335/365

Sunset at the Lake

I'm not usually out at sunset.  Tonight I was at the lake and this beautiful sunset happened.  The colors were so intense and for once I was able to capture the beauty.  

My heart is grateful for:

beautiful sunsets

334/365

The Kids on the Dock

Friends from church hosted a Graham-Cracker-House building party at their home on the lake. Before the event started, the teens were outside on the dock and there was a beautiful sunset.  When I saw the silhouettes of the kids, I couldn't resist getting a photo.

My heart is grateful:

for the young people in our church

137/365

Sunset at the Beach

After walking through town and having a delicious ice cream, we wandered down to the beach and saw this beautiful sunset.  I've never been good at photographing sunsets, but I tried again.  

This is just an average image, but being near the ocean soothes my soul.

My heart is grateful for:

the opportunity to spend some time near the ocean with a good friend 

14/365

Church Building Just Before Dusk

I saw this building about ½ hour before sunset and thought the light was so beautiful.  

I only had my phone camera with me and although it's fine as a small image, I probably can't enlarge it very much without it looking pixelated.  I need to start carrying my Big-Girl-Camera with me all the time. I did that for a while a few years ago, and more often than not I didn't find anything to photograph while I was out, so I stopped taking it with me.  

Maybe I need to rethink that habit.  

Some Time in Albany

31/365

 A friend and I decided to go to downtown Albany to photograph the architecture at dusk.  It was supposed to be a nice day, but as we began the drive the rain started.  Even though we were a little discouraged, we were determined to keep going since we had cancelled the same fieldtrip last week because of the rain.

When we arrived it was still raining but the Egg sheltered us and in just a short while the rain stopped.   There's not much more of a story to this.  We photographed until it was almost dark and we were cold enough that it wasn't enjoyable any more.

I think the rain was a blessing in disguise because of the interesting shiny patterns left on the ground.  

Still some nice color on the trees in the background

Back to Haleiwa

Okay, okay, so I'm in a rut. Haleiwa, turtles, turtles, Haleiwa. But they're irresistible. Yesterday Jackie and I went to Haleiwa, just for something to do. Then we headed up to the beach. Once again, no turtles for her to see, so we hung around for the sunset. It wasn't spectacular, but nice and it gave her something to practice on. Of course, just being on the beach at sunset was spectacular in itself!

Then, yep, you guessed it, back to Haleiwa for a light dinner. We decided to go to Cholo's--much more on that in my post for today. (this is my post for yesterday, Sunday) When we got our table outside, I decided to take a few shots to show Jackie the zooming technique. So I pointed my camera inside the restaurant and this is the result. The only one that I like, but I'm happy with it.

Then, instead of dessert, we went over to the Coffee Gallery and while Jackie was ordering, I started playing around with the different scenes in the store. It was dark by then, so the shutter speed was very slow, but I did manage to get a couple of images I like.

Another sign I love. I just might take Phil's suggestion and make a collage of all the funky signs I'm finding. I know a few people in NY who would probably love to have this sign in their house, or on their garage door. Fun!

So come back later. Cholo's will be the main topic. I'm headed out the door right now to drive up there. We got permission to go in before they open, so we can photograph with our tripods without interfering with their customers.

Posted on Mon. for Sunday, Mar. 1, 2009

And Yet Another Turtle (and that darned underline again)

I had to get the car inspected today, so I went online and found a place on the North Shore near Haleiwa, which is near Laniakea (the turtle beach). I thought I was going to need a search and rescue dog to find the place--but I finally did. Talk about tucked way back in the end of nowhere...

When I left there, I found my way to town and then to the beach, hoping, again, that the light would be nice and there might be some kind of sunset to brag about. WRONG!

Very cloudy skies, drab light and no color in the sunset. Oh well. So you get a picture of a turtle, yet again. Well, actually, two turtles and a volunteer (in the red visor) talking to 2 other volunteers who were, like me, just visiting the beach to hang out.

So just imagine the red glow in the sky, reflecting off the waves, and the sound of the water lapping up on the shore. I'll keep trying for the image of the pretty sunset, but you'll have to keep imaging the sound of the waves.

Posted at 7:30 on Monday, Feb 23, 2009

Pineapple Anyone?

I decided to take a ride to the Dole Plantation this afternoon. I spent the morning and the early part of the afternoon catching up on emails, bills, cleaning and just puttering around the house. Nathan went to his Grandma's this morning, so I had the house to myself. Glory!!!

But by mid afternoon, I was getting cabin fever. So I decided to take my camera and get some images at the plantation.

When you first arrive, there are several kiosks outside, specializing in Pick-a-Pearl. For anyone who doesn't know what that is, they spin a drum with pieces of paper and then you pick one out. It usually has a price on it or "free". This is the cost of the pearl you get when you "pick your pearl" by choosing a clam.

Once you get a pearl, you're encouraged to pick some jewelry to have the pearl "set" in. The jewelry is truly beautiful, and it's very, very difficult to say no.

There is a large pond on the grounds, filled with koi. I was standing on a small foot bridge and the people next to me were feeding the fish. You can see what a frenzy they were in.

There are many, many things to look at and purchase inside the building, including that delicious Pineapple Ice Cream I treated myself to last week with my friend, Sue. But I didn't succumb today, I was just there to look and photograph. Tucked into a corner, where I wouldn't be seen taking this photo, is this display of beautiful Hawaiian quilt wall-hangings. I just love the patterns and the colors, and you can buy almost any type of item made out of these quilts--purses, pot-holders, bed quilts, throw pillows, etc.

After finishing there, I headed toward the North Shore and stopped at Haleiwa again. Didn't take too many shots, but this sign caught my eye.

As a last resort, I headed to Laniakia Beach to see if there were any turtles basking and to see if maybe, just maybe there might be some kind of sunset. The weather has been so cloudy and rainy lately, that a pretty sunset seems like a thing of the past. This picture gives you an idea of the "grey" conditions this afternoon. But it was still beautiful.

And last, but not least, a turtle for Jayme. The light was pretty flat, but I did manage to catch this guy when he was moving his head. So there you go!!

Posted at 7:55 pm on Friday, Feb 20, 2009

Sunset

It was 4:35 pm when I looked out the window and saw this beautiful sky. I grabbed my camera, and even though the scene itself isn't a keeper, I was excited about capturing the beautiful light and color. Just two weeks ago, it would have been completely dark at 4:35. Not only that, but it's been so gray and gloomy lately, that seeing this bright scene was envigorating, albeit, short lived. Spring is on the way, hooray!