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photo by Donald Kinney
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photo by Donald Kinney
November 29, 2014
that blazing ball of fire in the sky
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photo by Donald Kinney
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photo by Donald Kinney
November 28, 2014
Lagunitas Creek -- stillness in the shallows
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photo by Donald Kinney
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photo by Donald Kinney
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photo by Donald Kinney
November 27, 2014
Lagunitas Creek -- in motion
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photo by Donald Kinney
I suppose the "water-woes" here in Marin County would be substantially less if we didn't care about preserving a habitat for wild Coho Salmon--a species that has been on the brink of extinction for years due to ocean pollution.
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photo by Donald Kinney
But drought or no drought, the State and Feds have mandated that a certain amount of water be released from our reservoirs to keep the Lagunitas flowing at levels sufficient to encourage spawning of the Cohos during Winter and early Spring.
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photo by Donald Kinney
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photo by Donald Kinney
November 26, 2014
Lagunigtas Creek -- like an old friend
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photo by Donald Kinney
I began visiting the colorful Lagunitas Creek about 12 years ago when I decided to resume my interest in photography. I've visited this same stretch of the creek--just upstream from Devil's Gulch--countless times.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Forgive me for bragging but I have formed an intimate relationship with just about every mystical tree and convoluted rock in the area, and I've also gotten to know the really mean berry vines and heartless stinging nettles.
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photo by Donald Kinney
November 25, 2014
low notes -- the reservoir at Nicasio
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photo by Donald Kinney
afternoon lowness...
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photo by Donald Kinney
morning lowness...
November 24, 2014
fog after the rain
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photo by Donald Kinney
We finally got some rain--not enough to get my creeks flowing...
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photo by Donald Kinney
...but enough to send fog cascading skyward during the drying-out process.
November 23, 2014
dramatic skies -- after a bit of rain
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photo by Donald Kinney
Well, it wasn't a whole lot of rain, but it was badly needed. The clouds put on quite a show.
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photo by Donald Kinney
A suitable sky-backdrop for some volunteer oats a bit past their prime.
November 22, 2014
the G.G.B. -- in two of her permutations
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photo by Donald Kinney
Now, here is a photo that has-been-to-hell-and-back. The original was sharp--this image has been cropped and played-with extensively.
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photo by Donald Kinney
I had a somewhat easier time of it with the south end of the bridge a few days earlier.
November 21, 2014
majestic beauty - towering above it all
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photo by Donald Kinney
Early morning, looking east from Big Rock at Lucas Valley.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Late afternoon, looking south from Hawk Hill above the Golden Gate.
November 20, 2014
symbolic colors -- of a primary nature
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photo by Donald Kinney
This colorful flag of clouds flew--although briefly--early Monday morning above our beloved Mount Tamalpais.
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photo by Donald Kinney
From a few years ago--colored light on the scalloped side of Coit Tower. White; signifies purity and innocence.
Red; hardiness and valor.
Blue; vigilance, perseverance and justice.
November 19, 2014
Fiery sunrises
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photo by Donald Kinney
Golden-yellow on a background of blue.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Red, orange, and yellow; plus a bit of fire.
November 18, 2014
Big sky
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photo by Donald Kinney
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photo by Donald Kinney
November 17, 2014
designs on low water
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photo by Donald Kinney
Afternoon clouds and setting sun over Elephant Mountain.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Enough angles and gradient differences to make a photographer happy.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Everybody calls it "the lake", but a fertile valley near Nicasio in west Marin County was flooded here in the 1950's to create an emergency storage reservoir. We've been in that emergency for the past 3 years.
November 16, 2014
Autumn comes to Marin
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photo by Donald Kinney
Their demise had been expected, and their age was definitely the cause. Unable to withstand wind and the added weight of light rain, leaves dropped, well, like leaves.
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photo by Donald Kinney
With the drought, not much in the way of Montbretia blooms this year. Sword-shaped leaves have been standing by patiently.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Montbretia (a.k.a.: Crocosmia) blossoms in a previous year.
November 15, 2014
Redwood grove on Ridgecrest Blvd, Mt. Tamalpais
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photo by Donald Kinney
Low spot on the long ridge, in the moist pathway of foggy clouds.
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photo by Donald Kinney
As you might know, Redwood trees get a substantial amount of water by absorbing it through their needles and pumping it to other parts of the tree.
November 14, 2014
Inverness -- on Tomales Bay
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photo by Donald Kinney
Inverness is located on the west shore of Tomales Bay, which runs southeast along the line of the San Andreas Fault. Surrounded by Point Reyes National Seashore, it is primarily a small residential community, with little industry other than tourism.
The region became the property of James Shafter, who began to develop the property in the 1890s. It became a summer resort where people from San Francisco and Oakland came to camp, hike and swim in Tomales Bay. Many built small summer cabins that still exist today. Small steamboats took excursions down the bay to secluded beaches. They left from Brock Schreiber's boathouse, which has been preserved and is a prominent local landmark with its prominent sign "Launch for Hire".
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photo by Donald Kinney
The town is a 15 miles or so to the east from Drake's Bay on the Pacific Ocean, named after Sir Francis Drake, who explored the coast in the 16th Century. Although Drake's official log was lost, the ship's doctor's log described landing in an area that reminded him of the White Cliffs of Dover. Drake's Bay is backed by similar-looking cliffs, leading many to believe this beach is where Drake's ship landed. source: Wikipedia
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photo by Donald Kinney
November 13, 2014
Nature meets City
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photo by Donald Kinney
The shallow Nicasio Reservoir waits for rain. We've been getting a smattering here and there...
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photo by Donald Kinney
The City doesn't wait for anyone or anything, including ominous clouds.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Hustle and bustle in the distance. A plethora of people slaving away.
Many--I'm sure, would enjoy being elsewhere; like the shoulder of Mt. Tamalpais, where I snapped this photo.
November 12, 2014
Marin color -- right there, can't miss it
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photo by Donald Kinney
With west Marin valleys already filled with low fog, this is the view to the north from the ridge of Mount Tamalpais at sunset.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Breakfast is looking good on the farm. Plenty of Shredded-Wheat on-hand.
November 11, 2014
moon and sun -- basic features in the sky
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photo by Donald Kinney
Eight-ball-in-side-pocket moon...
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photo by Donald Kinney
Candy-apple red setting moon...
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photo by Donald Kinney
A blazingly large sun, obscured by a bit of fog.
November 10, 2014
framing up a sunrise at San Quentin Village
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photo by Donald Kinney
Within 100 yards of the main gate at San Quentin is a delightful overlook of San Pablo Bay and the Richmond Bridge. Not far below is a very cool beach that--I'm guessing--goes unused by the 4,223 prisoners incarcerated nearby.
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photo by Donald Kinney
Eucalyptus trees can be quite full of art in their old age. They aren't native to this area but seedlings were brought in great numbers from Australia. Great claims were made for their usefulness; many did not live up to expectations. This tree grows fast and straight, but has a tendency to split as it dries, making it unsuitable for construction projects and furniture.
In the 1850s, Eucalyptus trees were introduced to California by Australians during the California Gold Rush. Much of California has a similar climate to parts of Australia. By the early 1900s, thousands of acres of eucalypts were planted with the encouragement of the state government. It was hoped that they would provide a renewable source of timber for construction, furniture making and railroad ties. It was soon found that for the latter purpose eucalyptus was particularly unsuitable, as the ties made from eucalyptus had a tendency to twist while drying, and the dried ties were so tough that it was nearly impossible to hammer rail spikes into them. source: Wikipedia
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