Uploads from swazileigh (on/off/on/off), tagged california

Pearl Street Beach- Laguna, Southern CA

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 23:39:30 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

This was a previously unknown and now discovered gem!!(to me)... this is at the end of the beach near the Surf and Sand Hotel....during low tide, you can walk through that arch and climb up on that rock and enjoy many a rocky pool with starfish and sea anemone hanging onto the sides of the rock pools. This is also a dog friendly beach at certain times of the day....
This photo was taken at sunset but there wasn't much color that night....just a nice glow on the rocks...
Have a great weekend everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in awhile... the Energizer Bunny in me's batteries ran flat ;-)

Thanks very much for your visits and comments!!

Rockitt Beach time = Sunset time!!

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 23:39:30 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

they say He's "man's Best friend"..... :-) The amount of times I have been fortunate to get a sunset shot because my boy "Rockitt" wanted to go to the beach to play is awesome!.... the getting Rockitt "in a shot" is PRICELESS!!!! :D

Good morning Sunshine....:D

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Mon, 27 May 2013 22:30:55 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

Happy Birthday to me!!... This was last weekend as I woke up to my Birthday in Laguna Beach California!! My friend hooked us up with a Family and Friends Ocean view room at the "Surf and Sand Hotel". I highly recommend this place if you have a little cash to burn!! It has the most awesome beach, the Resort is great. The restaurant is hit and miss- it gets 12/10 for Ambiance (picture crashing waves right infront of you while you eat in the candlelight) but the food needs work...
I was surprised that they were pet friendly but most grateful... we even got to walk our pup along the beach during the day. It was a perfect weekend and a perfect Birthday!!
Feeling blessed!

Have a great week everyone!!
Thanks for your visits!!

Intensity over Corona Del Mar State Beach, California

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Sat, 11 May 2013 10:27:23 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

No filters!!!!....really! It was that intense..... but... I have to say... I largely "missed" the sunset... because during the peak of this "light show"- I was staring down a barrel of a zoom lens and didn't take the time to take it all in!! Bummer! When I got to work the next day, all my co workers were talking about the "fantastic sunset we had last night".... and I felt sad.... although "I was there", and... "I captured it to prove it".... I wasn't "REALLY" there! ....anyone else ever feel like that....? So busy running around trying to "capture the moment" and "get the shot".... that we actually "Miss Life" (a bit)?? .... can anyone tell I've been doing some self reflecting this week?? haha

Iconic "Painted Ladies" in San Francisco's "Full House"

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Wed, 08 May 2013 23:10:41 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

Anyone home???
...3rd times a charm.... Dreaming again....What would it have been like to grow up in San Francisco? Did you grow up watching "Full House" like me? Loved that show!!!

Hope you're all having a great week!!
Thanks for your comments and fave's!! :D

Extra intel: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_ladies

{EXPLORED #312} Whimsical and Dreamy Southern California Sunset in Victoria Beach

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Sun, 05 May 2013 14:49:27 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

There I go again... dreaming! :D
What would it be like to live in that house... on the cliff... behind Rapunzel's Tower...over there...!!???
Well, for now... I'll just come and enjoy photographing it at sunset! haha
Hope you'all have a great week! Thank you for your comments and faves!!

Thank you for Explored :-)

A lucky break! (best viewed large)

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:57:47 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

Hi Everyone! I hope you'all had a great weekend! I did a little Spring cleaning (love to hate it, hate to love it... know what I mean!!?? lol)
So, this little gem was pure luck... we were headed down to Victoria Beach in Laguna to let little Rockitt (my dog) get some play time... I almost left my camera behind as I was looking at the sky by my house and "not a cloud in the sky"... I wasn't excited to photograph a sunset without clouds.... BUT, right as we hit 1 mile from the beach, the marine layer rolled in... this color showed up for just a couple minutes and then...done!! I was pretty excited about the way this turned out! Hope you like it too!
Have a great week!
x
Leigh

~On Top of The World~

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 23:41:22 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

In search of some Wildflowers and some GREEN this weekend near Bakersfield, I found Heaven!
"Wind Wolves Preserve" is a little slice of Heaven.... I was a few weeks late for the Wildflowers here as they had already peaked.... apparently all the "brown" bits were YELLOW flowers and the Ranger said it was a beautiful sight!....now you have to hike into those hills/ mountains- 4 miles in to see a spectacular display of flowers.... ( a little too ambitious for me at this time still ;-)
Either way- I was in Heaven with this view- Food for my SouL!!!Green is my favourite colour!!... on hills~ IDEAL!! :D

Thanks to jojo (imagesofdream) for telling me about this place!!.... It is one of the nicest, well maintained and gorgeous Preserves I have visited!! (near Bakersfield... of all places haha)

I will be back to EXPLORE some MORE!!!

Have a great week everyone! Thanks for all your visits and comments... please excuse my sporadic responses while I still catch up on being off work for almost a month...
x
L

Liquid Gold sunset to close out a perfect Easter Day :D

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:07:05 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

I hope you had a great Easter and weekend! Thanks for all your kind comments on my recent photos!!

I almost missed this spectacular display of color. I thought it was a wash out... we had a little sprinkle of rain and then totally overcast. Within 40 minutes to spare - I saw a small chance of a breakthrough in the clouds and I decided to risk it!- rushed down to Corona Del Mar and was rewarded with this. It was super low tide so that was cool to get some different shots. This was my favorite!
Hoping for Spring and green for you all soon ;-)

HE is Risen! Happy Easter everyone :D

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 08:34:15 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

Taken on a hike in the San Gabriel Mountains.....

Nikon D800-Idyllic sunset on the quieter side of Balboa Island, California

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:34:34 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

Well, this is the 2nd time out with my new camera!! :D ... Debut Nikon D800 "Take II". I am uploading 4 new images. I have been forced to start processing all my RAW images since my "regular" photo editing SW did not handle RAW so I've got LightRoom on trial. Imagine that I have been shooting "Fine & RAW for over a year now and never done anything with all the RAW images till now....

I think I can notice a 'bit' of a difference in the quality of the D800 now processing RAW files (haha)... shame about the user not knowing how to use the camera still though... ;-)

SHOUT OUT to ALL my Flickr friends who "toiled" with me while I decided to keep the D800 or switch to D800e or Canon! GASP! (I know, I know ;-).... you've all been super accomodating and helpful and I am thankful for you all.... you know who you are!!! :D (and...I have of ton of admiration for the Canon 5D Mark II and III shooters!!)

About this Series: The CABIN FEVER was setting in and I went back into the office officially on Friday... So I treated myself to my first long walk- around (half of) "Balboa Island". This is such a quaint little Village with the buzzing of the Main street having all the shopping and Eateries. You drive onto it from Pacific Coast Highway and past Main Street; you can drive on through the town center and neighborhood to the other side (The Bay) where you can catch a little car ferry over to Balboa Peninsula which takes you up into Newport Beach, Lido Island and beyond... I love this area and dream of affording a house here.... I pick out my dream home every time I come... I saw quite a nice new one this time- not typically my style but it had heavy wood work in the "raised" ceilings inside which was quite attractive and interesting so I snapped a couple photos to include ;-)

Have a great week Flickr friends! Its going to get real busy for me as I get back into the swing of every day life again! Thanks again for all your visits, comments and faves that brighten my days!!! xx

D800-Reflecting on the quieter side of Balboa Island, California

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:34:33 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

I love this boat- the colours and the "shabby chic"!!! I also like how the colour of the water turned out, the glassy reflection and the foam looks like bits of ice... :D ...am in Europe somewhere?

Well, this is the 2nd time out with my new camera!! :D ... Debut Nikon D800 "Take II". I am uploading 4 new images. I have been forced to start processing all my RAW images since my "regular" photo editing SW did not handle RAW so I've got LightRoom on trial. Imagine that I have been shooting "Fine & RAW for over a year now and never done anything with all the RAW images till now....

I think I can notice a 'bit' of a difference in the quality of the D800 now processing RAW files (haha)... shame about the user not knowing how to use the camera still though... ;-)

SHOUT OUT to ALL my Flickr friends who "toiled" with me while I decided to keep the D800 or switch to D800e or Canon! GASP! (I know, I know ;-).... you've all been super accomodating and helpful and I am thankful for you all.... you know who you are!!! :D (and...I have of ton of admiration for the Canon 5D Mark II and III shooters!!)

About this Series: The CABIN FEVER was setting in and I went back into the office officially on Friday... So I treated myself to my first long walk- around (half of) "Balboa Island". This is such a quaint little Village with the buzzing of the Main street having all the shopping and Eateries. You drive onto it from Pacific Coast Highway and past Main Street; you can drive on through the town center and neighborhood to the other side (The Bay) where you can catch a little car ferry over to Balboa Peninsula which takes you up into Newport Beach, Lido Island and beyond... I love this area and dream of affording a house here.... I pick out my dream home every time I come... I saw quite a nice new one this time- not typically my style but it had heavy wood work in the "raised" ceilings inside which was quite attractive and interesting so I snapped a couple photos to include ;-)

Have a great week Flickr friends! Its going to get real busy for me as I get back into the swing of every day life again! Thanks again for all your visits, comments and faves that brighten my days!!! xx

Let your imagination sail away~ Balboa Island, Southern California

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:34:35 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

Don't you love it when you take a photo and it makes you feel completely like you were "somewhere else"!!!.. When I look at this shot- I feel like I am in the Caribbean somewhere....

Well, this is the 2nd time out with my new camera!! :D ... Debut Nikon D800 "Take II". I am uploading (4) new images. I have been forced to start processing all my RAW images since my "regular" photo editing SW did not handle RAW so I've got LightRoom on trial. Imagine that I have been shooting "Fine & RAW for over a year now and never done anything with all the RAW images till now....

I think I can notice a 'bit' of a difference in the quality of the D800 now processing RAW files (haha)... shame about the user not knowing how to use the camera still though... ;-)

SHOUT OUT to ALL my Flickr friends who "toiled" with me while I decided to keep the D800 or switch to D800e or Canon! GASP! (I know, I know ;-).... you've all been super accomodating and helpful and I am thankful for you all.... you know who you are!!! :D (and...I have a ton of admiration for the Canon 5D Mark II and III shooters!!)

About this Series: The CABIN FEVER was setting in and I went back into the office officially on Friday... So I treated myself to my first long walk- around (half of) "Balboa Island". This is such a quaint little Village with the buzzing of the Main street having all the shopping and Eateries. You drive onto it from Pacific Coast Highway and past Main Street; you can drive on through the town center and neighborhood to the other side (The Bay) where you can catch a little car ferry over to Balboa Peninsula which takes you up into Newport Beach, Lido Island and beyond... I love this area and dream of affording a house here.... I pick out my dream home every time I come... I saw quite a nice new one this time- not typically my style but it had heavy wood work in the "raised" ceilings inside which was quite attractive and interesting so I snapped a couple photos to include ;-)
Have a great week Flickr friends! Its going to get real busy for me as I get back into the swing of every day life again! Thanks again for all your visits, comments and faves that brighten my days!!! xx
Technical Details:
Nikon D800
2 image bracketed blend in Photomatix to HDR
f/8 8sec ISO 100
f/8 3 sec ISO 100
Nikkor lens 10-24 mm

Give me a Mountain road any day....(10) image Photojournalistic tour - the greener side of Big Bear Mountains :D

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:36:38 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

(9) of 10 Wet and muddy- off the beaten path above Big Bear Lake...somewhere! Ahhh! Heaven.....

Hi Everyone,

Happy Weekend!!!Thanks for all your comments and faves on previous post!!!!

I thought we'd go from the Desert of Anza Borrego to some nice green scenes!!

In the mountains above Big Bear Lake in San Bernadino County, Southern California is a smaller beautiful lake- much of it on private property. This area is Big Bear's best kept secret !! and I am keeping it because I forgot the name of this place. Haha! Big Bear is a great weekend destination to get away from it all... if you go, be sure to eat at Evergreen International Restaurant.... I've eaten there several times and the food has always been exceptional (plus they let us on the patio with our furry friend ;-)

(10) image Photojournalistic tour - the greener side of Big Bear Mountains :D

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:36:42 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

(3) of 10 Three ducks and a pond ;-)
Hi Everyone,

Happy Weekend!!!Thanks for all your comments and faves on previous post!!!!

I thought we'd go from the Desert of Anza Borrego to some nice green scenes!!

In the mountains above Big Bear Lake in San Bernadino County, Southern California is a smaller beautiful lake- much of it on private property. This area is Big Bear's best kept secret !! and I am keeping it because I forgot the name of this place. Haha! Big Bear is a great weekend destination to get away from it all... if you go, be sure to eat at Evergreen International Restaurant.... I've eaten there several times and the food has always been exceptional (plus they let us on the patio with our furry friend ;-)

(10) image Photojournalistic tour - the greener side of Big Bear Mountains :D

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:36:42 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

(2) of 10 Shortly before I shot this- we were treated to lightning and a thundershower! We had to take cover....

Hi Everyone,

Happy Weekend!!!Thanks for all your comments and faves on previous post!!!!

I thought we'd go from the Desert of Anza Borrego to some nice green scenes!!

In the mountains above Big Bear Lake in San Bernadino County, Southern California is a smaller beautiful lake- much of it on private property. This area is Big Bear's best kept secret !! and I am keeping it because I forgot the name of this place. Haha! Big Bear is a great weekend destination to get away from it all... if you go, be sure to eat at Evergreen International Restaurant.... I've eaten there several times and the food has always been exceptional (plus they let us on the patio with our furry friend ;-)

(10) image Photojournalistic tour - the greener side of Big Bear Mountains :D

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:36:43 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

(1) of 10 Mirror Mirror on the wall.....

Hi Everyone,

Happy Weekend!!!Thanks for all your comments and faves on previous post!!!!

I thought we'd go from the Desert of Anza Borrego to some nice green scenes!!

In the mountains above Big Bear Lake in San Bernadino County, Southern California is a smaller beautiful lake- much of it on private property. This area is Big Bear's best kept secret !! and I am keeping it because I forgot the name of this place. Haha! Big Bear is a great weekend destination to get away from it all... if you go, be sure to eat at Evergreen International Restaurant.... I've eaten there several times and the food has always been exceptional (plus they let us on the patio with our furry friend ;-)

{Explored May 11th #89} Explosion- of Color in Southern California

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Sat, 11 May 2013 10:27:23 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

....and this is why I love to live in Southern California!!!
Happy weekend!!!....After missing Monday's stunning sunset, I have been taking my camera to work every other day this week hoping to see the signs of a great sunset to capture... and well, I almost missed this one and I was messing around too much with my zoom lens during the peak of the color (see next photo)... I finally found a spot where I could salvage the shoot and still catch some color after settling for "on the beach" composition vs "from the cliffs above". I really want to learn more about the "angle" of lens.... for example- if I was looking at this image for the first time and I didn't know this coastline- it would appear that these rocks in the frame were "big" and this was a zoomed out shot.... but in truth, this was a "close up" .... well, as close as I could get to get some wave action on the beach and keep the "3's" rule of the rocks.... (the seaweed that washed up threw a tiny kink in my chain- haha)
I also cropped this because there were some drifting clouds that make my shot look dirty, added it in comments section... what do you think? Crop or no crop?

Thanks everyone for your comments and fave's ;-)
Happy Mothers Day to ALL our mom's out there!

A field of Green....

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 14:26:39 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

View "Large".... California Oaks and Wildflowers... a DREAM come true!!!!....I just need a picnic blanket & basket full of goodies to lay under that tree................................................................oh, and wire cutters to get through all the barbed wire separating us!!........... this was such glorious scenery in the foothills above Arwin, a one horse town near Bakersfield, CA..... but who can enjoy it??? The no trespassing signs and miles of barbed wire fences is a great deterrence!!... I dream of owning property like this-I am a sucker for big California Oaks and rolling green hills--> I vow to put in a little gate with a sign that says "photographers welcome~ leave only footprints" :D Then the world would be a better place! haha!

This image was captured with a zoom lens I rented for the weekend to try it out. So far I have not decided which "FULL FRAME" lenses to invest in and its been quite a fun challenge trying to get shots with the make shift DX lenses I own from my D5100.

Anyone have opinions about which lenses will be the best for me with the D800?

Thanks for all your comments and faves- you are loved!! Have a great week! Happy Sunday! (even if the sun isn't out)
x
L

D800-Testing "heavy crop" on the quieter side of Balboa Island, California

nobody@flickr.com (swazileigh (on/off/on/off)) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:34:32 -0700

swazileigh (on/off/on/off) posted a photo:

Uploads from swazileigh (on/off/on/off), tagged california

Pearl Street Beach- Laguna, Southern CA

Rockitt Beach time = Sunset time!!

Good morning Sunshine....:D

Intensity over Corona Del Mar State Beach, California

Iconic "Painted Ladies" in San Francisco's "Full House"

{EXPLORED #312} Whimsical and Dreamy Southern California Sunset in Victoria Beach

A lucky break! (best viewed large)

*~On Top of The World~*

Liquid Gold sunset to close out a perfect Easter Day :D

HE is Risen! Happy Easter everyone :D

Nikon D800-Idyllic sunset on the quieter side of Balboa Island, California

D800-Reflecting on the quieter side of Balboa Island, California

Let your imagination sail away~ Balboa Island, Southern California

Give me a Mountain road any day....(10) image Photojournalistic tour - the greener side of Big Bear Mountains :D

(10) image Photojournalistic tour - the greener side of Big Bear Mountains :D

(10) image Photojournalistic tour - the greener side of Big Bear Mountains :D

(10) image Photojournalistic tour - the greener side of Big Bear Mountains :D

{Explored May 11th #89} Explosion- of Color in Southern California

A field of Green....

D800-Testing "heavy crop" on the quieter side of Balboa Island, California

~On Top of The World~