FMTSO-Water

It's been a long while since I've posted anything in this space. I'm still very much active with my photography and in my camera club, but quite honestly, I've been more focused on my mail blog. Today I decied to join in on the Friday My Town Shoot Out because I have always loved participating in the different themes. And, because I have time for once. And because I kinda miss it. Today's theme is all about water. None of these were taken where I live, however, I take a lot of road trips and I think it's appropriate to showcase here, especially, since one of the photos come from the town I grew up in.

The above photo was taken in Oceanside, California. The photo isn't very sharp but in my defense it was a very windy day and I took this from quite a distance away while standing on the pier. This was taken in April while on a field trip with my camera club. Two other ladies and myself drove to Oceanside on our own in an attempt to catch the sunset. While waiting for the sun to go down, I captured these boys on their surfboards.

The above photo is the Kern River which flows through my hometown that I grew up in. This particular area is actually in the town of Kernville about an hour drive from where I used to live. This guy in the kayak is practicing maneuvers for his job as a river guide. The Kern River is very popular for white water rafting. When I was in highschool I lived for summers. They were the best because a bunch of us kids would float down the river with tubes tied together. It was so much fun. I really miss the river a lot.  The closest river to Las Vegas is Laughlin. Sometimes I will take a drive there but it's just not the same.

The photo above was taken this past weekend in Yosemite National Park in an area called Tuolumne Meadows. I love lakes and rivers more than the ocean. Granted, this photo was taken at the wrong time of day and it was a bit hazy out but I love this photo nonetheless. It's so serene.

A fallen pinecone rests in the water at Tuolumne Meadows.

This photo was taken in an area called Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite National Park. It's about a two hour drive from Tuolumne Meadows. These boats belong to the park ranger. We drove to Hetch Hetchy Valley to see the dam that was built in 1923.  We walked across the dam and through a tunnel to the other side. It was great exercise but it was really hot out. I was sweating profusely.

This is a picture of my husband taking photos. This is the other side of the dam after walking through the tunnel. 

I took this from the bridge of the dam. I had to squeeze my camera lens through the railing to get this shot. I'm not sure it's a waterfall in the normal sense, but water was coming out of these rocks hard, fast, and loud. I love the sound it made. Almost like big waves at the ocean, except it was at a river.

Coming back from Hetch Hetchy this is past Tuolumne Meadows and closer to the entrance of the park. I could sit here all day and just listen to the water flow over the rocks. It's a good way to quiet the mind and to mediate. Shortly after leaving this spot it began pouring rain.  We were headed to a campground to have dinner with fello photographers, about 18 people total. But when we pulled into the camp, I didn't have an umbrella or a warm jacket and I personally did not want my hot dog bun to get soggy. So I was the snob of the group and I went and got food somewhere else. My husband and I came back with a bottle of wine and some beer once the rain stopped, about 15 minutes later. 

I have some more photos that I took on this trip, specifically of Mono Lake. However, these are mostly sunrise and sunset photos so maybe I will post those next week for the theme of sunsets.

I hope you al enjoy my photos as much as I enjoy looking at yours. 

For those interested but not a part of the Friday Town Shoot Out please click on the link to browse all of the amazing water shots for this theme.

Have a fantastic weekend. 

I have a camera club meeting tonight. Our guest speaker is Cole Thompson who lives in Colorado. Check out his fantastic photography on his website.  Also, if interested you can learn more about my camera club here.

Thanks for stopping by.

FMTSO: 4th Anniversary

In this week's post share something about FMTSO.

Tell us when you started linking up with us, share memories, repost your favorite theme from one of our topics, or talk about the friends you have made. If you have a chance, invite one of our former participants to come back and link up this week or just to stop by and say hi. You can find them in the older posts linkys, comments or the side bar listing which has not been updated in a while. You don't need to know them to invite them. Just introduce yourself and extend the invitation.

Let's make this a special week!

 

 

This is the very first photo I ever posted in FMTSO.
It was July 17, 2009 and the theme was Yard Objects.
I have posted a lot of photos of my beloved Sasha in the Friday My Town Shoot-Out.
I remember I was very nervous to post anything at all because I wasn't real familiar with the blogging community and I was afraid that my pictures would be seen as boring and amateurish.
(they were very amateurish)
It's amazing to me when I look back on all my posts for the FMTSO, how much my photography has evolved since then.
Honestly, If it weren't for the FMTSO gang I probably would not have had the desire to join the Nevada Camera Club which I solely did for the purpose of getting better for the FMTSO themes.

Just as Ginger mentioned the passing of Barry, it also is very significant for me as well.
I gained so much inspiration and compassion by reading every single word that Barry wrote.
He was such a talented writer and so brave and positive.
I felt such genuine love for this man that I never met before and I was heartbroken when he left this earth. I remember we did a special post about Barry and this is what I posted.

Barry's death really impacted me a lot harder than I anticipated and my reaction took me by surprise. Here is my tribute to Barry. These are just a few of the things that Barry has inspired me to think about or rather when I think about Barry these are the words that come to my mind.

 

Also, when I think of Barry I can't help but think about my sister and what she's going through.

Today, Feb. 28, 2013 I went back and read the last few posts on Barry's blog and I cried.
See my photo above with all the words about Barry-well, I just erased that board about two weeks ago. That's how long I kept the tribute to Barry hanging on my wall.
I'm not sure why I felt such a connection to him, but I did and I admired him in many ways.
RIP Barry!

I also really appreciate two comments that Pauline and Rebecca made on this post.

Also, at one point Ginger and I decided to collaborate a writing project on another blog.
It was off to a good start but vacations, first her then I, and the death of her husband and my health issues stalled that project but I am very proud of what little we accomplished and I got to know Ginger on a more intimate level. It was challenging and fun. You can read our stuff here. 

I feel connections with several people in the FMTSO.
I'm not sure they feel the same about me but there are a few that I think I would get along well with in person and would love to meet someday.
With that being said, I did get the opportunity to meet a blogger from the FMTSO gang back in 2011.
Doreen came to Las Vegas and I played tour guide.
I for one, had a great time while she was here and it was awesome to meet someone from the blogging community.
I have pictures and a whole post about the visit which you can read here.

I'm not really sure I have a favorite post but I can say this:
All the people in this group are so talented, nice, inspiring, creative and real.
I am so happy that I found all of you because during the times I am feeling low, it is you who always motivates me to a higher elevation.

Thank you, FMTSO gang!
I love you all very much and I thank you for still being here.

If you'd like to participate or just read other entries click here for the list.