Narcissistic Fred

Though lately I have been seriously strapped for time, I decided that since I had business that direction anyway to visit Patricia and Dutch on their ranch last Saturday. As usual, I was not disappointed. Being birdy breeding season, the peahens were on eggs and the males were displaying up a storm.This time of year is a great time to view and photograph peacocks- the males have big full trains and are actively displaying- a lot! Fred is no different.

Fred is Dutch and Patricia's "yard peacock" along with his mate, Mary who is brooding eggs next to the aviaries. While the rest of the birds are tucked into large aviaries to keep the birds in and the predators out- you can't contain Fred. He struts the yard, and leaps to the roof top- and at night roosts in the biggest tree in the yard. He and Mary (along with a few others) are tame and trustworthy.

Fred spent most of my visit displaying in the yard- to no one in particular. Mary was tucked away brooding her eggs- the rest of the hens were away in their pairs and trios.

Fred was displaying for beauty's sake alone.

Sepia Sweet

Recently, it has come to my notice that there is a serious lack of photographers utilizing sepia tones to their full potential. Why is this? The world may never know for sure, but allow me to speculate.


Color images are loved for their vibrant hues and black and whites are adored for their artistic simplicity and ability to convey strong messages. Where does that leave the warm, mapley sepia? Many consider this style only when thinking about early images or western style images- the ones you get dressed up silly for at the state fair. However, this sugary style has its own sweet points.

Sepia images convey warmth along with the emotion and drama of a black and white- all the while giving you a little something thats hard to place- something different and a little lighter than its monochromatic counterpart.

With the versitility allowed by todays digital imaging, I am counting the days until this style comes back a little more. There are many ways to accomplish the look and more than a few ways to customize it to fit your your image, your home and your life.

If you feel yourself ever needing something light and warm in an image- consider playing with sepias- We all could do with a little something sweet in our lives.

Into the Mist

This image has been hiding in my private stash for quite a while. Not terribly sure what to do with it or even if I liked it- it collected dust for a bit.

Of course, my friend Paul is right about it. It looks best in larger sizes on black.


I think the reason I was hesitant to post this, is the feelings it evokes for me personally. They were so personal and strong that I was not sure others would or could see the same beauty in it that I did. Apparently I have been proven wrong by the comments of my colleagues upon viewing the image.

As explained here: "Early morning in La Jolla- the cormorants literally fall from the cliff sides to begin their morning search for food. The sleepier individuals wait and preen on the rocks.

Watching this was honestly the most calm and peaceful thing I have ever experienced. The birds are beautiful as they glide just over the water."

La Jolla, California is easily my favorite place I have ever had the fortune to visit. If I could afford to live there, I would drop my entire life and go. I can breathe there- in a way not possible anywhere else on this earth.

Standing at the edge of the world, watching the birds and the mist roll out and into the dawn- a calm takes over. Cool sea air washes past, complimented by the sound of the waves crashing onto the sharply cliffed shoreline. If I do not turn east to see the civilized world behind me things change. I become the only one and the world solely mine.

I take off my shoes and venture out onto the edge of the cliff side to where the waves are carving new tide pools among the ones already filled with oceany inhabitants. Kirk jokes that I feel so at home because I am with other crabs (since he says I am crabby).

Regardless of the reason I go, this is my place. This is where I can go to hide from the world or to ponder its intricacies.

I can find peace when I go into the mist.