Solar Environment

Anaheim, CA -- Next door to Disneyland (literally), is the Anaheim Convention Center where the Solar Power International 09 was held this week.

It took me five hours to walk the show. Thousands of business people from all over the world swarmed the floor with bags stuffed with literature on the latest solar technology. I was there on business--photography is not my vocation but I was tempted to go back after work and use up a couple SD cards on all the fascinating people and gadgets. Instead, I made contacts, and did business like the men in the glass booth which, of course, pays for my avocation: photography.

Your's Truly

Los Angeles, CA -- It's hard to resist a good restroom, graffiti on the mirror and a self-portrait in LA.

Honey in a Mason Lot

El Monte, Ca -- A queen bee attracts workers in a Masonic Temple parking lot. Not sure whether the bees were Africanized or not, I got as close as I could without disturbing the frenzied friends. The sound of my shutter clicking eventually got the attention of three, hot-tempered buzzers. They took after me but I pulled away and ran back to my car.

"I'm coming to join you, Elizabeth!"

Pasadena, CA -- During a short walk the other day I couldn't help but notice this classic collection of vehicles in front of Fyre Guard. I paused for a few moments and waiting for either Fred or Lamont to pull up. I swear I saw a silhouette of Esther in the doorway as well as heard the TV show's theme song in the background. At least I had hope.

End of Season

Arcadia, CA -- Although their team won, the coming of the seasons end is a reality. Now they prepare for the playoffs.

The Road to Inspiration

Pearblossom, CA -- Sometimes it takes flat planes, simple lines and a dash of color to inspire the imaginative.

Blue

Venice Beach, CA

Kick out of Skywatch Friday

Decentralized Entomology Lab

East Mojave Preserve -- Preparing for a day of hunting insects. Interesting how some of us choose to spend a weekend.

More Sticks

Continuing on the theme of sticks. America's love affair with junk food, convenience and goofy eateries.

Walking Stick

Pomona, CA -- Near the entrance of the Pumpkin Festival was a man holding a gigantic, black scorpion. At first we thought it was a fake, but after moving in closer, we all confirmed it was legitimate.

So, we followed the signs to the Insect Fair and got our share of bugs and reptiles. Among the scorpions and snakes were hissing cockroaches, walking sticks (like the one above), beetles, and African millipedes the length of a garner snake!

The best part is that you can hold them....

2 Plus Two

Pasadena, CA -- Another beautiful day in the Crown City.

The Pumkin Festival

Pomona, Ca -- Each year around this time, Cal Poly Pomona, Collage of Agriculture opens its barn doors to the public to sort through thousands of pumpkins. Each pumpkin is $5.00, or five for $20.00.

If you live near LA, they are open again today (Sunday) from 8:00am to 5:00PM. They also have a petting zoo, homespun entertainment, and activities for both kids and adults! If you like fresh squeezed lemonade, funnel cake and kettle corn, you don't have to go to the fair, it's all here.

They also have a terrific farmers market run by the students.

Best of all, it's FREE to get in! For more information, click on The Pumpkin Festival.

Sign of the Times

Los Angeles, CA -- Afternoon light shines on the red tile roof of The Los Angeles Times Building in Downtown LA.

In 1934 (when architect Gordon B. Kaufmann designed the building), who would of thought that a brick and mortar building would be mostly replaced by silicon chips, wi-fi and LCD screens?

Good Morning, Friday

Venice Beach, CA -- A layer of haze obscures the California horizon as a woman reaches for the heavens.

Rolling

Men and their toys

Men are from Mars...

Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, and some boys are from their own world.

I took this shot while visiting Devil's Punchbowl on the north side of the San Gabriel Mountains, about 90-minutes from Downtown Los Angeles. I asked the boy and his parents if I could take his photo. The kid was a little shy but the parents thought it was a great idea. Free press--what the heck!

Picking the Best Photo

"Hey Kids," I said with the camera pressed against my face. "Act natural and look at the lens."

I held down the shutter release and popped off a half-dozen frames within a second and a half.

I "picked" the best shot out of six.

County Fair

Los Angeles County Fair

Autumn is Here

Thanks to a recent cold snap, we seem to be getting a small display of Fall. It's almost time to start chopping wood and cleaning out the furnace. Oh, but wait..., this is Southern California and we are not supposed to have a Fall, are we?

Ride `em Grandma!

Up in the Sky

Long Beach, CA -- The Walter Pyramid is one the most recognizable landmarks at California State University, Long Beach, if not the whole city. The 18-story, blue corrugated structure houses three full basketball courts, five volleyball courts and also has a full-service fitness center and an educational conference center.

A Lone Cross in the Desert

Palmdale -- Although I took this shot last December, it reminds me of the people we have lost in our lives. Perhaps the cross means something different to everyone; it is a symbol of torture, pain, sacrifice, forgiveness, love, hate, loss, peace, and most recently a memorial to the veterans of WWI in the East Mojave Preserve.

Bounty of Fall Fruit

Lake Arrowhead, CA -- A short walk yielded a nice collection of tasty snacks.

The LA County Fair

I go to the LA County Fair for basically two reasons: The animals and the people-watching.

...and if you are lucky, sometimes you can even feed them.

The Edison Family

Dying Dairies of Chino

Chino -- "No Trespassing" signs were everywhere, but that was only an invitation to walk through a few abandon dairies. It was sad to see the empty fields and vacant ranch homes across the road from new housing developments. Many of the dairies remain mostly intact, except for broken windows, boarded up doors and a few leftover tools and machinery.

It wasn't long ago that you could smell Chino from miles away. Many were offended by the odor; I wasn't and am still not. I like the fact that here in Los Angeles, we have a little bit of the "country" less than an hour away from LA's concrete jungle.

Chino even has it's own prison and a cafe' called "Flo's" with men in John Deere caps and overalls. No kidding.

Did you know that according to the USDA, California has been the USA's leading dairy state since 1993. California also leads in total milk production, supplying about 19% of the nation milk. But we are only second to Wisconsin in cheese.