Open wide

Descano Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, California, isn’t as big as Huntington Gardens in Pasadena, which I visited during my visit two years ago, but it’s large, beautiful, and much less expensive.  My daughter suggested I go there the last day of my visit and am I glad I did!  I spent well over two hours walking, smelling, sitting, changing lenses on my Nikon, and taking photos with my iPhone.  It was such a wonderfully overwhelming experience that I finally reached the point at which I could not take one more photo or linger in one more garden area!

This shot qualifies for Sally’s theme of “Macro” this week. I like it because it looks as though the flower is sticking its tongue out or the doctor or dentist said, “Say ahhhh.”

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Nature juxtaposed

On Monday, I like to participate in Sally’s mobile photography challenge, open to anyone who takes photos with a non-traditional camera, as my phone/camera goes with me everywhere.  The first Monday’s theme is “Nature” and, having been to Yosemite, my natural tendency was to go with something spectacular from there.  After all, what isn’t spectacular there?

But, southern California having a very different climate from that of the Chicago area, nature is also everywhere in the city even now, a juxtaposition I enjoyed greatly, as with the exotic beauty of this bird of paradise bloom against the neutral-colored background of a Spanish-themed apartment complex: city and nature, striking and subdued. Perhaps if you live there, their beauty becomes passé, but to winter-jaded eyes, they were a glorious sight.

Sally D’s Mobile Photography Challenge: Black and White…leaf or jawbone?

How can it already by the third Monday of March?  It’s truly March Madness* and not the basketball sort!  However, the third Monday means it time to go retro with a black and white photo and here’s my choice for this week. I hope you enjoy it.

This may be my last post for a while, as I head for California tomorrow morning for a visit with our older daughter.  A short trip to Yosemite is in the plans, weather willing, and I’m taking my Nikon as well as my iPhone.  I’m quite sure you’ll see some of whatever I see during the trip at some time in the not-to-distant future.  🙂  I’m very excited about that trip, as I haven’t been to Yosemite since I was a child, more than a few years ago, and I’ve never been there at this time of year.

Until then, keep well.  I’ll miss you! (I’ll respond to any comments, just not post or read other posts.)

*For those of you not from the US, March Madness is what they call the men’s college basketball tournament that determines the national champion.  It runs for a good part of March all over the US.

 

Sally D’s Mobile Photography Challenge: Macro…the heart of a flower

These days, spring comes closer, only to flirtatiously retreat, leaving me craving color.  That desire lures me deep into the heart of a flower this week with this macro shot.  Dive in with me. Drown in color! Who knows what you’ll find in the heart.

Sally D’s Mobile Photography Challenge: Nature…morning light

Another month has begun.  The weather in Chicagoland is typically spring-like:  warm, cold, rain, a bit of snow, sun, thunderstorm…mix and repeat.  Underneath it all, I can feel spring waiting, edging gradually into sight.  Daffodils and daylilies bravely poke their leaves out further each day.   The cold is a little less frigid, a bit more cool.  It’s coming and one of the blessings is the longer daylight.  The downside is you have to get up earlier to catch a sunrise shot.  The upside is you can enjoy this one while still in your pj’s, sipping your morning cup of coffee or tea.  How good is that?

Sally D’s Mobile Photography Challenge: Challenger’s Choice…Still life in copper

The fourth week of the month, Sally allows us to go a little wild and crazy, choosing our theme from a number of choices…maybe even one that’s not included…gasp!  My still life selection comes from Philadelphia’s Rim Cafe’s eclectic mix of decorations.

Sally D’s Mobile Photography Challenge: Black & White…carousel

You gotta do something while waiting for luggage to emerge from the bowels of the airport onto the baggage carousel.  In my case, after choosing just the right spot, I take photos of the carousel.  🙂  Sally’s Black and White theme for the third Monday of the month seems like the perfect place for this shot.  We’re making  12+ hour trip today from Philadelphia to Chicago, but we’re driving, so our luggage is all with us and flies free, just like it does on Southwest.  Yes, that’s a shameless plug for my favorite airline.

Happy Monday!