Lagunitas Creek, a very peaceful place

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photo by Donald Kinney

Despite the roar of rushing water here and there, the Lagunitas Creek is a very peaceful place. Obviously there was no rushing water near this tranquil spot.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And thank goodness that there are seldom any other people around -- for they would surely ask me what I was staring at in the creek. It's all so difficult to explain right there on the spot.



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photo by Donald Kinney

But the jazzy water is loud -- it really likes to make a statement.
Or looking at it differently, it might be some mixture of colorful chemicals used in the manufacture of god-knows-what.



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And there is still water, bordered by darkness. Perfect place for a poet...


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the lazy photographer

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photo by Donald Kinney

Okay, okay, I'll admit it -- I'm 100% lazy -- this particular vantage point of our beloved Mount Tamalpais (((on the Fairfax-to-Bolinas Road))) doesn't even require getting out of the car. Our Volunteer Oats are tall this year.

Oh, I've shot from this spot several times before, and I usually DO get my lazy butt out of the car for my shots, but not on Friday.

Here's how my beloved and wild Kitty posed with the wild oats in 2008:



CLICK for a few variations taken from this spot on what I call my "Big" site.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Yes, photographing dramatic clouds is as easy as shooting-fish-in-a-barrel
(((I probably should work on a better phrase))).



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photo by Donald Kinney

So easy that I made two cloud photos.
One for you and one for me. Take your pick.


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more wet grass, Roy's Redwoods

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photo by Donald Kinney

A million billion trillion little jewels of water;
"May I wrap those up for you?" and "Will that be cash, plastic, or free?"



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photo by Donald Kinney

And maybe, lets take a closer look -- don't want to get these home and find out that they're the wrong size.



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Oh, it always happens -- I go to the store for some water-drops and then I end up coming home with everything I don't need. Oh well, Dandelion blossoms are in season now -- I thought I should stock up.


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wet grass at Roy's Redwoods

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photo by Donald Kinney

Wednesday morning it looked like there was a break in the clouds, so I thought I should hurry out to Roy's Redwoods and capture some jewels.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Little transparent beads -- just as pretty as pearls, if not more so.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Oh, it was thoroughly wet at Roy's Redwoods. And yes, my shoes and pant-legs got thoroughly soaked.



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photo by Donald Kinney

This has been a wild year for weather here in California. I can't remember a year when it rained so late in the season. If I am supposed to be building an arc, I didn't get the message.

So, be sure to stop back again tomorrow -- and tell your friends -- I have more of these bejeweled photos waiting in the wings.


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at Chimney Rock, Point Reyes

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photo by Donald Kinney

Well, despite all the distractions and photo-ops in Inverness, I finally made it to my destination -- the Chimney Rock plateau of Point Reyes National Seashore. That's Drake's Bay in the background, and of course those deer call this area home.

No photos of Tule Elk to show from this outing, but they're out there -- I'll try to track them down for you some day -- stay tuned.



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These two Sea Lions were having a bit of a squabble. I didn't spot any on this trip but Elephant Seals are common at Point Reyes. Also, of course, Harbor Seals.

What this area doesn't need is off-shore drilling! I think the Sea Lions would agree, at least on that.



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Chimney Rock is most noted for it's spectacular shows of wildflowers each year -- this is the time when they should be at their best -- but something has happened this year and the display is no where as dramatic as it usually is. What a disappointment.

This makes my third trip out to Chimney Rock recently -- the other times the wind was just too stiff for flower photography -- but there I was, on a relatively windless morning, among wildflowers that seem to be taking a year off. So strange, because the wildflowers in other parts of the county have been exceptional this year -- I guess Chimney Rock has it's own little climate zone way out there on the western tip of Point Reyes.



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But I found a few splendid samples of what is usually a vast expanse of color. This Indian Paintbrush was doing proud duty.


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Inverness, along the road to Point Reyes

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photo by Donald Kinney

Monday morning I found myself more-or-less in Inverness, along the road to Point Reyes. That's the silhouette of Elephant Mountain (((often called Black Mountain))) through the trees.



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Let me see, I might need a compass, but this is is a view from Downtown Inverness, looking north-east across the long finger of Tomales Bay -- the thin blue line in the photo -- along the road to Point Reyes.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Some people probably dream of waterfront property. Great location if you have some sort of boat -- it's along the road to Point Reyes.



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I've shown photos of this Dacha before -- CLICK and CLICK -- and I'll undoubtedly be showing you more in the future, but I snagged this shot (((above))) on Monday. I think the Dacha and the landscape offer a whole lot of peace and tranquility -- all easily obtainable along the road to Point Reyes.


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lets go to Chinatown!

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photo by Donald Kinney

Well, by now you may have figured out that this place I live -- Marin County -- is a beautiful area filled with variety, but without a doubt, being close to San Francisco has some definite advantages too.

Hey, lets go to Chinatown -- a mini trip to China -- pretty much complete with the sights, smells, sounds, and excitement of the land on the other side of the world.



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There is no dishonor in stopping by the Eastern Bakery for cookies.



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And we can pay our respects to Chinatown with curiosity and wonder. Or to get the full effect, navigate an impossibly crowded sidewalk, being as courteous as possible.

Add a bit of danger to the experience by stealing candid photos here and there, and you've got the perfect morning in San Francisco's Chinatown.

CLICK for the Wikipedia entry on San Francisco's Chinatown.


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the versatile Lagunitas Creek

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photo by Donald Kinney

The reflective surface of the Lagunitas Creek isn't always full of color, but that doesn't make it any less lively.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And even though this waterfall is only about a foot high, I think it is mighty impressive. Caution to boaters and swimmers upstream!



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Water with muted color, but with ample motion and direction.
Quick somebody -- call the Museum of Modern Art!



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And water that probably couldn't be any more colorful.
Yes, the Lagunitas is a very versatile creek -- it can do it all...


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more from Olema Cemetery

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photo by Donald Kinney

Towards the rear of the Olema Cemetery is a large monument. Minus the obligatory cross -- sorry God -- this is the top part...



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photo by Donald Kinney

...and this is the bottom part of the monument. As you can see, Mr. Tomasini lived to be 85 years -- he evidently came from sturdy Swiss stock.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Yes, human life is important, but I believe the flowers may, indeed, have us out-numbered.



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Now, this isn't a new photo (((I always let you know when they aren't))), and in fact it was shot in the Bolinas Cemetery about five miles south of Olema, but I thought I would include it because of it's craftsmanship. Nicely done, isn't it?

This last photo is from the Bolinas set on what I call my "Big" Site.


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Olema Cemetery, West Marin County

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photo by Donald Kinney

About half-way between Bolinas and Point Reyes Station is the microscopic remains of Olema, probably most notable because the San Andreas earthquake fault runs parallel to town.



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Olema has been a farming and ranching community dating back to the 1850's. And farming and ranching goes on, but now there is an uncomfortable mix of fast automobiles, sandwich shops, bed & breakfasts, and places with names like "Faultline" and "Epicenter" selling tee-shirts and manufactured curiosities.



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The Poppies love it -- the Olema Cemetery is full of sun. Kind of a lonely place though -- I'm always the only one there -- oh, well, maybe not quite.



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I guess they just went ahead and stuck this marble cross right into some freshly poured cement. It's probably not going anyplace soon.


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drama in the sky

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photo by Donald Kinney

Wild is about the only word that adequately describes the weather we've been having this year. I can't recall more rain over such an extended period. Animals are beginning to form pairs.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And with the rain; before, middle, and end; comes clouds. That's our beloved Mount Tamalpais trying on a few wispy things for size.



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Fog bank sweeping down over Sausalito, an upscale town on the northern side of the Golden Gate Bridge. This is a common sight. We love our fog, especially during hot summer months -- it provides natural air-conditioning for Bay Area residents.


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Ridgecrest Boulevard, Mount Tamalpais

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photo by Donald Kinney

I showed a horizontal view yesterday as the banner, but here it is as a vertical. I thought this would be even more dramatic, but I now I'm leaning towards the horizontal view as the better composition.

This (above) is a low spot on the ridge where fog collects. Mixed with sunlight it can be really impressive. I think it's bloody beautiful.



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Ridgecrest Boulevard follows the crest of the northern flank of our beloved Mount Tamalpais. Each year a few car commercials are filmed on this road. The scenery and feeling of open-space really can't be beat. Again, I think the area is absolutely beautiful.



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Clouds make large statements of light and shadow on broad hillsides.

Right now the hills couldn't be greener with all this rain we've been having, but these same hills will soon turn golden. No foolin'. I'll keep you posted.


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Creek reflections

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photo by Donald Kinney

Rather than howl at the moon, I like to look at the reflective surface of water and let it rip...



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photo by Donald Kinney

Reflections can be moody as in the previous photo, or they can be bright and rich. Or mottled, here, like textured stained glass.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Splotchy and colorful water.
Busy, and accomplishing ponderous things.



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Or still water.
Waiting perhaps to reflect the image of an Indian maiden.


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Bay to Breakers 2010

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photo by Donald Kinney

Well, each year every LOONIE in San Francisco -- and there's lots of them -- turn out for a grueling seven mile run across town. Many LOONIES actually run in the race, but these two (((in photo above))) were just standing by.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Above and beyond LOONINESS -- drama -- Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.



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Oh, it's no biggie.   Just another DING-A-LING.



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The British seemed a bit late for something.


BLOG UPDATE:

Hey -- another reason to celebrate -- this blog had another big day yesterday -- 424 "unique" visitors stopped by.
Nearly as many visited last Friday. My goodness... What is going on?


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