Chasing Seagulls

California Pacific Ocean -- How many shots does one need of seagulls? I have more than enough. Rather than shoot another portrait of a gull, I thought I would sneak up close, then run toward them and shoot away.

On Safari in Monrovia

Monrovia -- (Not to be confused by Monrovia, Liberia, Africa). Diversity is no stranger to Los Angeles. Even our landscape can change from the congestion of downtown LA to the secluded woods of Monrovia Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Today ended a weekend of camping with the Scouts. There were about 40 of us spread throughout the campground above LA. Pancakes, eggs and of course a combination of Starbucks and Pete's coffee rounded off this mornings sunrise breakfast.

My friend Ed, pictured above, is loading up his 1983 Land Rover 110 for the drive back to reality. Although, who can complain about living here in the foothills of Los Angeles?

Creepy-Looking Kelp Lines Bay

Half Moon Bay, CA -- Our goal was to find Mavericks; home of some of the world's largest waves. Surfers risk their lives riding 60-foot monsters a half-mile out from shore. Although today's surf was considered "flat" by locals, we still got to see 11-footers crashing on the rocky outcroppings.

The walk out to Mavericks made quite an impression on me. The kelp was thick and mostly dried by the sun. Colors I'm not used to seeing on the Southern California beaches. It was a beautiful display of an ecosystem in process. Flies and all!

Man's Best Friend Bears Ring for Wedding

Universal City, CA -- A few weeks ago I had the honor of being 2nd shooter for a wedding next door to world-famous Universal Studios Hollywood. Photographer Neil Vance gave my wife and I the opportunity to team up and cover a rather large gathering of friends and family.

The entire wedding party were great to work with, especially the ring bearer: he walked on all fours....

Happy Veterans Day

Venice Beach, CA

LA Foothills

Corona, CA -- On a clear day, viability can be more than 100 miles. Winds from the North/East help as heated, desert air whisks up and over the mountain into the LA basin, making for picture-perfect days.

Beautiful Central California

Pinnacles, CA -- During our seven-day road trip up to and around San Fransisco, we took side roads in search of worthy photo subjects. Amber and I stopped at barns, cows, rainbows, and even unique road signs. People are the coveted choice for subjects but we took what we could find. We were on a quest with no restrictions other than daylight.

One of our goals was to capture as many windmills as we could. After a while, the windmills started looking the same and lost part of their mystique, accept this one. Like most good photographs, the subject is nothing without an outstanding background.

Backyard Windmill Experience

Cambria, CA -- Although Cambria is a four-hour drive north of Los Angeles, it still counts as an "LA experience" since one could drive there for the day. Okay..., 287 miles (462 km) is a stretch, but we were on our way back to LA from our honeymoon! (one reason I haven't been posting for the last month)

One of the challenges we set for ourselves on our seven-day road trip was shooting every windmill we saw. Some turned out well while others where a faint blur while driving 75 mph. All in all, we captured a fair amount of classic, Americana style mills. Some were a bit more difficult to get to, but we managed.

On the left is our finished product. This is someone's backyard.

One Big Donut

La Puente, CA -- The art of vernacular architecture is somewhat lost. I would image one reason for not building structures in the form of their product or service is due in part of city inspectors. It practically takes an act of congress to have a home addition approved in Los Angeles, let alone a two-story shoe-shaped building selling Nikes.

I happened upon this place by accident. I am a sucker for doughnuts (sometimes spelled "donut") but this time I fought my weakness and took the shot rather than a chocolate-covered glazed.

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