you.

GRAVEYARD ROCKER

2009-11-01T20:54:00.000-08:00

A little slice of my neighborhood on Halloween.

I took the day off today o put new lights in my reef.

I`ve been working on two projects simultaneously.

Luckily they`re next door to each other.

I can easily be at both places at once, so as long as I keep progress at full pace with my crews on both jobs, you can`t really call it double billing.

Did I mention it`s also in the high 70`s to low 80`s, & I got a bit sunburned last week.

The weather forecast is basically, a whole lot more of the same.

I just can`t catch a break now can I.

It`s just more shitty days in paradise.

Have a great week.

Don`t worry about our weather here.

We`re supposed to have El Ninos this year.

That means storms out into the Pacific coming in every 3/4 days for months.

HALLOWEEN APPROACH

2009-10-29T22:08:00.000-07:00

Tonight`s sunset in four shots. The weather is turning 'Halloweenish' these days & there`s a fresh crisp smell to it all.

Thursday night query; what is tomorrow`s theme?

PASSION FRUIT INNARDS

2009-10-26T21:26:00.000-07:00

Well I waited for the skin to wrinkle & cut it open today.

I now know why it`s called Passion Fruit.

It was deliciously exotic tasting.

I`m going to pick a bunch more tomorrow.

Have a great day.

Promise to AndiF

2009-10-25T22:41:00.000-07:00

Although this is not a good picture, I did promise it.

I usually shoot right up on the glass, but the anemone is right against it.

I have to step back & angle the camera to prevent flash reflection.

There are a few more beyond this one.

Have a nice week ahead, you all.

PURPLE PRIVACY

2009-10-22T21:52:00.000-07:00

I was at another friend`s place today & discovered another kind of Passion flower.
I discovered some candles in the sun (header) & some Hibiscus beauties (sidebar)
Have a great day & great passionate play.

PASSION FRUIT

2009-10-21T21:16:00.000-07:00

I went to visit a friend around the corner & brought back some Passion fruit & a few blossoms.
I`m testing the fruit for ripeness & if I like it, I`ll go back & get dozens of them.
It feels good to be back.

EYE OF THE TIGER

2009-09-28T02:41:00.000-07:00

As you may know, we`re in charge of a four & a half month old grandson for a week.
All is going swimmingly, but he`s constantly watching the world go by.