Lavender days of summer

Ahh the hazy, lavender days of summer. Relaxing by the pool with a refreshing beverage, enjoying the summer sunshine. For me, it means extended hours of daylight to take photos (of course):  

This lavender plant grows in my garden, and smells amazing. Beauty and relaxation in my backyard -- but most importantly, a photo subject.

Every time I look at this image, it reminds me of lavender vanilla ice cream, or a lavender mojito recipe I have been wanting to try.

What does this image make you think of? Let me know in the comments below.

Urban sunset

 

Sometimes, living in the San Fernando Valley isn't so bad. Not when I look up in the sky and see gorgeous colors like this.

Digital Garden

 

A couple of months ago I had a small surgery, and haven't exactly been mobile since. I knew that I had to have this particular ailment fixed, and that it would take a bit to heal, and it would be a while before I would be able to get out and take photos.

One of the things on my list of many preparations in the weeks before, was to take a morning trip with my camera to Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge. I am so glad I did, because months later, as I scroll through my library of photos (very few from June, none from July) I get to see a digital garden. The above image was taken on that day with my Tamron 90mm macro lens at ISO 400, f/4, 1/1000.

I converted this image from color to black and white because I really like the composition and the lines, and wanted to focus on those things about the image.

Thanks for stopping by!

Birdies

I had no idea that the Los Angeles Arboretum had peacocks, peahens, and a gaggle of other birds cruising around the property; I had never been there before last week. I also did not realize that peacocks and peahens flew. Those are big birds!

While my beloved distracted a peacock after much debate about whether they attack, I got close to the bird's tail (longer than Kate Middleton's train, might I add) with my Tamron 90 mm:

Neither of us were attacked, I got my photo while a bird that can only be left over from the Jurassic period eyed me up and down, calling to his buddies to keep me in check.

Thanks for stopping by!