Wind Turbines

Wind Turbines
Originally uploaded by Wayne-K

Here are some wind turbines on the Altamont Pass. I'm not a fan of windshield photography, but the sun was setting as we were driving home from an AAU basketball tournament...and I've been wanting to capture these wind turbines for years.

Eagle Pride

Not to be out done, my daughter had her elementary school promotion today.  In this photo, she's receiving her certificate from the principal.  Her teacher is at the podium.

I can't believe she'll be in middle school next year!!

Go Patriots!

Go Patriots!
Originally uploaded by Wayne-K

Yesterday was my son's 8th Grade promotion. This is a painting on the inside of the gym, where the ceremony was held.

I can't believe he'll be in high school next year!

Memories From an Earlier Generation

76/365 - Memories From an Earlier Generation
Originally uploaded by Wayne-K

Auntie Pearl passed away in Dec 2009. While helping clean out her apartment, I came across her old camera and boxes of Kodachrome slides. It was pretty cool seeing the world through her eyes.

This is her Topcon Wink S Mirror Camera (circa 1960's).

Nature's Beauty

Plant (To Be Identified)
Originally uploaded by Wayne-K

I went hiking with a friend today on the Pleasanton Ridge. We were hiking up a wooded trail and I loved how the sun penetrated the trees and lit up these plants. The narrow beams of light allowed for beautiful lighting on the plant, along with a darker green background. The blurred background is created using a large aperture (small f-stop) and is called bokeh. Bokeh is derived from the Japanese word "boke" which means "blurred background created by a large aperture."

Clouds Rolling In

Clouds Rolling In
Originally uploaded by Wayne-K

Since starting my "photo a day" project a few months ago, photography has consumed my free time (just ask my Flickr widow....oops, sore subject)....and my running has been non-existent.

In the spirit of Galen Rowell, I decided to combine the two activities and jogged the ridge yesterday with my camera. Here are some clouds rolling in over the Pleasanton Ridge.

Looking Over the Children

Saint Elizabeth Sculpture at Night
Originally uploaded by Wayne-K

This is a sculpture outside St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Pleasanton, CA. I've been wanting to shoot this for a few months now, but the lighting has always been a challenge. Today, I decided to shoot it at night. I liked the illumination from the artificial lights on the inside of the sculpture and the remaining light in the sky lit the top of the sculpture well.

Fire Station 36 - Danville, CA

71/365 - Fire Station 36
Originally uploaded by Wayne-K

My cemetery visits this week were interesting. Many historical and prominent Pleasanton people are buried in the Pleasanton cemetery. Today, however, I needed a change of pace. The next time I see a cemetery, I hope it's from the other side of the grass.

This is the fire station in Danville, off Camino Tassajara Road.

Mr. Cazin's Resting Place

69/365 - Mr. Cazin's Resting Place
Originally uploaded by Wayne-K

The theme for my photography project this week is "Cemeteries." The Pleasanton Memorial Gardens Cemetery is located a few miles south of downtown Pleasanton. Walking around the cemetery over the last few days, I really felt the emotion and love within the fences.

The clouds were beautiful today, so I just had to get a super-wide angle shot that included the sky.

Belated Memorial Day

67/365 - Hyde Walter Frates
Originally uploaded by Wayne-K

I was backpacking yesterday with the Boy Scouts and wasn't able to get a good Memorial Day photo. I drove to the Pleasanton Memorial Gardens Cemetery this afternoon and captured this image of a veteran's tombstone. Thank you to all veterans for your service.