The Barn, Fairfax, California 94930

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photo by Donald Kinney

The proprietor of "The Barn" is a self-proclaimed "KOOK" and he makes little effort to hide the evidence. Yea! KOOKS -- KOOKS unite! -- We KOOKS rule!

In a dedicated effort to mind my own business I haven't asked any questions, but it seems like someone has built something on the flat roof and Fairfax Building Department caught-wind of what was going on. Well, at this point I'm guessing it's just a club-house -- maybe a roof-top lounge.



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This sign was posted months ago but it seems fitting, now more than ever.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Oh Lord, these days we have Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Iran, and North Korea to worry about, but back in the 1960's the threat of nuclear war was also real. And bad news on bad news -- now we know our nuclear power plants aren't safe. Oh Lord, just take me home now.



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Okay folks -- can you tell me why Building #7 fell in a "controlled demolition" manner, just like the Twin Towers? Just doesn't make sense since it wasn't hit by a jet.

Well, for years I thought that "9-11 conspiracy" people were total "KOOKS" -- but I have since come to question the official findings of 9-11. Curiously, Building #7 is completely omitted from the official 9-11 report.

http://www.ae911truth.org

Building #7 information.



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Greenbrae Boardwalk

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photo by Donald Kinney

Most everyone knows about the counter-culture house-boating and anchor-out communities of Sausalito, but not far away, and within spitting distance of San Quentin Prison, is the low-stilted commuinity of the Greenbrae Boardwalk.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Getting there takes the extra step -- that of walking down a long boardwalk, past decorated cottages, no two that are alike.



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A utilities box makes a great canvas, mirroring the surroundings.
That's the old train trestle that still stands nearby.



overhead photo of Greenbrae Boardwalk courtesy GoogleEarth



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photo by Donald Kinney

The passing of time is evident. Yet this place is an escape, very close to civilization but a million miles away.



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Somebody had better call the Coast Guard -- I think we have a shipwreck here...

CLICK for a great overhead photo and HIDDEN ECOLOGIES webpage story of Greenbrae Boardwalk.



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just upstream from the confluence of Devil's Creek

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photo by Donald Kinney

Roughly eight years ago I just happened to be out at Lagunitas Creek one morning with my "Sony advanced point-and-shoot". That was the day I discovered, for the first time, some rather awesome water reflections in the colorful creek. I have been captivated ever since.



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The day before yesterday I was back out at my beloved Lagunitas Creek (these days with a bigger camera and a bigger head) but it was reassuring to know that there would be treasure to find -- such as this iris...



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...and these ripples.




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People...

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All the people I know have round cartoon-like heads.



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I don't know these people but sometimes people like to cut-up for the camera.



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And universally, people like to preserve their best moments with photos.




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Nuns of Perpetual Indulgence celebrate Easter

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photo by Donald Kinney

Oh Lord, how am I going to explain the Nuns of Perpetual Indulgence?
Lets just say that EVERYTHING you've ever heard about San Francisco is absolutely true.



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Oh yeah, I realize that homophobia and the fear-of-the-unknown still has a grip on most of us, but really folks -- there is little danger.



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So anyway, on Sunday I caught wind that the Nuns of Perpetual Indulgence was holding an Easter party in San Francisco's Dolores Park.



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And what would an Easter bash be without an Easter bonnet contest...



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Oh, it was a real bash with great bands and some riotous skits put on by the world-famous "Cockettes" and the amazing "Thrillpeddlers".



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This fellow took top honors in the Easter bonnet contest. A cash prize was awarded but the kindly gentleman donated his prize money back to the Sisters. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence do a tremendous amount of charity work throughout San Francisco, granting thousands of dollars each year to needy Bay Area causes.

You can catch up on all of the current Sisterhood members by clicking here.



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what I found in Chinatown

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photo by Donald Kinney

My only regret is I don't have any information on these stamps -- the Chinese art supply store is always closed when I pass by. Maybe someone can help me out here, but I'm going to guess they represent classic Chinese sayings and concepts -- perhaps boring to some (as indicated by the two "boring" votes on yesterday's poll) but absolutely fascinating to an absolutely boring guy like me.



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A bowl of fruit for the good spirits -- sort of, I guess, like the American tradition of leaving a few cookies and a glass of milk out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve...



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The pork delivery drivers just hate getting their pictures snapped -- I'm always getting yelled at or waved off. But this is how it's done in San Francisco's Chinatown -- not a Safeway or Piggly-Wiggly Market in sight.



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I'm not too keen on getting stuck with needles, but I wonder if it might help with a few of my aches and pains. This morning I feel about 2000 years old.



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exploring vegetation

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photo by Donald Kinney

On Friday I headed up to part of a fire-road between Larkspur and Mill Valley that I had never explored. These are Redwood needles.



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The ferns couldn't have been happier.



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And it's all GO now.
Lord knows a lack of water has not been a problem this year.



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Pretty, isn't it?



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Spring has arrived in Marin County

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photo by Donald Kinney

Despite some filtered sunlight (which is great for wildflower photography) and a bit of drizzle, Spring has arrived in our beloved Marin County, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge.



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I suppose I'm going to have to buckle-down and do my research -- we have whitish-yellow Iris and we also have the deep blue-purple Iris. I'm assuming they are both Douglas Iris, but at this point I'm just guessing.



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photo by Donald Kinney

One thing for sure -- this is really a tremendous year for wildflowers! I am going to assume it is because of the tremendous amounts of rain we had in February.



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I'm just going to assume that pretty yellow stripe serves as a runway marker for visiting pollenators. Rather beautiful, isn't it?

And hey, by the way, thanks to everyone who contributed their votes on the polling for my Marin County Fair selections -- the data will help tremendously. The Fair isn't until early July so keep your suggestions coming if you spot something new that you think might be suitable. Again, I am SO bad at evaluating my own work. I really appreciate your input.



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last day to help evaluate photos for Marin County Fair

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photo by Donald Kinney

MY BABY IS BACK HOME -- and hopefully she will remain healthy until the stork delivers the new Canon5D Mark3 sometime later this year. It was a rough 12 days without the camera but I was surprised to get it back so quickly. I immediately put on the lens, adjusted the camera settings, and headed out to my beloved Mount Tamalpais to try my best to capture this year's exceptional bounty of Douglas Iris.

Thanks for your input the past several days in helping me evaluate my photos for the Marin County Fair photo exhibit. It has really helped and I appreciate your input. I'll be showing new shots going forward -- I'm just about ready to head out into the Great-Out-of-Doors to try to find them. Wish me luck.

Please rate this image and the three that follow, plus any others from earlier posts. More votes will translate into better selection data.

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please help me rate these images for Marin County Fair

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GREAT NEWS -- my camera is coming home from the hospital today. This is sooner than expected and the excitement is building. Oh yeah, it's been a rough 12 days since the shutter crapped out on me -- the 5D has over a quarter-million "snaps" on it now. Hopefully it will last a few more months until the new 26.7mp 5D-Mark3 model will be available.

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photo by Donald Kinney

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please help rate these photos for the Marin County Fair

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Thanks once again folks, for you input. If you just arrived, for the past few days and for a week or two to come (my camera is, sigh, in for repairs).

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help me evaluate these photos for the marin county fair

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photo by Donald Kinney

Thanks once again folks, for you input. Can't express how much I appreciate it! I am SO bad at choosing my own work. This will help greatly.

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photo by Donald Kinney

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photo by Donald Kinney

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photo by Donald Kinney

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